My wife was telling me she’d heard a renowned psychologist, Dr.Edith Eger, talking on the radio last week.

She was a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp during the holocaust and had endured severe traumas over her life.

But she had built a successful career as a therapist, speaker and writer in the US, around helping others overcome trauma and making the most of their lives.

Be assured that within your setbacks most likely are hidden gems. Gems that can make your foundations stronger and that ultimately can create a greater probability of growth – in any aspect of life.

We’re now into the last weeks of 2019. Wouldn’t if be great to squeeze the very best out of it, so that we turn the corner with momentum and set ourselves up for a strong start to 2020?

If you’re Irish, Darina needs no introduction. But if you’re not let’s just say she is Ireland’s original celebrity chef. And over the last few decades she has written 19 books, created one of the best cookery schools in the world, been a pioneer and ambassador for the slow food movement and a renowned TV chef.

Often we set standards that are too high for a situation and so we experience frustration and disappointment. Other times we set our standards too low and so don’t experience the success or enjoyment we should.

Everyone can be forgiven for falling victim to a ‘pity party’, particularly in challenging times. But if I’ve learned anything in my own life and working with leaders, it’s that the right mindset is key to creating miracles.

Everyone knows it just takes one bad apple to kill a team, but they don’t often consider the impact of their own state or mood in the same way.

Siya Kolisi’s words after the RWC Final were very inspiring and humble and his team is the first to win the tournament, despite losing a game in the pool stages. A definite win for resilience.

Below is a recording of an interview I did in October 2019 with Ellen Gunning on her Mediascope show on Dublin City FM. We spoke about public relations and leadership.

Many people say they’re fully committed when really they aren’t. They hold back out of perhaps fear or from being focused on too many things at the same time. What really matters most to you? Are you fully committed?