Leadership Development Inspired by Northern Ireland
Key Highlights & Thoughts of the Week
- The true strength of leadership lies in unity, not control.
- Real progress happens when leadership mentality shifts toward inclusion.
- The new generation wants collaboration, not division.
- Leadership development is not just for leaders—it’s for every team member.
- Nobody knows the real power of inclusion until they’ve been excluded.
Takeaways
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Reflections from Belfast: A Journey of Progress
Some time ago I had the pleasure of being a (return) guest speaker for the Management & Leadership Network’s 20th anniversary conference in Belfast.
It was going to be a magnificent conference that celebrated the leadership development and growth across the nation in all industries and aspects. It was a time to recognise brilliant leadership mentality so many had now adopted to support and lead their teams.
When I arrived in the hotel lobby, waiting to check in, I spent a moment taking in the scene around me. The lobby was full of accents from across the globe: a real cosmopolitan, international mix of clientele. A very different lobby than 20 years ago when I spoke at their first event. It was a very good first sign of how far the leadership development has come.
This week has marked 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of sectarian violence and opened new opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation.
My trip to Belfast coinciding with this historic milestone has given me space to reflect on the scale of the changes in Northern Ireland over the past 2 decades, and how society and a new generation have become empowered to lead the progress.
A Nation Transformed: From Sectarianism to Shared Purpose
The sectarian divide had long been a deeply entrenched aspect of Northern Irish society, with religion and politics often inextricably linked. Catholic children had catholic friends, and protestant children protestant friends. The two were not to mix, kept separate by community boundaries, sectarian schools, and the societal expectation placed upon them.
How Has Leadership Development Changed?
Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, a new generation of children has grown up; a more open, embracing, global generation which has seen past sectarian division. The leadership mentality across the nation as shifted in the positive way it needed to.
This generation, growing impatient of stagnation in Stormont and an unwillingness of some politicians to move forward, has begun pushing for a society which reflects their values.
This new generation’s leadership mentality is not about religion; it is about common values, aspirations, and a shared vision for the future.
This is reflected in the political landscape. The non-sectarian Alliance party won the third highest number of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, 4.5% more of the vote than they gained in 2017, and double the number of seats.
Older voters tend to stick with the DUP and Sinn Fein, while more young people are switching to Alliance. They want change, and a more open future, and they know where they will be listened to.
Lessons for Business: What This Teaches Us About Leadership
I can’t help but draw parallels between the changes in Northern Irish society and the shifting landscape of modern businesses.
Just as Northern Ireland has undergone a transformation, businesses too must embrace change and adapt to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world. Leaders in business have to take initiatives for their own and their team’s leadership development. It’s time for more leaders to embrace a leadership development program for their team. Leadership mentality isn’t just for the leader, it’s for every colleague of every team.
To thrive, businesses must foster a culture that encourages innovation and welcomes new ideas from all levels. There needs to be a desire for leadership mentality to change – allow leadership development to flurry by adapting and embracing the new world around us.
How Can the Right Leadership Mentality Be Adopted?
Employees should be empowered to “challenge up and support down,” allowing for the flow of ideas to be bidirectional. This culture will enable companies to capitalise on the pace and power of change that new ideas can bring, resulting in better performance and morale.
In contrast, businesses that spend too much time debating over changes and sitting in stalemates, like the Northern Ireland Assembly, risk losing their best people to other businesses that are more adaptable and forward-thinking.
The new generation of leaders emerging in Northern Ireland shows us that embracing change and creating an environment where everyone’s voice is heard is the key to success. Businesses that do the same will be better equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow and stay ahead of the curve.
Conclusion: Leadership is Shared, Not Possessed
True leadership is not about authority or power—it’s about people.
It’s about showing up, creating space for others to be seen, and embracing change even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether in Belfast or the boardroom, the message is the same: leadership is about unity, humility, and growth—together.
Top Tips for Becoming an A-Player
- Ensure every voice is heard.
- Stand up for the marginalised.
- Take the time to meet someone different from you.
- Don’t buy into stereotypes.
- Nothing beats welcoming a stranger.
Further Reading & Learning
Learn more about how to achieve positive leadership development:
https://www.carayol.com/leadership-development/
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