September Monthly Dinner Presenter - Eamonn O'Laocha

Dr. Eamonn O'Laocha holds a Ph.D. in business from Warwick Business School in the UK, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP and Prince2 Practitioner).

He is a high-level leader who is committed to organizational excellence in the delivery of community-focused services. He is a highly versatile and well-rounded professional leader and manager with extensive experience in strategy formulation and implementation, innovation and technology transfer, multi-party initiatives, financial management and reporting, operations management and organizational and individual capability development. He is a supportive and enabling manager whose approach is based upon positive regard towards others, mutual respect, transparency and clarity.

Dr. O'Laocha's research interests include; innovation and technology transfer, professional practice in complex and dynamic contexts, governance in complex organizational and inter-organizational contexts, information systems strategy and operations, and innovative engaged approaches to organizational design , development, leadership and management.

 

Q&A with Eamonn O'Laocha

What is the achievement you are the proudest of in your career?

Setting up the Douglas College Applied Research initiative – DARE.

Which one of the following roles have been the most fulfilling in your career so far and why: being a researcher, a teacher or a consultant?

The applied research I am involved with at DARE includes consulting with industry partners, researching challenging problems and exciting opportunities and using this research as case studies to enhance student learning. The combination of research, consultancy and teaching in this role make it an ideal and fulfilling role for me.

What are you most passionate about in project management?

The beauty of projects is that they combine all elements of business organization - under multiple and at times severe constraints. In a way projects could be described as “extreme” management, as project managers require the skills of a serial entrepreneur, organizational designer, manager, team leader, facilitator, consultant and coach – all rolled into one.

How do you handle stress?

I find a certain level of stress helpful as it highlights the effort required in much of what I do and creates a healthy sense of urgency. When stress becomes a burden and detracts from what is to be done, I spend some time at the boxing gym – a sharp tap on the nose tends to help put other concerns into perspective!

What one book has inspired you or one that you have recommended most?

Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire.

Can you think of any failure that later set you up for success?

Any success I have had has been built on the platform of failed attempts to succeed. When we try we hope for success and we risk failure - I like to keep trying.

 

Thank you, Eamonn, for taking the time to answer our questions and allowing us to get to know you better! We are looking forward to your presentation and learning more about Managing Customer Service.

For anyone that is interested in learning more about the event Managing Customer Service or to register please click below.