Mar
04

LIFT’s Leadership Values

LIFT Ireland’s 8 Positive Leadership Values

LIFT Ireland was built on a desire to change the country for the better by changing the way people view leadership. LIFT aims to do this through its eight-part, group learning process. Central to LIFT’s learning process are the leadership circles or roundtables and the 8 leadership values.

LIFT’s 8 leadership values were identified through national and independently-run surveys. During this period of research, national representative samples of the Irish population were asked to list the leadership attributes they felt our country needed to develop most. LIFT’s learning process was therefore developed by uniquely democratic means.

The 8 leadership values include:

Listening 

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.

Positive Attitude

Having a positive mental attitude allows people to motivate others, look for creative solutions, overcome obstacles, and deal with setbacks. A positive attitude towards life and tasks gives us the highest chance of success.

Honesty & Integrity

Having integrity means that we act and speak in a manner consistent with our principles and that we respond to situations honestly and courageously. Honesty is the solid basis for all healthy relationships. If we are honest, we can trust one another.

Respect 

Showing proper respect validates the dignity of others and at the same time enhances our own. Being respectful of the views and opinions of others (while recognising our boundaries) allows for the expression of differing perspectives.

Accountability

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.

Dedication & Determination

Achievement often requires hard work and can sometimes be difficult. Approaching tasks and situations with a mindset of determination and dedication often lends itself to higher achievement. It can also lead to a greater sense of fulfilment.

Competence

Competent people dedicate themselves to continuous learning, development and improvement, even when they have reached the top of their profession. This is inspiring to others and helps to build a team environment that values growth.

Empathy & Understanding 

By making an effort to understand others, we show that we care about their perspectives and experiences, even if we do not share the same view. The ability to understand and empathise with others is one of the greatest attributes that one can possess. 

Learn More About LIFT’s Leadership Learning Process

At each roundtable, a group will read specially assigned material exploring one of the course’s eight leadership values. During a series of subsequent action steps, participants are encouraged to share their opinions in a completely unbiased, non-judgemental environment. The 30 minute round table sessions are designed to allow the space for each member to fully reflect on what specific leadership values mean to them.

Learn more about LIFT’s leadership programme by clicking on the button below.

LIFT's Leadership Process
Feb
18

LIFTing Students – Facilitator Interview with TY Student, Cillian

“I was looking at the bins in our school and thought it such a shame that we weren’t doing more to separate our waste. I wondered if there was anything I could do about it. ”

We asked Cillian, a transition year student at CBC Monkstown in Dun Laoghaire if he’d noticed any changes in himself since becoming a LIFT facilitator. Cillian started to tell us a story about his school’s recycling system. The way in which a school separates their waste mightn’t seem like it has much to do with LIFT. However, in this case, it says a lot about personal development, taking action, standing out, and becoming a leader in everyday life. Before we get into that however, let’s get up to speed on Cillian’s story. 

LIFT Facilitator Training 

“I first heard of LIFT through my mother (Cillian’s mother is HR Manager with PREM, a LIFT partner). She was telling me about LIFT and how great it’s been for her and the people at her work. I’d never heard of LIFT before but decided it was something I wanted to try out.

I went along to my first facilitator training session in June (2019) and absolutely loved it. I found the process so simple yet hugely informative. There were people there from all walks of life and all different backgrounds. There were a few students and a lot of businesspeople, the ages ranged from about 14 to 60. Everyone seemed to get a lot out of it. So much of what was being discussed on the day reflected my own core values and I liked how accessible it was to everyone.”

While partaking in his first facilitator training, Cillian examined a LIFT banner which was adorned with signatures of past participants. While examining the banner, Cillian noticed a familiar name – it was one of the teachers. This set in motion Cillian’s effort to bring LIFT to his school. 

“I approached my teacher, Mr. Fitzmaurice about using LIFT’s leadership learning process at our school and he was all for it. The first roundtable I held was between myself and four of my friends. Over the course of eight weeks, we had eight lunchtime sessions together. The feedback was brilliant. Like me, the other students in the group enjoyed the discussions that came from examining the leadership values. The roundtables create a really safe environment where you can voice your opinion about something without it affecting anyone else.”

Sharing his LIFT Story

Having completed his first 8-week LIFT roundtable, Cillian shared his future plans with us. 

“It would be amazing to roll out LIFT to the entire school. I’m currently discussing this with the principal and other teachers. We’re trying to figure out the best approach. I think that all students would benefit hugely from LIFT. However, it’s also difficult to ask students to partake in roundtables during their lunch hour. We all have a lot going on already. For the time being, I am lining up my second roundtable group and I’m writing a piece about LIFT, which I will get to publish in our school’s yearbook. I’m also hoping to get the chance to speak about LIFT at the TY graduation.”

