LeadersHub Recap 2023

In case you missed it....

We are overwhelmed by the positive feedback from our fourth LeadersHub event, which took place on the 20th of April in House Dublin – the buzz in the room was electric, and it was fantastic to see how engaged all participants were!

A special thank you to the amazing Taragh Loughrey-Grant, our host for the event, making it such an insightful and positive experience for all attendees! LeadersHub continues to serve as a dedicated platform for women in leadership across all industries to network, collaborate and discuss challenges, best practices, and ideas.

Below is a summary of the topics discussed during this year’s event. We really cannot wait for our next event, details to follow very soon!

Humans vs Bots

Automation is becoming increasingly prevalent in the workplace, and bots, such as Chat GPT etc, are becoming the norm in many industries. There are many benefits to utilising bots and AI, such as increased efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

Our expert speaker, Dr Patricia Scanlon, answered a range of questions from the group, and she was able to explain the future of AI. She addressed the participant’s concerns regarding new technologies changing how we operate on a daily basis and how we interact. Dr Scanlon elaborated that bots lack the ability to think creatively, critically or empathetically in the same way humans do. There are certain tasks, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and complex communication, that require a human touch.

Key Takeaways:

• AI will not replace you but is here to take the heavy lifting off you, freeing up your time to focus on more strategic tasks.
• Be mindful of the bias that can creep in based on the data models used.
• The integration of bots and human workers can lead to increased efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. Embracing new technologies will give you a competitive advantage.
• Companies should strike a balance between human and bot involvement to fully reap the benefits of automation whilst mitigating its challenges.

Diversity & Divergent Thinking

While diversity and inclusion have been the focus of much discussion in recent years, there is now a growing awareness of the importance of divergent thinking in the workplace. Divergent thinking generates creative solutions and considers multiple perspectives, therefore, it can lead to greater innovation, problem-solving, and employee engagement.

As business leaders, it’s important to embrace divergent thinking by encouraging and rewarding creativity, diversity of thought, and inclusivity in the workplace. Leaders can promote this by creating a culture that values different perspectives and encourages open communication. Additionally, leaders can encourage divergent thinking by providing employees with opportunities for learning and development, creative projects, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

• Leaders should be flexible with ways of working to support neurodivergent teams.
• Not everyone thinks the same or has the same ability, but everyone has something to bring to the table.
• Represent your diverse customers with a diverse team.

Burn-Out

Burnout has become increasingly common in the modern working world, and it can have serious consequences on employee productivity, health, and well-being. In an age of constant connectivity and a culture that values overworking, it’s easy for employees to feel pressure to always be available and working.

As leaders, it’s important to prioritise not only employee well-being but your own wellness and mental health. Leaders should promote a culture that values self-care and wellness. Finally, leaders can model good habits by setting boundaries for their own work and personal life and encouraging employees to do the same.

Key Takeaways:

• ‘Third Shift’ describes the time after work has finished and domestic and family chores begin. It is not just office life that leads to burnout. One of our attendees, the founder of a tech company in Iceland, shared the Nordic model which far outweighs the rest of the world in regards work-life balance.
• Get ahead of burnout before it happens by noticing the signs, take time to reset and switch off.
• Look after yourself and invest in self-care.

To access any resources used as part of LeadersHub (data or insights) or to register your interest in attending the next event, please get in touch with Ellie Doyle ?

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