Wexford winners at national leadership awards

WEXFORD’S KAREN HACKETT AND MICHELLE O’NEILL HONOURED AT THE 2023 LIFT LEADERSHIP AWARDS.

Everyday leaders across the business, sport, not-for-profit, and community sectors have been honoured at this year’s LIFT Ireland’s Leadership Awards held in Dublin on 14th February 2023. The annual event celebrates those people who embody values that underpin effective leadership in their communities and in Ireland.

Soccer referee Michelle O’Neill and Permanent TSB’s Head of People Karen Hackett, both from Co. Wexford, were amongst the leaders recognised this year. Wexford's Karen Hackett of PTSB was presented with the ‘Listening’ category award, with the organisers noting that, “Listening with an open mind allows us to learn. It also shows respect to the experience and perspectives of others. Listening provides a means for resolving conflict and solving problems.” A testimonial from one of Karen’s nominess says: “Karen is someone who genuinely and selflessly listens and works for the greater good of team, and not for her progression. She invites different views and opinions, and promotes an environment of diverse thinking, deliberately seeking out those who are different to her.”

Michelle O’Neill was the winner of the Accountability award, with the organisers noting that, “Accountability means both taking public and private responsibility for one’s own actions and additionally being willing to hold others accountable for their actions and behaviours. It enables high levels of performance and ensures that standards are maintained.

Michelle O’Neill is a League of Ireland Referee and FIFA International Assistant Referee. Michelle is the first Irish football match official to officiate at an Olympic Games which was held in Tokyo in 2021. In 2019, Michelle became the first ever Irish person to officiate at a World Cup Final, USA v Netherlands, which was followed closely by being selected to officiate as part of the first ever female refereeing team to officiate at a men’s Supercup Final in Istanbul between Liverpool and Chelsea in 2019.

A testimonial from one of Michelle’s nominees says: “Everything Michelle does is rooted in accountability - both for herself and for others. For herself - she is very clear on her goals. Her dedication is evident in the way she sets her objectives and plans carefully to get there. She breaks her goals down into smaller actions and sets daily and weekly targets. She has a strong sense of personal responsibility - and commits to each of the smaller targets as part of getting to the overall goal. She doesn't make excusesbut seeks to focus on what she can control.”

The award categories align with the ten leadership values most in need in Ireland today, which were identified by LIFT through proprietary research via national and independently-run surveys. They are: Listening; Positive Attitude; Honesty & Integrity; Respect; Accountability; Dedication & Determination; Competence; Empathy & Understanding; Innovation & Adaptability; and Resilience.

LIFT Ireland (Leading Ireland’s Future Together) is a social enterprise initiative aimed at increasing the level of positive leadership in Ireland. Only 1 in 5 Irish people believe that they can positively impact Irish society, but LIFT believe that everyone has the potential to do so. The organisation aims to deliver on this by rolling out a nationwide leadership learning programme via a volunteer facilitator network, with an overall goal of reaching 10% of the population within ten years. For more see www.liftireland.ie n