Service Academy’s Post

Today, we join millions across Australia in celebrating RU OK? Day, a day dedicated to reminding everyone to check in with their friends, family, and colleagues. 💛 But remember, asking “RU OK?” isn’t just for today. It’s a conversation we can have any day of the year. A simple question can make a world of difference. If you need help in starting this conversation, check out the valuable R U OK? resources here: https://lnkd.in/g6XSSyx

Happy Independence Day to my American friends and colleagues, from Ireland! ☘️ While Americans are busy celebrating Independence Day with fireworks, BBQs, and parades, we’re here in Ireland enjoying the craic with a cup of tea and a bit of rain. But as I watch the festivities from afar, I can’t help but think about some leadership lessons we can learn from the 4th of July. Here are a few thoughts: Vision and Courage - The Founding Fathers had a vision of a new nation and the courage to pursue it against all odds. Leaders, take note: daring to dream big and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to extraordinary achievements. Just make sure you’ve got a good raincoat for those stormy times - they may be coming in November! 😎 Teamwork - The fight for independence was a team effort. Much like a good aul Irish céilí, where everyone plays their part, successful leadership involves fostering teamwork and ensuring everyone’s contributions are valued. Plus, it’s way more fun than going solo! Resilience - The path to independence wasn’t easy, and neither is any worthwhile goal. Leaders need to be resilient, bouncing back from setbacks like a rugby ball in a muddy Irish field (yes, that's a game in which players can become world champions by beating other teams from other countries, not just from within their own country - that's called national champion 😁). Remember, each setback is just a setup for a comeback. Celebration and Recognition - The 4th of July is all about celebrating achievements and recognising sacrifices. As leaders, it’s crucial to celebrate the wins and acknowledge the hard work of your team. And if there’s a BBQ involved, even better! (Though in Ireland, we might swap it for a hearty stew and a wee dram.) Adaptability - Just like adapting to celebrate an American holiday in Ireland, good leaders are adaptable. Whether it’s shifting strategies or finding creative ways to engage your team, flexibility is key. And if all else fails, a bit of Irish charm and wit can go a long way. Sure, that'd be grand! So, while I might not have fireworks or a parade, I’ll raise a glass of Guinness to all the leaders out there striving for greatness. Here’s to vision, teamwork, resilience, celebration, and adaptability. Sláinte! #leadershiplessons #4thOfJuly #leadership

Tip #7a on being a Better Global Team Player - Learn something about other countries - Brazil This week I thought that I would cheat and ask ChatGPT for some fun facts about Brazil: Largest Country in South America: Brazil is the largest country in South America by both land area and population. It covers nearly half of the continent and is the fifth-largest country in the world by both area and population. Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon Rainforest, located primarily within Brazil, is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It is home to an incredible array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Rio Carnival: The Rio Carnival is one of the biggest and most famous carnivals in the world. It attracts millions of visitors from around the globe every year who come to enjoy the colourful parades, samba music, and extravagant costumes. Christ the Redeemer: One of Brazil's most iconic landmarks, Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor), is a giant statue of Jesus Christ located in Rio de Janeiro. It stands 30 meters (98 feet) tall and overlooks the city from the summit of Mount Corcovado. Football (Soccer) Passion: Brazilians are passionate about soccer (known as football in Brazil), and the country has produced some of the greatest players in the sport's history, including Pelé, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. The national team has won the FIFA World Cup a record five times. Pantanal: The Pantanal, located in western Brazil, is the world's largest tropical wetland area. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including numerous species of birds, mammals, and reptiles, making it a popular destination for ecotourism and wildlife watching. Coffee Production: Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world, accounting for around one-third of global coffee production. Coffee cultivation is an important part of Brazil's economy and culture, with regions like Minas Gerais and São Paulo being major coffee-producing areas. Iguazu Falls: Shared with Argentina, the breathtaking Iguazu Falls is one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world. It consists of a series of massive waterfalls on the Iguazu River and is surrounded by lush forests teeming with wildlife. Cultural Diversity: Brazil is known for its diverse cultural heritage, influenced by Indigenous, African, European, and Asian cultures. This diversity is reflected in its music, dance, cuisine, and festivals, making Brazil a vibrant and dynamic country. Language: Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, making it the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world. However, there are also many indigenous languages spoken by various Indigenous groups across the country. Next week I will do the work myself!

