'People will do anything for you if they are learning and if they feel appreciated’

Be a good listener and have a positive attitude even when you’re not really feeling it, according to Deirdre Mortell of Social Innovation Fund Ireland

Deirdre Mortell is chief executive at Social innovation Fund Ireland. “In my job, trust – and a lot of it – is the foundation for everything I do.” Picture: Michael O‘Sullivan

Someone close to me advised me to get into business, because it would allow me to have a “real career”. That was really bad advice.

One of my pet hates is this widespread view that people who work in the non-profit sector somehow couldn’t hack it in the “real world” – whatever that is.

In my experience, non-profit leaders are typically talented and agile – and boy, can they get things done. I have a ...