We’ve been very impressed by the drive and initiative that Cillian has shown since becoming a LIFT facilitator. It’s great to see a student with such enthusiasm for the programme. Cillian has shown himself to be a leader and an individual that’s not afraid to stand out and make an impact. There is no better example of this than when he saw an opportunity to change the way his school managed their recycling. 

“I was looking at the bins in our school and thought it was such a shame that we weren’t doing more to separate our waste. Everything was going into the one bin. I wondered if there was anything I could do about it and if there was anything I could do to better serve the environment. I approached one of my teachers and we agreed that something needed to be done. I’m delighted to say that now, our school is part of the ‘Green-Schools’ initiative. I think what I’ve learned through LIFT helped me to take action. ” 

Using LIFT’s Leadership Values 

Green-Schools is Ireland’s leading environmental management and education programme for schools. Green-Schools promotes long-term, whole-school action for the environment. The programme is operated and co-ordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce. 

“As part of the initiative, I’ve been speaking to other classes about sustainability, protecting the environment and the little things we can do to make our school more eco-friendly. LIFT has provided me with a solid base for giving these talks. Whenever I’m speaking to a class, I’m very conscious of the different beliefs and backgrounds of people in the room. I try to show respect, empathy and understanding. As for the talks themselves, competence plays a big part. Although I’ve never been too phased by public speaking, I’ve come to realise that confidence comes from competence. It’s amazing how interconnected all of LIFT’s values are when it comes to leadership. Oh, and when someone asks a question, I make sure to listen.”

“Students are under a lot of pressure at school. End of year exams can cause a lot of stress. But outside of that there’s a lot of peer pressure. It seems that everyone just wants to fit in and there’s huge pressure to do so. Some people don’t even understand what it means to stand out. It’s like standing out is a bad thing. 

For me personally, I’ve grown up with strong core values that guide what I do. I think that, in the same way, LIFT’s core values could really benefit students.”

We were delighted to get a chance to speak with Cillian. There are many incredible students involved in LIFT who have inspired us and will no doubt continue to inspire those around them. Cillian is definitely one of them. 

Want to hear from more of our facilitators? 

Would your school like to ‘Live LIFT’?
Fill out the form below and one of our team will get in touch with you shortly. 
Jan
30

Meet One of Our Most Inspirational Facilitators – Janette

Our Latest Facilitator Story – With Janette

We’ve been blown away by the level of commitment and enthusiasm displayed by our network of LIFT facilitators. The bedrock of LIFT’s leadership learning process are roundtables and it is the facilitators that guide participants through these roundtables. All along, we’ve understood the importance of the role. What we underestimated was the sheer drive, initiative and leadership shown by those involved. No one epitomises this more than Kildare teacher, Janette. Since first getting involved in early 2019, Janette has helped dozens of people to start to look at themselves as leaders. She has become a huge inspiration to us and many others. Recently, we spoke with Janette to hear her story.

“Leadership is Something That’s Already Inside Us”

“I first got involved with LIFT in March of last year and straight away I was hooked. What struck me about the LIFT programme was the accessibility of it. The values or skills of listening, positive attitude and empathy are qualities that we all possess. It’s not some foreign concept. Leadership is something that’s already inside of us, often it’s just that we’re not using it.

Along with another facilitator, I kicked off my first 8-week roundtable in May at the local community centre. Soon after this we organised another one which ran from late September to November. On both occasions we noticed the same trend. Participants often start out a little self-conscious or lacking confidence. However, over the course of the 8 weeks, they develop and grow. Their respect for one another and confidence within themselves goes up a level or two. I love experiencing that learning curve with them.”

Providing Students With Leadership Tools to Overcome Anxiety and Other Everyday Hardships  

It’s not just the participants in Janette’s roundtables that are being impacted by LIFT. Janette is a teacher at Inchicore College of Further Education. She has noticed how LIFT’s principles have helped her in her own career. 

“LIFT has helped me to be a better teacher. I’ve become much more aware of the role that listening, empathy, understanding, and positive thinking play in teaching. I also realised that I can help students develop their own leadership qualities. Take for example ‘accountability’. Before LIFT, I would have felt the need to constantly remind my students to hand in assignments on time. Now however,  I have passed the responsibility back to them and given them the space to hold themselves accountable. This has actually led to more assignments being handed in on time and students taking greater responsibility for their work.” 

After seeing the impact that LIFT had on participants in her local community, Janette decided that her students could also benefit from LIFT. At the time of writing, the College has introduced a pilot programme. A group of first year students are currently taking part. Janette’s vision is that LIFT will be embedded into the course and become a permanent fixture. Janette filled us on how they were getting on so far.

