Speaker Insight Series - Philip Dempsey

• January 09, 2019
• Ciaran Walshe

Philip will be grilling the recruiters at Adminovate but before then we've asked him the tough questions for the fifth post in our 2019 Speaker Insight Series. We’ve borrowed the format from Tim Ferriss’s book ‘Tribe of Mentors’. You can read about the book here and buy it directly here.

Throughout the book, Tim poses 11 questions to his interviewees with the request to respond to 3 to 5 questions.. or more, if the spirit moves them. See Philip's answers below:

If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why? It could be a few words or a paragraph. (If helpful, it can be someone else’s quote: Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?)

“Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time.” – George Bernard Shaw.

What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)

We bought a BabyBjorn baby carrier when my eldest daughter Kate was born in the summer of 2009. We got serious use out of it with Kate as we enjoy hiking in the great outdoors in Wicklow. Fast forward to 2019, with a 9 month old, we still get lots of use out of it! He loves looking out from his birds eye view! The other 3 remind him that it’s theirs, and only on loan! I can’t remember what we paid for it - it owes us absolutely nothing at this stage, and it’s definitely showing its age!

What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?

I loved playing curbs (it’s an 80s Dublin suburban thing!) with my friends when I was growing up! I’ve now taught my two oldest daughters how to play, and one of them loves it! She plays it with her pals, and I still play it with her (and still try to win)!!

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

Be yourself, do what makes you happy, otherwise success becomes very difficult! Life is short, and your career even shorter, so make the most of your opportunities, and take guidance and advice from those you trust the most.

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations, etc.)? What new realizations and/or approaches helped? Any other tips?

I am much more selective about what industry events I attend. There are many great events, but it is important to give others in your organisation an opportunity to get out and network. It can help develop their careers, give them confidence in their own ability, and to engage with senior industry contacts. It also shows them the other side of our industry. After-all, our industry is all about people

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself?)

I have 2 escape hatches – either a walk along the canal from Baggot Street to Leeson Street bridge and back, or I have my Bose noise cancelling headphones, and my Spotify account, with my concentration music play lists! Luckily when I have my headphones with my music on, I can close my office door and nobody can see me deep in thought unless they try to drop in!