Mimi Nicklin – Empathy Advocate speaks about Listening-Led Leadership.

Here in Wexford, I see something just as powerful emerging -leadership presence as a Regional strategy. It’s my adopted county since 2002.

A place that has given me so much-friendships, business partnerships, community, and the opportunity to raise my family with a real sense of belonging through networks and voluntary organisations and a great quality of life.

This is not just where I work. It’s home and i am passionate to see it grow and thrive.

A County Stepping Forward

Under the leadership of President Ed Murphy and CEO Paula Roche , County Wexford Chamber recently hosted an exceptional President’s Lunch in the Riverside Park Hotel & Leisure Club. 320 people in the room- In a hotel that had been flooded only weeks earlier yet delivered outstanding food, service and professionalism.

That alone speaks to resilience.

On stage and exceptionally moderated by Teresanne O’Reilly : Kevin Doyle, Brian Cody, Aimee Connolly and Denis O’Brien. Different journeys. Same themes:

Speed. Humility. Unity. Adaptability. Self-control.

Setbacks were normal. Pressure was expected. Optimism was intentional.

Not loud optimism -grounded belief and Self-reliance paired with action.

Kevin Doyle spoke openly about how different managers shaped team culture and the importance of bounce-back ability when setbacks hit. Brian Cody emphasised spirit, unity and deep respect across all stakeholders. True humility in action.

Aimee Connolly shared her journey with honesty and authenticity understanding the customer, staying close to feedback, evolving continuously. Denis O’Brien spoke with real passion about Wexford’s potential. Progress requires action and speed.

What struck me most? Every story included setbacks. Tough calls. Pressure moments. Leadership was not framed as perfection but persistence with many Emotional Intelligence themes.

Across Sectors, The Same Pattern

In my recent work with med tech, food sectors, manufacturing, education, financial services, agriculture, and through Greentech HQ’s BASSE programme, leaders want growth.

Through County Wexford Chamber Skillnet and partnerships with experts like Charley Swords and many organisation across Wexford and beyond, they are investing in Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Development because they see the risk and are serious about their most important asset -PEOPLE :

Growth without leadership maturity and Emotional Intelligence creates strain.

In sport, working with the Irish Football Association on their UEFA Pro Licence participants and hearing Seán-Paul Murray on a recent podcast embed reflection and empathy into coaching confirms it again. Worth a listen: Spotify; https://lnkd.in/gPmK4fY7

High performance now requires high Self-Awareness.

If We Want More, We Must Be More

If we want Wexford and other counties or countries to lead in ORE, enterprise, innovation according to Ed Murphy we must be:

• More demanding of ourselves
• More demanding of our systems
• More demanding of education and training
• More united in how we collaborate

Not confrontational- Confident. Not divided- United . Infrastructure will grow but culture will decide. If we are serious about being a county of opportunity, we must grow Emotional Intelligence and build our relationship skills as deliberately as we grow business.

Presence. Partnership. Progress. Wexford is ready.

The question is — are we ready to lead it well and who are we becoming?

My Why

Some days this mission feels big. But I see why it matters every day — in my daughters- their futures, and in my mum who has been bravely battling cancer over the past 18 months. Empathy. Regulation. Optimism. Understanding

These are not theories for me. They are lived. And when I look at rooms like the President’s Lunch in Enniscorthy – ambitious, forward-thinking, proud, I don’t feel this work is isolated.

We are building something TOGETHER.

What Gets Measured Gets Done

If you are serious about strengthening leadership capability in your organisation, start by measuring it.

Through the RocheMartin Emotional Capital Report (ECR), I offer

• ECR Selection & Interview Support-hiring for the right emotional competencies
• ECR Self & Youth Reports – building individual awareness
• ECR 360 Reports – strengthening leadership impact
• Executive & Team Coaching
• EQ Leadership and Time to Think workshops.

Because Emotional Intelligence cannot remain a conversation. It must become a capability.

If you want resilient leaders, stronger teams and a culture that matches Wexford’s ambition let’s start there.

Let’s make sure we measure and grow what matters.