“The pilot programme started in January so it’s still only early days. However, there’s been a lot of positive signs so far. The students and teachers have been taking part in roundtable discussions together. This has already led to a greater respect and appreciation for one another. I’ve had students tell me that partaking in LIFT has helped with their confidence and made them better listeners. Some students found that they were being overly hard on themselves before and it was affecting their studies. Some have been suffering from anxiety and now feel like they have the tools to overcome it.

Becoming one of LIFT’s Most Active Facilitators

It was March 2019 when Janette first got involved with LIFT. Now, at the start of 2020, Janette’s schedule is already looking a lot different to last year. After introducing LIFT to the local community and her school, her schedule runs as follows: On Tuesday mornings she is with her students for a weekly roundtable discussion. On Tuesday evenings, there’s a new initiative in her local community centre. On Thursday mornings another group of students participate. With LIFT proving to be very popular amongst the locals, Janette has set up an ongoing schedule of roundtable discussion. The first group started in January and there’s already a number of people on the waiting list for the next installment. We are beyond grateful for Janette’s dedication and tireless effort. We asked her where this motivation comes from. 

“I think it comes from knowing how much LIFT has impacted my life and wanting to pass that onto others. LIFT has helped me at work, at home, it has strengthened my relationship with myself and others. When I was in university, we had a module on ‘reflection’. If you think about it, ‘reflection’ is something we rarely get a chance to do. With LIFT, you are constantly reflecting on your own behaviour whether that be reflecting upon how well you listened over the past few days or reflecting on the reading materials. The act reflection is a powerful thing. I wanted to introduce more people to that. 

I also think that LIFT is a real reality-check for people and I’ll explain what I mean by that. In today’s world, people view the lives of others through social media and they see perfection. Everyone showcases the best bits on social media platforms. It can feel like everyone is sailing through life without a worry in the world With LIFT however, you get to sit down with real people and hear about their struggles. You realise that everyone has their own hardships. There is something very reassuring about that. Although I’m a facilitator, I have my own struggles. I sometimes look back on my week and consider the leadership values. There are times when I might only rate myself a 1 out of 10 on listening or positive attitude and that’s okay. What’s most important is that I’m able to notice this and assess my situation. I’m grateful that LIFT has given me the tools to pick myself back up and keep going.”

We would like to say a huge thanks to Janette for speaking with us. We are very grateful for everything she’s done and are constantly inspired by her willingness to help others. We wish her nothing but the very best in the year ahead. Looking for some more inspiration?  Check out Colette’s story below.

Colette's Story
Jan
07

Partner Stories: Speaking with Louise Lombard of RSA Ireland

Building an “Inclusive Culture of Continued Development”

RSA is one of the world’s leading multinational insurance groups. Today, RSA employs over 12,500 people, serving 9 million customers in over 100 countries. The company has a long-standing reputation within Ireland too, and has been providing insurance solutions to the Irish market since 1721. RSA Ireland has teams in Dublin, Belfast and Galway. RSA also supports their customers through their affinity and broker channels as well as through its direct arm, 123.ie.

RSA Ireland is one of LIFT’s Founding Partners. Since 2018, the team at RSA has been rolling out LIFT’s leadership learning process and championing LIFT’s positive leadership values with its people. To find out more about their experience, we sat down with RSA Insurance Ireland’s Head of Culture, Communication and Engagement, Louise Lombard. As a LIFT Founding Partner, RSA has been an incredible ambassador and Louise has experienced the power of LIFT both in work and beyond. 

As Head of Culture at the RSA, Louise is responsible for “helping to develop a strong company culture, which encourages and supports our people in becoming the very best versions of themselves. The main aim for Louise is to build “an inclusive culture of continued development, with our people at the very heart of it; employees and customers.” Within RSA itself, their ‘Your Best U’ philosophy reflects their cultural aspiration to have everyone bring the very best version of themselves to work everyday.

‘We Didn’t Think We Had the Bandwidth to Become a LIFT Partner’

With RSA’s commitment and emphasis on building an inclusive culture for its people to flourish, the company is a perfect fit for LIFT’s leadership learning process. However, as Louise explains, initially RSA didn’t know if they had the capacity to adopt the LIFT process, let alone become a Founding Partner. 

“When we were contacted by LIFT, Joanne came into our office to meet our CEO and Director of People Success, Noelle Burke. We really didn’t think we’d have the time or the bandwidth to become a LIFT partner. We already had so much going on in our business. But the moment Joanne started to share the concept of LIFT, the positive leadership values it’s based upon and its simplicity, we were in. Since then we’ve trained a number of Facilitators across our business, we’ve held leadership roundtables in Dublin, Belfast and Galway and our Director of People Success Noelle Burke has joined the LIFT Advisory Board. We’re so delighted we got involved!” 

