Recently I assigned a homework exercise to my freshman students, titled, ‘The person who has had the most positive effect directly in your community’.
By Patrick O’Halloran
I instructed the students to detail why this person in their eyes was seen as a positive influence within their community and to clearly show what the person has done to validate their recognition. The assignment was given so that I could use it as a template directly relating it to the course, ‘Business Leadership Today’.
As this was the first semester for the students, they had many questions and sought clarification so that there was no misunderstanding. As today’s students are generally super sharp and not afraid to put their professor, supervisor or their parents on the spot, the inevitable question was posed, “Professor can you please tells us about the person within your community who had a positive and lasting effect on it”? Without hesitation I recalled and related in detail my formal years growing up in Kilkishen village.
One person for me stood head and shoulders above everyone else. Flan Gleeson was General Manager of Knappogue, Craggaunowen, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. I first observed Mr. Gleeson as a business role model when I was completing my final year at Rockwell College. At this time all students completing their final year had to attend a mandatory weekly workshop during the semester. It focused on preparing students for future interviews, networking and strategies as it related to their career paths. At our first session, Professor Tobin who was an amazing educator, requested everyone to focus on someone that they knew who was a successful manager and each week students would have to present a snapshot/synopsis of positive traits that were the hallmark of the person that they had chosen.
Throughout my semester presentation, I focused on Mr. Gleeson’s educational background/qualifications, his dress code, adherence to his professional and personal positive disposition and his proved track record as it related to the bottom line in a most challenging and competitive market. At the close of the workshop, to my delight Professor Tobin noted that, “the leadership traits that Pat extolled with regard to Mr. Flan Gleeson should be noted and whenever possible incorporated into your overall everyday management strategies and mantras”. Mr. Gleeson’s influence did not end there.
As I entered the work force, Mr. Gleeson became a role model and confidant. Fast forward to May 2018, I was on a long overdue vacation to Kilkishen village with my nine year old son Bryce while my wife Tricia and our older son Eamonn remained in New York. Early one afternoon my childhood best friend, Jim Lynch and I had planned to pop in to say a very quick “hi and bye” to our mutual friends that I had not chatted with in more than sixteen years. Mr. Gleeson’s pop in was scheduled to wrap up the evening on a high note.
While chatting with Séan Hehir, retired National School principal in Kilkishen, I mentioned to Séan that our last pop in is to see Flan and Bríd. Immediately Séan stated that “the community owe a deep, deep gratitude for all that Flan has done for not alone the community but for so many families”. Jim at once stated that, “I can attest to that, Flan gave me my first job. I travelled to and from work in his car that also was occupied by my fellow workers. Flan inspired me to open my first Post Office savings account at Nonies. He also directed me to contribute generously to our house budget account on a weekly basis”.
Throughout the discussion, it became obvious that Mr. Gleeson had ensured that people in the community who needed a pay cheque and who were willing and able to work were suitably employed in a place that attracted people from all over the world. This exposure to all employees, especially adults just starting out in their working careers was so beneficial to all in so many ways. Séan closed out the conversation by stating, “Flan found employment for so many when it was most needed within the community”.
As Jim and I sat and chatted with Flan and Bríd a short time later, I realised that Mr. Gleeson was and still is just a wonderful, decent human being who has made the world a better place by his unselfish and caring disposition. Mr. Gleeson has lived by the mantra that we all should adhere to, “if you cannot do a favor for someone make sure you never do them any harm”. Mr. Gleeson you have lead by example and have proved to be “A Man For All The Community”, thank you Sir.
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Pat O’Halloran is originally from Kilkishen in County Clare. He now lives in Cold Spring NY with his wife Tricia and sons Eamonn and Bryce. He teaches at Marymount Manhattan College and is a union organizer with Local 32BJ NYC.
