With US partnership, Ireland can become the entrepreneurial capital of Europe
AS AN AMERICAN, I watched the violent assault on our Capitol on January 6 with dismay and disappointment. The actions we witnessed are unacceptable and, in many cases, criminal. Violence has no place anywhere. I do believe we will work through our present divisions and will continue to strive for liberty, freedom and justice in the United States, here in Ireland, and around the world.
For those of us privileged to serve at the US Embassy in Dublin, these principles will continue to inspire us and guide our work. A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20, but regardless of what party or individual is in office, I know for certain that America’s relationship with Ireland will continue to prosper.
My mother left Boherbue, Co Cork, 95 years ago to seek a better life in America. But she never left her Irish heritage behind. She raised three boys as proud Irish Americans. Returning to Ireland as the US Ambassador in 2019 has been one of the greatest moments of my life.
Now, as I prepare to finish my term as ambassador this month, I am proud of what we have accomplished and am more optimistic than ever about Ireland’s future.
Optimism may not be a large part of the conversation right now because of the unprecedented and devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic for so many people. Beyond the profound loss of lives, the pandemic adds greatly to business and economic uncertainty.
But the business community here is strong, as I have seen this first-hand: from my interactions with Irish and American business leaders all over the country, to working with Irish companies that are successfully investing in the US, to frequent collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce and my talks with countless students and your future entrepreneurs.
Ireland’s bright business leaders of tomorrow fuel my sense of optimism. And our embassy continues to work hard to support and mentor with these future Irish leaders. I am honoured and proud to have travelled to universities around the country leading the ‘Aspire’ series of entrepreneurship lectures. Although Covid-19 prevented my team and I from reaching everyone we hoped, I am proud of what we were able to achieve and hopeful about the generation of Irish entrepreneurs to come.
For the hundreds of impressive students I personally met – at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, UL Kemmy Business School, UCC’s Gateway Incubation Center, TCD’s Tangent Ideas Workspace and others – I was able to impart an Aspire perspective that, ironically, was perfectly suited to the uncertainty to come.
The US and Irish economies are closely interconnected and growing only more intertwined. A growing Irish economy is good for America. A growing US economy is good for Ireland.
That is why from the beginning of my time here as US Ambassador, promoting entrepreneurship has been one of my highest priorities. The US Embassy has never passed up an opportunity to help the US-Irish efforts to help stimulate economic growth, create better quality jobs, and increase joint economic security and prosperity.
Turning rejection into positive energy and team building are keys to success in business. One of my main Aspire themes was explaining to young entrepreneurs the vital importance of learning how to handle rejection when they encounter it. In fact, turning the inevitable experience of rejection into positive energy is essential to long-term success.
I strived to share with these young entrepreneurs my lessons learned during a lifetime of business experience. It is only by examining failure head on and rejecting pessimism that they can inject energy, pride and greater success into their endeavours.
I learned this, by the way, playing chess as a boy with my mother, when she taught me to think less about my next move and more about anticipating my opponent’s plan.
I also tried to impart to business students how crucial it is to build good teams, team-building skills essential for any kind of success in business. During my long business career, and working here at the US Embassy, I sought to create teams that people wanted to be a part of. In the past, I often told students to think less about what was on their mind and pay more attention to what the other person was thinking.
I regularly explained to my embassy team that I was the quarterback on an American football team (the guy who directs the offense), but I couldn’t do my job unless they were happy doing theirs. Good leaders build good teams that outlive them when they are not in the game. I am leaving Ireland with a first-class team ready to play.
I am excited that my embassy team will continue to push for economic growth in Ireland and support entrepreneurial development.
It is true that this time in life is full of doubt, but my message is clear – by harnessing rejection, fighting adversity and having tenacity, you can create a positive energy force and find success on the other side.
After meeting so many current and future business leaders, I leave this beautiful country confident that Ireland will be the entrepreneurial capital of Europe. And I will be rooting for you.
Turning rejection into positive energy and team building are keys to success