Integrating LIFT With RSA’s Own Values

LIFT’s leadership learning process is based on an eight week programme with a weekly focus on one of the eight key values of Listening, Positive Attitude, Respect, Competence, Dedication & Determination, Empathy & Understanding, Accountability, and Honesty & Integrity. While RSA champions the eight core values, they didn’t want to lose sight of their own. 

“LIFT’s 8 leadership values are incredibly powerful. But we also have four of our own here at RSA that form part of our ‘Be Your Best U’ philosophy – ‘Boundless Ambition’, ‘Be Better Everyday’, ‘Do the Right Thing’, and ‘Love Simplicity’. At RSA we have integrated both sets to form a combined group of twelve learnings. Combining the LIFT and RSA values has worked really well for us. The approach has helped us to take our values off pages and walls and bring them to life for our people. You can feel the difference that LIFT is making in our culture. All new members of the RSA team are introduced to LIFT through our Induction programme, where we watch one of our LIFT videos. All new recruits are auto-enrolled in an upcoming LIFT leadership roundtable. Of course everyone has the choice to opt out, although nobody has done so yet.

LIFT Ireland collaborated with RSA to turn LIFT’s 8 Leadership Values into a 12 part programme. Working together, creative teams at LIFT and RSA developed four new articles and learning materials which corresponding with the usual LIFT roundtable format. 

We encourage everyone across our organisation to get involved in LIFT. To date more than 50% of our ‘People Leaders’ have experienced LIFT. Introducing our leaders is a great way to spread the positive effect, given that they are the daily touch points for our people. Our overall ambition is that we double the number of those LIFTing in our Irish business in the short term.”

Sharing Personal Stories and Strengthening Relationships

RSA Insurance Ireland has become a model partner since first getting on board in 2018. In May 2019, RSA earned the Lifting Ireland award which signifies that 10% of the organisation is now Living LIFT. We asked Louise how this translates to everyday life in RSA.

“What we love about LIFT is that it’s so inclusive. Everyone can get involved in a roundtable as a member or as a Facilitator. It doesn’t matter if someone is an experienced team member, or a brand new recruit; everyone is treated as an equal. The result is that our people are more attuned to their values and actions. There is something so pure and well intended about the process that people really gravitate towards.

What has been an added bonus of LIFT are the bonds that have formed between people across our organisation. During roundtable discussions, people are discussing values and behaviours, sometimes sharing personal stories or opinions,  always in a very safe place. It has allowed our people to get to know one another in a much deeper way. This might not have been possible without LIFT. It has brought together people who work in different parts of our business or in different locations. These people might not usually get a chance to interact or get to know one another.”

A Better Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister and Friend 

As for Louise, the impact of LIFT has transcended the professional field into her everyday life. 

“I’ve definitely noticed the effect of LIFT in work but outside of work I’ve personally become much more aware. I think it has made me a better colleague but also a better mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. I often catch myself thinking about the values of LIFT when in different situations at home in the kitchen with my kids or talking with friends and family.”

Despite initially not being sure if becoming a partner was feasible, RSA has blossomed ever since and has become a hugely influential member of the LIFT network. We asked Louise what advice she had for organisations that are considering a LIFT partnership but might be somewhat hesitant.

“My advice to any organisations considering LIFT would be to just do it. We thought we were too busy and we had too much going on. Now LIFT has become a major part of what we do and who we are.

In terms of must-have internal processes, it’s near the top of our list. Beyond that, by being a LIFT partner you become part of something bigger than your organisation, your industry, your ecosystem. This is about changing Ireland for the better and creating a more positive future for the generations to come.  

We’ve become a very busy society and don’t often get a chance to stop, think, reflect upon our actions and share our thoughts and values with others. The more people that are Living LIFT, the better off our country and society will be. We’d become a much more empathetic, compassionate, inclusive, and above all else, kinder country. That can only be a good thing!”

We were delighted to get the chance to speak with Louise of RSA. She, along with Amanda Johnson, Noelle Burke and the RSA Group, have been huge inspirations to us. We would like to send a special thanks to Louise for sharing her thoughts. We’re delighted that LIFT has had such a powerful impact on her both on a personal and professional level. 

If you, or your organisation, are considering becoming a LIFT Partner, why not check out what’s involved by visiting our partner page below. 