This looks like a great panel discussion from ETOA - European tourism association. "In conversation with expert panellists, Tom Jenkins will explore trends and prospects for the 2025 season and beyond. We will look at which source markets are on the rise, and what clients are looking for in terms of accommodation, experiences and destinations." https://lnkd.in/e5MJ_y_M

Tips for Getting Upgrades Barbara Scofidio, writing in Prevue Meetings and Incentives, shares these tips from Travel Hacks....   ·      Be polite ·      Loyalty is paramount ·      Travel alone or during quiet times ·      Dress to impress   From our own experience, there’s another way: if you are a high status traveler traveling in coach on a full flight, you’ll have a better chance of getting an upgrade—especially if flying on long-haul flights—to make room for an extra main cabin passenger. #incentivetravel #travel #airtravel   https://lnkd.in/e9Ki_JTr

Celebrating Dussehra: Lessons from Tradition to Our Work As we celebrate Dussehra, let’s reflect on how its teachings resonate in our  professional lives. This festival is all about victory and new beginnings, and  these principles can greatly influence our work culture. Victory of Good Practices Dussehra teaches us that integrity and ethical practices always lead to  success. In the workplace, this means prioritizing honesty and transparency,  fostering a culture of trust and respect. Perseverance and Resilience The essence of Dussehra is perseverance in the face of challenges. Just like in our careers, we often face obstacles. This festival reminds us to stay strong  and committed to our goals, knowing that perseverance leads to triumph. Teamwork and Collaboration Dussehra symbolizes the power of unity. This is a reminder that in our professional lives, teamwork and collaboration are key. Together, we can overcome challenges and achieve collective success. Self-Reflection and Growth Burning the figures signifies the removal of negativity. This can be a metaphor for self-reflection in the workplace understanding our weaknesses and working on them for continuous growth and improvement. Embracing Change Dussehra marks new beginnings. It encourages us to embrace change and new challenges in our professional journey, continuously innovating and  improving. Let’s carry these timeless lessons from Dussehra into our work lives, fostering a culture of integrity, resilience, collaboration, self-improvement, and adaptability. Wishing everyone a joyous and enlightening Dussehra! #Dussehra #Festival #WorkplaceValues #Integrity #Teamwork #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement #EmbraceChange

Appreciating the team members working hard to make every event an unforgettable memory. Kudos to the cultural group members for all the successful events organized and well-managed. keep up the good work! #EmployeeAppreciation #AppreciationEvent #RecognitionProgram #EmployeeAwards#InnovationLeaders #RewardsAndRecognition #TheOneTechnologies

Flying back from our family roundtrip in Sri Lanka I was sitting next to Laura, a 23-year old Australian girl. She was travelling alone. After a year of hard work she earned enough money for her annual guilty pleasure: Tomorrowland… Arriving in Zaventem the Tomorrowland-vibes could already be felt, and Laura -together with a few hundred thousand other people from all over the world- would be fully immersed into a magical world for a whole weekend, and this until the moment she would get back on the plane for her 23-hour flight back to her home country. It is incredible how Tomorrowland, which only exists since 2005, has such a global impact. Throughout the years Tomorrowland has evolved, but it always tried to remain faithful to its mission to unite people. Through music, but also through spin-offs like the Love Tomorrow-conference, a platform joining solutions and stories to shape a future that we can all fall in love with. I was able to attend Love Tomorrow for the third year in a row, and was again inspired by what I heard and what I saw, but also by the many chats I had with befriended ‘Creators of Tomorrow’ (in comments). With most of them I also spoke about the book I wrote together with my Business Markers-colleagues, Lucia Soetens and Jille Tabak. “Leadership Unraveled” is a Handbook for Leaders in a Polarizing World, and during our writing process we had the opportunity to speak with many inspirational leaders. With Tomorrowland’s mission to unite people in mind, we were eager to also interview Bruno Vanwelsenaers, CEO of We.Are.One.World (the company behind Tomorrowland and Love Tomorrow). We were very curious to hear how the people behind Tomorrowland were approaching leadership. Do they practice internally what they preach? Are they only good in organizing their events, or are they also inspiring and enabling their teams? In a very honest and modest conversation Bruno shared some growing pains, but also a compelling story on how this young group of people is trying to further shape Tomorrowland from a festival into a global entertainment brand, step by step, inspired by the Disney’s and FC Barcelona’s of this world. Looking back at this year’s edition I believe Bruno and his team are indeed getting 1% better every day, a simple but effective approach he likes to use to grow their internal leadership. You will find Bruno’s story, together with that of other inspirational leaders, from mid-September on in your favorite bookstore! #leadershipunraveled #leiderschapontrafeld #leadership #leiderschap #21capabilities

Why Costa Rica Tops the List of Friendliest Countries Costa Rica is known for its "Pura Vida" lifestyle, which means "pure life." This laid-back, welcoming attitude is felt everywhere, from bustling cities to rural villages. Costa Ricans (Ticos) are known for their warmth, willingness to help, and strong sense of community. With its stunning natural beauty, eco-conscious mindset, and emphasis on happiness and well-being, Costa Rica offers visitors not just incredible experiences, but genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression. This blend of kindness and nature makes Costa Rica a true leader in friendliness worldwide. https://lnkd.in/dysbmvP8