The Class of 2026 gathered on 4 December for a morning dedicated to communication, influence and the skills that underpin effective leadership. We were warmly welcomed by the MAC Belfast, whose team looked after us exceptionally well throughout the session.
The morning began with an engaging session on influencing skills, led by Gordon Parkes, Executive Director of People and Culture at NIE Networks and a long-standing member of the Fellowship Advisory Board. Gordon invited Fellows to explore the foundations of personal impact by reflecting on purpose, behaviour and the subtle dynamics that shape how messages are received. His emphasis on self-awareness, active listening and conscious communication offered Fellows practical tools for enhancing their leadership presence, no matter the context.
The session then continued with Dorcas Crawford, conflict management specialist and founder of The Better Way, who delivered a thought-provoking workshop on mastering difficult conversations. Dorcas introduced her structured six-step method for approaching challenging discussions and guided Fellows through the essential elements of this method. Her workshop underlined the importance of listening with curiosity and creating a culture where difficult issues are addressed early and well.
The final Fellowship session of 2025 reinforced a central theme of the Fellowship: that healthy leadership is rooted in the ability to communicate with intention and integrity.
We extend our sincere thanks to the MAC Belfast for hosting us so generously and to Gordon and Dorcas for sharing their expertise with such openness and insight.
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