Partners
Nov
27

Guest Blog Post – LIFT Youth Experience With Eimear

At LIFT Ireland, we want to help build a nation of positive leaders. Our goal is that, within 10 years, 10% of the population will have partaken in LIFT’s leadership learning process. Building a nation of leaders starts in our homes, schools, communities and sports clubs and goes all the way to our businesses and governing bodies.

Students across the country are already experiencing the benefits of LIFT. Many teenagers have used LIFT to develop skills, build strong leadership habits, become more responsible members of their communities and grow confidence.

One such student is Eimear, an inspirational transitional student who recently started work experience with LIFT Ireland. We asked her if she would share her thoughts on leadership, her experience with LIFT Ireland and what it means to be ‘living lift’.

Below, in her own words, is her LIFT story. We hope you enjoy it.  

Eimear’s TY Experience – LIFT Youth

My name is Eimear O’Neill. I’m a TY student in Confey College, Leixlip and also an intern here at LIFT Ireland!

Before becoming an intern, I wondered what I would be doing as I hadn’t done anything like this before. I was definitely a bit nervous at the start. On the 26th of July, I attended a facilitator training in a building beside Merrion Square. This is where my journey started I suppose.

“My Best Moment With LIFT Ireland”

My best moment with LIFT Ireland so far would definitely be the Zeminar event that took place in October. Myself and my five friends got to man the LIFT stand on the three days and we prepared everything for it too. For example we decided what everyone’s job was on the day to attract people to the stand, we planned what we would have at the stand, and I was also lucky enough to help create LIFT t-shirts that we all wore throughout the three days. It was a great experience for my friends and I.  It benefited us in many different ways, for me it was a real confidence boost.

LIFT has impacted my life in quite a few ways. When you read through the eight themes, you begin to realise how much better you could be approaching these aspects of life. It makes you start to really reflect on how you act in different situations. For example, my phone habit. I’m one to be always playing with my phone. However, because I’ve started to implement  LIFT’s values into my life, I’ve started to put my phone down when I’m in a room, or in a conversation, with others. I do this so I won’t be disrespectful towards them. It also helps me to really listen and understand what they are saying.  

“The Future Needs Confident Leaders”

I believe that LIFT is important for teenagers because we are the future. And the future needs confident leaders across the country and world. If we learn from a young age what it takes to be a good leader and how to make our country a better place, we can definitely change the future for the better.

Teenagers tend to act out without thinking. LIFT can change this as it teaches us aspects of life that we wouldn’t have otherwise taken into consideration. Well that’s how I think of it anyway.

I think the way LIFT roundtables are set up is really good. The small groups are nice because it makes you feel more comfortable than if you were doing it in front of a lot of people. I haven’t started a roundtable myself but I will be doing one very soon. A group of my friends and I will start doing them together in school. Then, in the New Year, we will facilitate roundtables for the 2nd years.  

The LIFT Theme That Means the Most to me

The theme ‘Positive Attitude’ means the most to me. This theme has had a huge impact on my life since doing the week of positive attitude in the facilitator training. There are situations that, in the past, I wouldn’t normally be happy about. But now I go into with a positive mindset. For example, I play the piano and have been playing since I was about 8 years old. As I improve I move onto higher grades. I am now on grade six of eight. I found it hard to play the pieces and resented going to lessons each week. I would go to practice but not with a good attitude. I now approach the piano with enthusiasm to improve.

The Leader I Most Admire

I’ve always admired Mary Robinson, mostly because she was the first woman president of Ireland. After leaving the United Nations she formed the Ethical Globalization Initiative and later set up the Mary Robinson Foundation for climate justice. I thought this very inspiring. She was a leader, and that means I could be too if I worked hard and put my mind on it.

Becoming a Leader

I will definitely use what I’ve learned from LIFT in the future in terms of a job and day to day interactions with people. I will approach new things positively and with an open mind. I could even start my own business if I wanted to.  That is why I think LIFT is important in Ireland. Everyone is a leader but not everyone knows that. LIFT helps people realise that they are capable of anything and can change the world for the better.

Best,

Eimear

You are never too young or old to make a change in your life. What will you do with the precious time that’s been given to you?

If you need inspiration, check out our Facilitator Stories. Discover how a mother of five, Colette, has rediscovered her sense of self worth and inspired those around her through Living LIFT. Follow the below link for the full story. 

Colette's story
Nov
20

Joanne Hession: The New York Times

New York Times: Women and Leadership 

A series of articles published this week by the New York Times will be of particular interest to the LIFT Ireland community.

Joanne Hession, who founded LIFT Ireland along with Sonya Lennon and David Hession, appeared in two articles published by the New York Times. These articles are part of a special section within the publication called ‘Women and Leadership’. With her experience as founder of an initiative promoting positive leadership change in Ireland, this was a natural fit. 

