If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Dynamo MD and TG4 Board Member, Róisín Ní Ráighne
Róisín Ní Ráighne reflects on her life in business to date, sharing some gems of wisdom gathered along the way. Spoiler: Imposter syndrome is a waste of headspace.
Róisín Ní Ráighne has been Managing Director at Dynamo, Creative Consultancy for five years now, but has over two decades of experience working across a range of national and international corporate brands.
From account manager to strategy and planning director, Róisín steadily moved up the ranks at Dynamo before settling into the role of MD in 2020. Here’s she shares some learnings amassed over the course of her career, as well as some steadfast advice for fellow businesswomen.
Describe your career in three words…
Fast. Fun. Varied.
What’s one lesson you have learned in business/your career that you wish every woman knew?
Imposter syndrome only lives rent-free in your head if you give it the space to do so.
Do you feel your early training and career set you up for your role as Managing Director at Dynamo, and if so, how?
Absolutely. I was very fortunate to have great bosses from the start of my professional career. Their lasting impact on how I approach my work was invaluable. I learned quickly, was thrown into the deep end, but always had strong support and encouragement, along with a significant amount of trust placed in me from an early stage. This helped me progress through my career and gave me the confidence to tackle new challenges and opportunities I might not have felt ready for otherwise.
Do you believe the Irish educational system adequately supports entrepreneurial spirit and action?
I think it is starting to, but I’m not sure it did when I was in school! Nowadays, I think that curriculum designers are becoming more aware of the gap between education and real life and are working to bridge it. There are also great initiatives being developed in partnership with educational bodies, such as The Big Idea!, which focuses on bringing schools and industry together to creatively solve real-world problems.
What is the most underrated quality essential for leadership in your opinion?
Listening. Oftentimes leaders can be so focused on leading and progress, that they forget to listen to the needs of those around them.
What defines a resilient leader?
Remaining focused and positive in the bad times as well as the good. Also, not letting knock-backs veer you off strategy.
What is your advice for anyone building a team?
It’s such a cliché, but bring in varied, diverse skillsets and personalities. I think a strong culture is crucial, but the ability to challenge each other is equally as important, so having different personality types is fundamental in building a team that is stronger than the sum of its parts.
How best can a leader support and motivate a team?
Empower them to do great work by trusting in their abilities and mentoring rather than managing. I think that unless you are someone that likes to be managed, micro-management can break spirits and cause frustration.
Is there any life, business or career advice that you were given but (thankfully) ignored?!
I was advised at an early stage to get into either teaching or banking so that I had a permanent and pensionable job. I almost ended up in banking after I finished my Masters but declined the job offer because I got it on the same day I was offered my first role at a marketing agency. A couple of days earlier and things might have been very different!
What’s the most valuable piece of financial advice you ever received?
Received but never followed: When you get a pay increase, pretend you haven’t and set up a standing order to put the difference into your savings. I really wish I had followed that advice.
Work-life balance. What are your thoughts?!
There’s no magic recipe or perfect balance equation?. Life happens and work happens – not always in sync and sometimes with competing priorities. I also think everyone’s version of balance is different. I love being busy at work and busy at home, so I don’t tend to sit still until about 10pm. That might be someone else’s version of hell!
What has been your most proud moment in business so far?
In recent years, I’ve had several ‘oh god look at us go’ moments when we’ve won new business or achieved positive yearly results. However, my proudest moments are when our entire team is together, and I can see our amazing culture in action.
Having a five-year plan – yes or no?
In business, yes. Personally, absolutely not.
What’s your ‘go-to’ quotation for inspiration?
I’m slightly allergic to inspirational quotes, but at least once a week, I’ll say: “What got us here, won’t get us there.”
If you knew then what you know now, would you do anything differently?
How long have we got?! My biggest regret is not doing French or Spanish in college and becoming fluent in one or the other (rather than having pigeon versions of both where I can manage to order a coffee or find my way to a beach but little else). I also would have taken some of the advice I’ve given above, in particular on the savings and the imposter syndrome!
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