September 2023 BC

This month we are back with a juicy topic, Leadership and Organisational Culture. We have all seen the news articles and the word ‘Culture’ is used in a wide variety of ways, but what does it mean for us as Leaders? For example: 

• How do we identify or recognize our organisational culture? 

• What makes up culture in an organisation? 

• What is our responsibility for culture as leaders? 

• How can we change a culture and foster a positive working environment? 

We lined up two excellent speakers who have lots of thoughts on Culture and Organisations. One is the CEO of an organisation voted one of Ireland’s 150 Best Employers for the last three years in a row. The other is a consultant who works with organisations on organisational design and culture, and has led and consulted on several change and transformation projects. 

Our Speakers 

Averil Power is the CEO of The Irish Cancer Society, Ireland’s largest cancer charity. The Irish Cancer Society is a community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers, working for a future where no one dies from cancer.  Averil is leading transformational change within the Society and the wider cancer environment. Averil has almost 20 years’ experience of policy-making, strategic leadership and campaigning as a charity leader, Senator and Government advisor. She has a degree in Business, including nonprofit management, from Trinity College and is a qualified barrister. Averil is respected in the public space as an advocate and change-maker and was a recipient of a Woman of the Year award for her work on marriage equality 

Lisa-Nicole Dunne founded Mantra Strategy in 2020 after spanning automotive, education, financial services, telecoms and nonprofit fundraising and leadership roles with UNICEF, Focus Ireland, and finally as CEO of CMRF Crumlin. She led the merger of the charity with Temple Street Foundation, now Children’s Health Foundation.  During her MBA in 2002, and subsequent Diploma in Psychology, she found her love of organisational design and culture, and has led and consulted on several change and transformation projects with a human-centred lens.  Lisa-Nicole has recently launched the Mantra Strategy Leadership Institute empowering purpose, impact, and inclusion in leaders and future leaders. 

Some takeaways from the conversation on Organisational Culture: 

• It is a journey 

• It is everyone’s responsibility in the organisation, but senior management are responsible for ensuring that all staff feel empowered to speak up and introduce change 

• Compassion and empathy should be practiced with teams and colleagues 

• Be sound!