For the piece, Joanne took part in two interviews with New York Times journalists where she gave her take on starting a business and how to attract finance. It is great to see her words of wisdom setting the tone of both articles. 

In this particular series, Joanne found herself in great company. Other inspirational leaders who shared their insights included Kristen Miller and Amanda Johnson of Mented Cosmetics, Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez of TomboyX, and Amy Nelson of The Riveter amongst others. Ireland’s LuLu O’Sullivan of GiftsDirect.com and TheIrishStore.com, was also featured in the series. 

The New York Times is one of the most widely recognised publications in the world. Founded in 1851, the paper has won 127 Pulitzer Prizes, which is more than any other newspaper. The New York Times is ranked 3rd in United States by circulation and ranked 18th in the entire world. The publication ended 2018 with 3.4 million online subscriptions and 4.3 million total subscriptions. For Joanne to be asked to share her opinion on leadership for such an illustrious publication is an incredible proud moment for both her and LIFT Ireland.

You can find links to both articles below:

New to LIFT Ireland? 

LIFT is a force to improve the quality of leadership in Ireland – from the kitchen table to the classroom; and from the classroom to the boardroom.

Learn more about LIFT’s Leadership Learning Process here.

Oct
24

Becoming a LIFT Facilitator – FAQs

Becoming a LIFT Facilitator

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be a Facilitator?

Everyone! We welcome all those who are interested in building leadership values in their own lives and the lives around them. If you want to bring the programme to your organisation, community, business, team or family there is space for you here. At LIFT Ireland we believe everyone is a leader.

Do I need any qualifications?

No qualifications needed. All we ask is you bring a positive attitude and follow the process. A proficient level of English is needed to fully engage with the programme. We recommend it for people 14 years and older.

How does the programme run?

Come to our facilitator training and we’ll walk you through the whole process! It is simple yet invaluable to learn the process with the experts. Here we will iron out any queries you may have while also building a network of support with other facilitators as well as the LIFT team.

What does training involve?

The LIFT initiative is a self-reflective, value-based programme. We will explore Ireland’s top 8 leadership attributes and practice 3 of them. We will then show you the 5 step process for running a round table in your community. 

Does it cost anything?

Facilitator training is free. For non-profits, charities and schools we offer the LIFT programme for free. If you are a facilitator representing a profit-making business we ask for a contribution when you bring the programme back to your team. We have guidelines depending on the size of your organisation. This contribution allows us to continue to provide this service to communities that wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.

How long does it take?

The facilitator training takes no longer than 5-6 hours depending on the size of the group we are training. Once you are trained, a round table session only takes 30-40 minutes a week. Our programme is designed to run for 8 weeks.

When and where are the facilitator trainings?

We have a number of training events happening every week in different locations around Ireland and online via zoom. Click here to view these dates and book onto  an upcoming event. If you have a group of more than 25 people who would like to be trained as facilitators we can organise an event for you. Please contact us.

Why is it worthwhile being a facilitator?

By becoming a facilitator you become a force for positive change in your community. It’s a simple yet profound initiative that promotes personal and community development. You receive a certificate at training and you learn how to bring out the best in a group.

What does LIFT do for my community?

You are providing a non-judgemental space for people to be heard and to reflect on their values. LIFT round tables build trust, relationships and communities. Personal and organisational values are strengthened in this proven systematic approach.

Do I get any support from LIFT?

We provide you with all the materials you need to run a round table. We also welcome you to the LIFT community through annual events, social media platforms, newsletters and offering support wherever needed.

What is LIFT Ireland?

LIFT Ireland is a not-for-profit, nationwide initiative. It is a social enterprise working to raise the level of leadership in Ireland. It improves Irish society, by discussing value-based leadership themes together with friends, co-workers and family.

Start your own facilitator story today. Find out how to get involved by clicking the link below.

Get Involved
Sep
25

Rediscovering My Sense of Self Worth – A Facilitator Story

Introducing ‘Facilitator Stories’

LIFT Ireland was launched in 2018 with the goal of increasing the level of positive leadership in Ireland. Within ten years, our goal is that 10% of the population will have experienced the learning process and be “Living LIFT”. We will reach this goal through a facilitator network and corporate partner programmes.  

LIFT works when people talk. In LIFT roundtables, groups of four to five people meet and, over the course of eight weeks, come together for thirty minutes a week to discuss LIFT’s leadership values. These include Listening, Positive Attitude, Respect, Competence, Dedication & Determination, Empathy & Understanding, Accountability, and Honesty & Integrity. 

