Culture shock comes close to describing my experience as a second generation Irish-American in Ireland.

I was frequently told that I needed to learn how to “act Irish”. Apparently this calls for a combination of politeness, passivity, not being direct, self-deprecation, an avoidance of self-promotion, and a tendency toward begrudgery.

Any attempt to fall back on my US-cultivated cultural norms around self promotion, assertiveness and confidence, earned me the label “cheeky,” or “bold,” or “troublesome.”

Personally and professionally, conformity seemed counterproductive at the height of the financial crisis. The negative impact on people’s mental and physical health and well being was palpable. Passivity, while the acceptable default response, seemed a significant part of the problem.

I came to believe that reflecting my contrary perspective, while “bold”, could help others appreciate that:

• A reluctance to self promote, a propensity to begrudge and a tendency to shame success, do not serve us well when competing in a 21^st century global economy.
• We can catalyse their own personal and communal change.
• We can take a chance on ourselves.

It’s the message I deliver in coaching and training individuals and small businesses in my private practice and to a wider audience via Neo Ireland.

To that end, Neo Ireland*:

• supports events that serve as an inspirational and educational outreach to SMEs and microbusinesses by providing them with business development support and exposure to wider networks
  • BizCampNI
  • Newry Creates
  • Women that Work

• supports “Newry Hackers”  by making space available to volunteers who mentor young people to develop their IT skills.
• echoes the positive stories and challenges the negativity we experience.
• discourages passivity and inspires a confidence that things can be better.
• encourages people to demand excellence in leadership across the public, private and third sectors.
• works to model tolerance, patience and the possibility of agreeing to disagree.

We invite you to join the discussions at any time via Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin.

*Closed in 2015, Empowering Change continues Neo Ireland’s outreach.

Embracing a Prosperity Process

 “It’s the economy, stupid”

Join us for all or part of an exploration of what it will take to move beyond the peace process to prosperity.

How can we choose to overcome our collective obstacles to change?

What are the obstacles?

________________________________________________________________

June 21st , 5:30-7:30pm

Attitudinal Changes

 What are the obstacles to our “parking” the National question? Critical if we are to accept that 6 million people are a stronger market if cohesive, than 4 + 2 million.  

How do we adapt our language to allow for it?

________________________________________________________________

July 26,  5:30-7:30 pm

Vision

How do we focus our efforts island-wide and regionally toward growing complementary centres of excellence. Is this potentially an antidote to approaching FDI and economic development competitively?

How do we  showcase the advantages of the border? We undervalue its attraction to businesses with the advantages of  choosing a jurisdiction while still providing workforce and resource availability from Dublin and Belfast.

________________________________________________________________

August 9th 5.30 – 7.30pm

New Structures & Systems

 A serious discussion about specific quick and long term fixes to realistically approach economic development and sustainability. 

What Public/Private partnerships might emerge to tackle infrastructure projects?

What efficiencies might be achieved in delivering quality health care in the border region?

________________________________________________________________

You may have so much more to suggest, we welcome it. Consider joining the conversation, if not for yourself, then to inspire someone else.

Chatham House Rules* will apply. There can be no movement forward without a full, fair and frank discussion. This is not the place for posturing or politics. We ask only for respectful participation. The intention here is not to create an organization or a movement. It is to empower, catalyse and intrigue.

Please RSVP; Coffee & Tea will be served between 5 & 5:30; a participation fee of £20/€24 is requested; it is waived for supporting members of Empowering Change in Emerald Valley. Enquire about membership or contact Eve. 

 

*“When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed”.