What went well?

• We had the opportunity to meet Ailbhe Smyth, a key figure in the fight for same-sex marriage and abortion rights in the Republic of Ireland, in advance of an interview to be conducted in late July. Preparing interview questions and backgrounders on her engagement in cross-border movements for equality taught me about the critical importance of including women's and other marginalized communities' voices in peace processes. 
• We visited Armagh for the first time, a key cross-border city where the Centre's offices are located. 

What could have gone differently?

• Exploring Armagh would have been very interesting, given that it is the all-island ecclesiastical capital for both the Anglican (Church of Ireland) and Catholic churches in a border region. However, our reliance on a colleague for transport between Armagh and Belfast meant we didn't have enough time to visit key sites or talk to locals. 

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

• Our in-person meeting with the whole team was very encouraging - I work better in face-to-face connections and am much more engaged with the topics being discussed. I'm also more willing to contribute to discussions in these environments. 

What did I learn about leadership?

• The Centre for Cross-Border Studies has a very small team of only 5 full-time employees running a wide variety of projects, programs, research work, convenings, and grant applications. Seeing each person take responsibility for all of the tasks in their purview showed me that each member of a team exercises leadership in ensuring that their part of the whole functions smoothly, thereby ensuring the success of the whole. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

• I want to engage more in the policy impacts on cross-border communities, particularly with the actual text and implications of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the Windsor Framework.