Facilitators are the individuals that guide LIFT’s roundtable process. As they go through training in how to lead a group and partake in the LIFT roundtable process, facilitators’ lives are changed just as profoundly as the other participants. In our ‘Facilitator Stories’, we sit down with LIFT Ireland’s facilitators to hear their stories and see what Living LIFT has brought to their lives.

Colette’s Story – “Rediscovering My Sense of Self Worth” 

Colette was one of LIFT’s earliest facilitators. Colette is a mother of five, who worked as a manager within the food industry for many years. After her third child, Colette decided against returning to work and became a stay at home mum, and child-minder for others. Colette shared with us how, prior to becoming a facilitator, her role as a mother took over her identity. 

“Sometimes, when you become a parent, you begin to lose your sense of self, especially when you aren’t out in the workforce. I was a mother of five, living in an alcoholic home and that is how I labelled myself. ”

Colette had been on a journey of self discovery when she first spoke to Joanne Hession about LIFT. “I knew Joanne from the GAA sidelines as our 15-year-old girls played on the same team. Joanne knew exactly where I was in life and suggested that I come along to a LIFT Facilitator training day at the RDS. In fact, it was the first ever one. ”  

To become a LIFT facilitator, you first complete a half day facilitator training course. Participants learn about the process and how to facilitate sessions within a spirit of non-judgement. During the session, facilitators get to experience a roundtable for themselves. Colette was in a group with five others, reflecting on the leadership value of Listening. According to Colette, she was somewhat overwhelmed by the experience. 

“I remember being at the first session and feeling like I didn’t belong. I was in a room with CEOs and other senior professionals. I had no confidence, I didn’t believe in myself. I distinctly remember thinking ‘what am I doing here? I’m just a mum!”. 

But an incredible thing happened. Within a few minutes I realised that everyone else in the group had the exact same challenges as me. They had similar worries and outlook on life. The roundtables helped me to realise that we were all equal.”

Becoming a Leader in Her Own Home 

Not long after that first facilitator training session, Colette hosted her first roundtable group. At a local community group, Colette and a second facilitator lead two groups of five. Remarkably, Colette went to host two more groups thereafter. In both cases, these were held at the local GAA club. Parents that would otherwise be sitting in their cars, waiting for their kids to finish training, joined in for 30 minutes a week. Colette described the impact that the roundtables had on the group dynamic. 

“The roundtables created a great sense of togetherness. Being in such tight knit groups, reflecting on leadership values, you share an intimate experience. In those eight weeks, we became closer than we had been for years. It’s become a kind of secret language at the GAA matches. We might point out leadership values during a match, “that’s positive attitude..there’s respect!” It’s lighthearted but it shows that the values are something we’re reflecting on.

It’s been amazing to see the impact that Living LIFT is having on the participants. Some are finding improvements in their work lives. My sister, who I’ve always looked up to as a great leader in a professional sense, told me that LIFT is having the most impact in her home. This is something that resonated with me personally. Living in an alcoholic home, ‘Respect’ was a value I had difficulty with. But I soon discovered that everyone deserves respect. It doesn’t simply depend on circumstance. My husband deserves respect as much as anyone else. I want to give him that respect and want my children to do the same. 

I also found that I wasn’t listening to my children as well as I should have been. It dawned on me that if there’s no leader at home, how can I expect my kids to become leaders. It changed everything for me.”

I’ll Never Think of Myself as “Just a Mum” Again

After completing her third roundtable in a year, Colette has already made plans to start a fourth once the busyness of summer subsides. We asked her what being a facilitator has brought to her life. 

“It’s been incredible. With my background, I’ve never had a programme like this and I’m sure many others wouldn’t have either. Some people might partake in leadership training courses at work or something like that but I never had that opportunity. I truly believe that if the entire country was given the chance to experience LIFT, Ireland would be a much better place. 

LIFT has made me more open to learning, empathetic and mindful of my behaviour in my own home. I sometimes think about the person that walked into the RDS last year and the inner dialogue I had. My sense of self-worth was very low. Now, I can honestly say that I will never beat myself up for “just being a mum” again. I know that I don’t have to be anyone else but myself. That might seem like a small thing but it’s been a huge realisation for me. I only wish that I had found LIFT twenty years ago!”

We would like to thank Colette for sharing her story with us. Colette has been a hugely influential leader for LIFT Ireland. We are very grateful for the role she has played in introducing LIFT to other members of her community. 

Start your own facilitator story today. Find out how to get involved by clicking the link below.

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May
13

David’s Diary: A Journey Towards Positivity

George Bernard Shaw famously said “You see things; and you say “Why?” But I dream things that never were; and I say “Why not?”. Sadly, I think that my natural inclination is to dream things that never were; and say “that looks dangerous”.

