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Leadership and focus

Focus, focus, Fcous. CDPB programme manager Zachary Hutchinson asks the question, “how do I minimise the risk of leading myself and others in the wrong direction?

Did you watch the Olympics this year?

As the nations descended on Paris, many of us in our offices and at home took up the mantle of an expert in lesser known sports: the 10m synchronized diving, mountain biking, and fencing to name a few. Another example is shooting. Who knew you could be so invested in a sport you watch once every four years? Part of becoming an expert for the month involves researching likely gold medal winners, up and
coming talents, and some of the sport’s historic moments.

Perhaps the most infamous moment in Olympic shooting came in Athens in 2004, when twenty-three year old American Matthew Emmons made worldwide news with his performance in the men’s 50m rifle three-position final. Having already won gold in another category two days earlier, Emmons’ momentum carried on as he established a significant lead over his nearest opponent. As his final shot approached, he focused in on his target, going through the motions like he had done throughout the Olympics and the countless hours of training before that. Emmons fired his rifle. He looked up at the target to see his shot had secured him another gold.

But then he looked up at the scoreboard: ‘Emmons – 0’. He shot at his opponent’s target. Matthew Emmons would go on to finish eighth and travel back to Browns Mills, New Jersey, with only one gold medal around his neck. The Independent in the UK reported at the time, “Matthew Emmons is a trained accountant, but he got his numbers terribly wrong yesterday.” How could an expert in focusing on precise details make such a monumental error?

Leaders can become so intently focused on professional – and personal – targets that they hit the incorrect one. Out of an admirable desire to lead with strength and health, to achieve success, and gain influence, leaders can lead themselves and others to the wrong destination (or target); both metaphorically, and in some cases, literally.

The question, however, is not “how do I know what the right direction is?” Rather, we must ask of ourselves, “how do I minimise the risk of leading myself and others in the wrong direction?”

There is no correct answer. However, here are two malleable suggestions that have immensely shaped how I lead myself and others.

Number one: Get someone to ask the hard questions.

Someone that helps us ask the right questions of ourselves is vital to ensure we lift our head above the parapet and evaluate where we are and where we are going. Whether it be a family member, close friend, or professional colleague, having someone ask the hard questions will prevent you learning the hard way. They can help you navigate your target and change direction if necessary.

Number two: Take time to reflect.

Leadership can be all consuming. To consistently maintain strong performance and lead others requires time, effort, and energy. But if you fail to take time to reflect you will be unable to steer, keeping your head down – going from one meeting to the next, or one leader’s retreat to the next – hurdling towards a target you can’t even remember is the right one. It is important to regularly carve out space to take time to reflect.

To take a moment and evaluate where you are and where you are going. To review your inner compass. Often this practice is best executed as a rhythm. It can be as simple as taking ten minutes every day and one hour every week, to pause, reflect, and assess if the target you are aiming for – or the direction you are leading in – is actually the correct one.

Regardless of whether you are a successful leader, or a struggling one, we must all ensure we minimise the risk of leading ourselves and others in the wrong direction.

It does not matter if you won a gold medal two days ago.

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Reimagining leadership: being open to insight will help us pave the way to a brighter future

Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office

Leadership is often perceived as a final destination, a pinnacle reached after years of experience and hard work. However, I believe it’s how you approach the journey that sets you apart and to be an agent for change you must embrace opportunities to learn from others.

I gained great insight and perspective from taking part on a recent development programme. The power of collaboration across sectors was evident on the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building’s Fellowship Programme. Participants have the unique opportunity to engage with professionals from various sectors — community, business, political, and more — creating a rich tapestry of expertise and insights.

Meeting people from a range of sectors that I wouldn't ordinarily deal with made me realise that they are dealing with the same issues. There was lots of shared learning.

This cross-sector networking is particularly valuable in a place like Northern Ireland, a region so small that there is no excuse for silo working and not having joined up approaches to societal challenges.

I found working with people at different career stages to be a formative experience. I probably learned most from some of the people who were at the early stages of their career because they just had very different approaches, very different ways of looking at things.

This made me appreciate the traits of modern leadership: the ability to adapt and integrate new perspectives, especially from younger generations who bring fresh ideas and a deeper understanding of contemporary tools and trends. It’s a reminder that effective leadership is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about being open to receiving it from all quarters.

A transformative approach to leadership is what is needed in Northern Ireland if we are to progress past the usual stumbling blocks. By valuing continuous learning, embracing cross-sector collaboration, and integrating fresh perspectives, we can reimagine and redefine what it means to lead in today’s society and pave the way for a brighter future.

To learn more about the Fellowship Programme and apply, visit our website.

