Frankie Sheahan is leading the corporate world on a journey of self-discovery
THE pressure of satisfying thousands of rugby fans on the pitch was something former Irish hooker Frankie Sheahan thrived on — he’s now relishing the same feeling trying to satisfy the business community.
The Pendulum Summit, organised by the Corkman in the Convention Centre Dublin today and tomorrow, has become the biggest of its kind in Ireland — possibly even the world — and will see 6,500 people from more than 50 countries listen to some of the most in-demand business leadership and self-empowerment speakers across the globe.
The summit has become the must- attend event for corporate Ireland since it was first held in January 2014. That year, astronaut Chris Hadfield was the marquee name. It has grown ever since, attracting speakers such as the motivational coach Tony Robbins, Irish rugby coach Joe Schmidt, and global explorer Pat Falvey.
This year features leading American success coach Jack Canfield; one of the world’s foremost leadership and personal development coaches, Robin Sharma; broadcaster Gráinne Seoige; and one of the most requested motivational speakers across the globe, Lisa Nichols.
It has been quite the journey of self-discovery for the 29-times Irish cap holder. Like thousands, he has had to battle back from financial dire straits. That trauma has been turned into a positive, he says.
“If I wasn’t in the financial situation that I was in, I could have started the Pendulum Summit myself. Fortunately, I had my brother Jono back me financially from the very start.
“It’s been a fantastic learning curve in one way when it comes to money. I’ve sold my own house and made my sacrifices and I’m sure there will be more to come. I have five small children and they are part of what gets me going.
“I have to create a future for my children. I’m going to work as long and hard as I can. It is tough when you and your wife are coming home at 8pm after a 7am start. The kids may be in beds and Grandma is after a long day of it. But that’s the sacrifice.
“My wife Norma and I love what we are doing for people. I’ve been so lucky that I absolutely adore what I’m doing now.”
In 2014, 600 people came to the one-day event. Last year, that number was 3,000. This year, over the two days, 6,500 will come through the doors, injecting an estimated €20m into the local economy.
Dublin lost one of its crown jewels, the Web Summit, to Lisbon but the Pendulum Summit is catching up in terms of prestige.
The former Munster great adds: “Winning events on the international stage has become big business. I’m actually on the board of Fáilte Ireland so I see this first hand.
“There are certain very large events and indeed smaller business events that different cities and countries bid for annually. There are hundreds of them out there. Ireland lost out to Lisbon on the back of that. From a business owner’s point of view, or an event promoter, it is one thing following your passion but you also have to make it economical also.
“You need to do what’s right by reducing costs and increasing income as much as possible. If another city is a viable option, you have to look at that. But this is about being Irish to me.”
As late as last week, a European city made a play to attract the Pendulum Summit, promising government funding to do so, he says. No deal, he insists.
“I made a statement on stage last year at Pendulum — why not bring the world to Ireland as opposed to bringing Pendulum to the world? We have definitely committed to Ireland for the near future and we hope to stay here. It is now the biggest event in Ireland and it is the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit.”
What is it that corporate Ireland gets from it all? Three things strike him the most, he says.
“I think — without jumping into the whole area of mental health — that in corporate Ireland, we do not give ourselves time to recycle, refresh and reinvigorate ourselves upstairs.
“We’ve been told by delegates that we are doing our bit to change that culture. There was a time when some asked why we needed that kind of thing. Now they are really buying into it.
“The second reason is that we are lucky enough to be in the position to lead people into their greatness. That may sound a little corny but we are facilitating the breaking down of barriers that stop people from becoming as good as they can be.”
The third is that he wants to assist small and medium enterprises generate money in a traditionally difficult period after Christmas. After all, he can empathise, he points out.
“We’re in a position to do our best for Ireland. We estimate that this will be worth €20m to the local economy.
“A lot of companies are organising their management meetings around it.
“The beauty about this is that it is being done at what is traditionally a very quiet time of year. We even push it into midweek so that the hoteliers and hospitality sector can generate more business. I booked six people a few weeks ago from New South Wales in Australia. We have people from South Africa, Holland, Denmark, Spain.
“We estimate over 50 different countries will be represented. We want people to meet each other, not just Irish people, but those from overseas also.”
THE desire for self-improvement came as a young boy. Writing down on a scrap of paper as a youngster that an Irish cap was one of his main goals is proof, he says, that everyone has a hand in their own destiny once the effort to be the best you can be is made. Sport, business, self-improvement — that ever elusive victory within is in reach.
“I’m probably a small bit more than what you’ve seen on the rugby pitch. Apart from rugby, I was always into personal development and self-development. They were my books of choice going back 30 years.
“I have old Tony Robbins cassette tapes, I have creative visualisation ones that I would read. I wasn’t a bookworm but personal development books were always my book of choice. I’d read everything from Think And Grow Rich to Psycho-Cybernetics to The Secret. Then I’d write down my dreams.
“Looking at a piece of paper years afterwards and seeing that I achieve those dreams, such as playing for Ireland, even though they had felt so far away, was immensely satisfying.”
He got the best education in leadership pulling on the green of Ireland and the red of Munster.
“Inadvertently I got an opportunity playing rugby that was almost PhD level in studying other leaders — the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Mick Galwey, Anthony Foley, Jim Williams, Declan Kidney, Eddie O’Sullivan, Warren Gatland.
“You end up by default getting some sort of qualification in seeing the brilliance of all these different styles of leadership. I then did a higher diploma in leadership from the Irish Management Institute two years ago, which was very useful in the development of all this.”
Today the event is sold out but there are limited places available tomorrow. Frankie Sheahan wants people from all walks of life to come if they can.
“There are so many events and conferences on every day. People have to watch their time and make it count.
“Do you go to okay conferences or do you invest in something that may be a game-changer? We’re bringing them altogether over two days.”
See www.pendulumsummit.com for more
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