I’m not, I think, a very positive person by nature. I was a lawyer in a previous life, so was a member of one of the glummest professions around, eagerly seeking out the traps in every situation. Perhaps I’m not quite at the level of Marvin the Paranoid Android in Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, whose philosophy can be summed up in the quote “just when you think life can’t possibly get any worse it suddenly does”, but I know where he’s coming from. An old family friend used to love mis-quoting Shelley – “If Winter comes, can Winter be far behind?” he’d say. Makes sense to me sometimes.

Someone described me as a catastrophist, seeing the endless possibilities there are for things to go belly up. Perhaps I’m being a little bit flippant but it is certainly true that in some parts of my life I’m a glass half empty kind of guy. The cynic in me sometimes looks at very positive people and laughs inwardly at their naïve, simplistic, Pollyanna approach to life. But what if it is actually me that has the naïve and simplistic life view and they that are right?

As I’ve been involved in the LIFT initiative over the last 18 months, this is an aspect of my personality that has been regularly challenged. One of the 8 LIFT leadership themes that was identified by our Coyne Research independent national survey was Positive Attitude. In the LIFT materials that accompany this theme there is one paragraph, in particular, that always makes me stop and think:

Having a positive attitude does not mean that we are always happy about everything that happens. We all deal with difficult and painful things at times. However, by being aware that we control our attitude, we can make sure that we are not defeated by our problems and pain. A positive attitude allows us to focus on what we can do, rather than on our inabilities or loss of control.

Is it simple to take this approach when things go wrong in our lives? Actually, it’s far easier to look to find where the blame lies, to say there’s nothing to be done, to feel like a helpless victim, which is the cynic’s choice. Choosing to take a positive attitude is a much harder road to travel – it requires me to take ownership of my situation, to say “this is where I am; what will I do now?”.

None of us has a perfect life; and even if we are lucky enough to have good health, a roof over our heads and sufficient food to eat, the reality is that every person has his or her difficulties. The challenge for each of us, is to decide how we choose to deal with them. I’ve been working hard on my positive attitude. Not trying to go about with a smile on my face (which isn’t what a positive attitude is really about), but rather, being pragmatic and trying to focus on possibilities even where the reality is difficult. Relatively recently there have been some situations that perhaps in the past would have led me towards feelings of blackness. However, I have chosen instead to hold onto the belief that things could improve, and I have worked as hard as I could to try to improve them. So far, at least, it’s working.

David

LIFT is a force to improve the quality of leadership in Ireland – from the kitchen table to the classroom; and from the classroom to the boardroom. Learn more about the LIFT Ireland programme by following the link below. 

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May
01

David’s Diary: Everything Changes But Some Things Stay the Same

Today is my Mother’s 81st birthday. She was born in May 1938. Later that year, Hitler’s Germany would annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, followed one month later, ironically, by the release of Orson Well’s radio dramatization of War of the Worlds.

My Mother has lived through World War II, vividly remembering the German bombs dropped on the North Strand in Dublin, killing 28 people. She has lived through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Falklands War, the first and second Iraq wars. She has lived through the birth of rock and roll; the Swinging Sixties; the first Moon landings; the Cuban Missile Crisis; McCarthyism in the US; the Troubles in the North; the inventions of the personal computer, mobile phone, colour television and the Internet.

So much change has happened over the course of my Mother’s life so far. L.P. Hartley said that the past is a foreign country. I think you could go further and say that the past is actually a different planet. Someone transported straight from 1938 to today would have no idea how to act or how to deal with the pace and strangeness of modern life.

You might be tempted to say that nothing has stayed the same over the past 81 years. But I think you’d be wrong. When I look at my Mother and remember her over the 50 or so years that I have known her, I see a consistency. Throughout all of the change and upheaval that the World has seen, she has not fundamentally changed, at least to my eyes. Of course, like everyone she has grown and developed, but at a deep level, I think she has remained constant.  Everyone who knows my Mother seems to trust her. Why is that, I wonder? I think perhaps it’s because people trust when they believe. It doesn’t require qualifications, expertise, strength or power; belief is built on consistency.

I would guess that if I asked my Mother to list her values, she possibly would have difficulty doing so. But, for me, her life thus far has been defined by a couple of simple ideas: try to listen, and if you can, try to help.  It’s incredibly simple, but as someone said to me recently, the simplest things are often not the easiest. My Mother has lived by these principles for as long as I have known her. Everything else might have changed, but this has stayed the same.

Happy Birthday Mom.

David

LIFT is a force to improve the quality of leadership in Ireland – from the kitchen table to the classroom; and from the classroom to the boardroom. Learn more about the LIFT Ireland programme by following the link below. 

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