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An opportunity to reimagine leadership: Northern Irish leaders urged to apply for Fellowship

The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has opened applications for its 2024/25 Fellowship Programme for leaders in politics, business, and civic society in Northern Ireland.

The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has opened applications for its 2024/25 Fellowship Programme for leaders in politics, business, and civic society in Northern Ireland.

Now in its fourth year, the Fellowship Programme has over 70 alumni, including Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald MLA. It invites 24 ambitious leaders on a seven-month journey to reimagine and pave a new, prosperous future for Northern Ireland. The programme seeks to support the peace process, foster innovation and capacity building, and encourage collaborative decision-making so that leaders across society are strengthened and equipped to navigate complexity and deliver real change for the benefit of all.

The Fellowship Programme is supported by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Irish American Partnership, as well as some of Northern Ireland’s biggest employers including Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks and Ulster Carpets. The programme aims to support and equip participants to take on some of Northern Ireland’s most complex political, business, and civic challenges.

Through bespoke sessions delivered by leaders in the top of their field including Oxford academics and diplomats, Fellows are challenged to step outside of their comfort zone and harness the spirit of possibility, tackling important issues such as climate and energy, policy and governance as well as taking part in the popular residential sessions at the University of Oxford and in Dublin.

This year’s Fellowship Programme was launched by the First and deputy First Ministers and Fellowship Advisory Board Chair, Darragh McCarthy at Parliament Buildings.

They were joined by alumni from last year’s programme; Cheryl Brownlee MLA for East Antrim, Jason Bunting, Parliamentary Advisor to Sinéad McLaughlin MLA, Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General at the Northern Ireland Audit Office, Gareth Edwards, Vice President for Compliance at FinTrU, Deborah Erskine MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Róisín Wood, CEO of Community Foundation NI, Chloe Ferguson, President of the National Union of Students UK in Northern Ireland, Áine Murphy MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Amy Gribbon, Manager of Forthspring Inter Community Group.

Fellowship Advisory Board Chair, Darragh McCarthy, said:
“The Fellowship Programme speaks for itself as a fantastic platform for ambitious Northern Ireland leaders, as witnessed by the talented group of people at this year’s launch at Stormont and our partners are proud once again to support the scheme for another year. It is brilliant to have the support of the First and deputy First Ministers for this important programme, to recognise the potential in bringing these cohorts together to spark new conversations about the future of Northern Ireland. I look forward to seeing what unique and varied skills the next Fellows will bring and how they will shape each other for the better as leaders in society.”

Applications for the 2024/25 Fellowship Programme will close on Wednesday 19 June. To apply or to find out more, please email fellowship@democracyandpeace.org or visit: fellowship.democracyandpeace.org

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Fellowship 2023/24 Graduation

On Thursday 14th April, we were honoured to join our 2023/24 Fellows at Hillsborough Castle for their graduation ceremony.

On Thursday 14th April, we were honoured to join our 2023/24 Fellows at Hillsborough Castle for their graduation ceremony.

It was an evening of celebration, as we looked back on the Fellows’ meaningful and insightful contributions over the last year. It was heartwarming to see so many close relationships and connections made throughout the Fellowship which will continue to thrive in the future.

The CDPB team would like to personally congratulate all of the Fellows. We are humbled and inspired by your commitment to making change and we cannot wait to see the impact you will continue to make for all in Northern Ireland.

 

Fellowship Programme session at FinTrU

Our latest Fellowship Programme session was hosted by FinTrU on February 22.

We are grateful to deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP, and the US Consul General James Applegate for contributing to the morning’s events. We were all thrilled to have them join us and hear their inspiring words.

Fellows were also treated to an insightful seminar and discussion from Fellowship Programme partner Ulster Carpets on adapting and leading in an evolving global market.

Many thanks must also go to FinTrU CEO and advisory board member Darragh McCarthy for leading an engaging and entertaining session on entrepreneurship as well as hosting the session.

The day was rounded off by presentations by our Fellows on their Design Thinking projects that have been carried out throughout the duration of the 2023/24 programme. Our Fellows presented on education, engaging young people in democracy, and climate action in the local community.

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Fellows travel to Dublin for residential

Following on from our Fellowship Programme session in December with Bauer Media NI, Newtownards, our Fellows travelled down to Dublin for the next instalment of the 2023/24 programme.

The Fellows were treated to a fascinating series of discussions focusing on leadership in reconciliation and the arts, including members from the Houses of the Oireachtas, The Irish Times, Royal Irish Academy, Irish Museum of Modern Arts, Citi Bank, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ciarán Ó Cuinn, and Tim O’Connor.

We would like to offer our thanks to our Fellows for a fantastic and constructive residential and to our colleagues and hosts for their support and hospitality.

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