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On Thursday 4th February a crowd gathered at the Guinness Storehouse anticipating the arrival of the conductor Itay Talgam. The event was not a gala concert but the return of the Turnaround Table: Orchestrating the Turnaround. Over 50 leaders from a wide spectrum of sectors gathered, some of whom had previously participated in the Turnaround Series, others who came for the first time not simply as a audience but to generate ideas and be part of the future imagined by our exciting speakers: an economist, an entrepreneur and a conductor!

An Economist: Professor Ray Kinsella, Director of the Centre for Insurance Studies, UCD and author of 'Restoring Trust in Banking' was on hand to offer us his economic perspective. Ray took an unusually philosophical approach for an economist, emphasising the need for a new attitude towards 'needs' over 'wants'. Challenging those present to reconsider their mindset and attitude saying 'Just because something is not illegal does not make it right'. Professor Kinsella certainly left us with plenty food for thought about our role as ethical, values led leaders in the future of Ireland Inc.

An Entrepreneur: Ian McClean shared some insights from his experience as both consultant and business owner about the loneliness of leading through challenging times and of the expectations that rest on the shoulders of the leader. Often followers who hope for clairvoyance and omnipotence are left disappointed when superman/superwoman fails to arrive as leaders face into previously uncharted territories not knowing all the answers. Ian reminded us that, as leaders we are responsible for directing and channelling the positive energy and engagement of our employees at all times by honouring the danger of the situation but focussing on the opportunity.

Click here to read about our 7 Steps to Engaging Leadership.

A Conductor: Itay Talgam, world renowned conductor and speaker brought the event to a crescendo with his unique insights into the role of the leader. Asking us to abandon the comfort of our tables he drew us to the front of the room and into the fascinating world of conducting. Using selected video clips to highlight different conducting styles, the group debated the merits of the each approach and how it relates to leadership as we understand it. Itay spoke of the importance of trust and rapport between a leader and his/her team; of providing a clear vision for success and at the same time the space to be creative, push boundaries and do something different. Itay finished by showing us the legendary Leonard Bernstein whose emotional connection with his orchestra and music provoked musicians to do extraordinary things under his leadership.

The discussion was then turned over to the leaders seated around 7 tables, each facilitated by an Ian McClean facilitator. Participants first discussed the challenges they are currently facing, sharing their experiences from a wide spectrum of industry including banking, recruitment, sports governing bodies, insurance and manufacturing.

The Businesses Represented were as Follows:

Sigmar Recruitment VHI Dublin City Council HBC Café de Cuba Diageo FLOW International Xilinx Grafton Recruitment Interim Executives WIT IRB OSK Zed Candy Chartered Accountants Ireland Citi ServiSource

Insurance Institute of Ireland Bank of Ireland AIB Mary Jennings & Associates The Gift Voucher Shop UCD Niall Glynn & Associates Glynn & Associates Google Scobie Junor Ireland Bearing Point Decent Cigar Metroplex Guinness Storehouse Medguard Danone MERC Partners

Click here to download an outline ot the Challenges and Solutions
which were tackled on the day.

Click here to download the 'Word Art' from the day.