As May came to a close, I found myself wondering where the month had gone. It was one of those months that felt full in every sense of the word. There were family celebrations, including my daughter’s First Holy Communion birthdays and competitions/matches won and lost. We welcomed family home from the US and enjoyed precious time together. There were leadership programmes, coaching conversations, Rotary commitments, Chamber events, tender submissions, community initiatives and opportunities to continue growing my business.
There were also worries about my mum’s health and huge moments of sadness as close friends and many people in our community experienced loss and grief.
And that got me thinking. We often talk about being busy, but busy isn’t always the right word. Sometimes what we’re really experiencing is emotional labour.
As leaders, parents, partners, business owners and community members, we are constantly carrying things that nobody else can see. We are managing our own emotions while supporting others. Holding difficult conversations.
Celebrating milestones while navigating challenges. Showing up professionally while dealing with personal concerns. Being present for others when our own energy reserves are running low. That takes more than time. It takes emotional energy.
And unlike our diaries, emotional energy isn’t always visible.
What I Learned This Month
One of the things I love most about my work is the opportunity to work with people from different organisations, industries and backgrounds.
This month included leadership development work with BD Enniscorthy, Collaboration with A Better Work and Walls Construction Limited and Greenhill Fruit Farm Wexford alongside Emotional Capital Report feedback sessions and coaching conversations with leaders navigating their own challenges and opportunities
What struck me again and again was how much people are carrying. On the surface, we see job titles, responsibilities and performance targets.
Beneath the surface, there are pressures, uncertainties, family commitments, personal challenges and aspirations. The reality is that every person we meet is managing something we know little about. As leaders, we don’t need to have all the answers.
But we do need to create environments where people feel heard, valued and supported.
That’s where Emotional Intelligence becomes so important.
Not as a leadership buzzword, but as a practical skill that helps us build trust, strengthen relationships and navigate uncertainty.
The Power of Connection
I was also fortunate to spend time this month through Rotary Club of Wexford , community initiatives, Chamber events and a South East Radio interview alongside Rosie Keary with Alan Corcoran reflecting on what being a Rotarian means to us both personally and professionally.
When I think about all of these experiences, one theme keeps emerging.
Connection.
Whether I’m coaching a leader, facilitating a workshop, volunteering through Rotary or spending time with family, it always comes back to people.
As Mimi Nicklin – Empathy Advocate often reminds us, empathy is our human superpower.
In a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI, our ability to genuinely connect with one another may become one of our most valuable skills. The businesses and leaders who thrive in the future won’t just be technically capable.
They’ll be emotionally intelligent. They’ll understand that relationships matter.
A Moment of Gratitude
Towards the end of the month I was honoured to be recognised as Runner-Up in the Solopreneur of the Year category at the County Wexford Chamber Business Awards. Huge thanks to President Ed Murphy , CEO Paula Roche and all the chamber team for an excellent night of celebrating Business in Wexford.
I was genuinely grateful for the recognition, particularly amongst such inspiring business owners and huge congrats to Frances Moran from Moran Safety Services who was a very deserved winner. But if I’m honest, the award wasn’t what stayed with me.
What stayed with me were the conversations. The people I met. The encouragement. The support. The relationships that have helped me build a business doing work I genuinely love and celebrating many businesses i work with who won, were runners up, sponsored or named as finalists- it really felt like a bigger team that i am part of. That’s what doing Business in Wexford feels like.
Looking back, May reminded me that growth rarely happens when life is calm and everything is going to plan.
More often, growth happens in the middle of real life. In the messy middle. In the balancing act. In the moments when we continue to show up for our families, our teams, our communities and ourselves. So as we move into June, my encouragement is simple.
Check in on your people.
Give yourself permission to slow down when needed. Celebrate the small wins. And remember that everyone is carrying something. A little empathy can go a very long way. Because behind every achievement is a person. And behind every successful person is a story that others may never fully see.
That’s why Emotional Intelligence matters more than ever.
Get in touch if i can support you or your wider Leadership team with Emotional Intelligence development.
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