Alumni Testimonials
Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of UCD Smurfit Executive Development’s approach. No matter how far you have advanced in your career, there are always new insights to uncover, different mind-sets to explore and more opportunities for growth. Smurfit Executive Development’s transformational experience has made an impact on executives around the globe. Here are a few stories from participants who embraced their Diploma in Business & Executive Coaching journey and emerged equipped to grow themselves, their teams and their organisations.
Anne D'Arcy, HR Lead at Google
"It was a phenomenal personal transformation journey. The diversity of the professional experience amongst my class in the Diploma in Business & Executive Coaching enabled a remarkable bonding experience for the entire group. The construct of the programme and how one module phases to another is really well architected. When I look back, I wish I had done it sooner. Yes, it does take time in commitment, but it's worthwhile and I really enjoyed it."
David Carson, Executive Business Coach, Mentor, Non Executive Director
"The Diploma is a combination of learning and experience. It’s hugely rewarding sitting down with people you’ve never met before and helping them. You’ve got to build up a relationship of trust with people and give them the space to talk. Listening to people and giving them the space to allow them to come up with their own solutions is incredibly powerful. The course tutors are fantastic and the people in the class were all very supportive. I would certainly recommend it to others, I can’t speak highly enough about it. The amount of time and effort that the Smurfit team put into the course to facilitate participants is incredible."
Audrey O'Sullivan, General Counsel Legal Director at SIRO
"I had come from a corporate background which was very driven and focused on getting the job done. The coaching programme taught me to think about more than that. To consider what I was thinking, how I was feeling emotionally, my mood. You learn to become much more patient rather than reacting."
Peter Fox, Business Development Director, Digicom
"This Diploma has had the most impact on me, because of the self-awareness it creates and the tools it gives you around trying to encourage change. The programme was delivered virtually due to COVID and really worked. There were no barriers and it was a very supportive group."
Linda Allen, Head of Talent Management at Iarnród Éireann, Irish Rail
"The quality of the diploma makes it different to any other coaching programme. It is so interactive and the practical skills elements are where the real stuff happens. There is a very strong support network and the peer learning in class is great. You spend a lot of time building relationships and get a lot of learning from the coaching projects. Part of the skill in coaching is finding the real gems, working with people to challenge the perceived obstacles that are holding them back."
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