One of the best things about leadership is that no two journeys look the same — but when two leaders come together to build something, you start to see where philosophies align and where unique perspectives spark innovation.
For this edition of A Love Letter to Leadership, I’m joined by Dave O’Mahony and Eimear O’Halloran, co-founders of SoundBoard & Tapestry, who have each walked their own leadership paths, only to arrive at a shared vision for how leadership should be done.
This is their joint love letter to leadership.
Growing up, what single word best described your perception of leadership?
Dave: Responsibility. Even from an early age, I saw leadership as carrying weight for others for outcomes, for the choices you make.
Eimear: All-knowing. As a child, I genuinely thought leaders knew everything. It took time (and experience) to learn that the best leaders don’t have all the answers, but they do know how to find them.
What’s one belief about leadership that you’ve held onto, even when others didn’t?
Dave: Act with integrity, no exceptions. Leadership demands hard decisions, and sometimes those decisions can feel conflicting. Challenge openly those around you when you feel it’s not the right decision (if you can’t you are probably not in the right place) and yes, sometimes you may need to disagree and commit. In the end, If you can explain your thought process with your team with heart and transparency, you will be trusted.
Eimear: It’s all about the people around you, not you as an individual. A leader’s role is to serve, support, and elevate their team.
Beyond skills, what mindset shift do you believe is crucial for aspiring leaders?
Dave: Optimism. As Morgan Housel says, “Pessimists sound smart. Optimists make money” and I think you could replace “money” with “leaders.” You have to believe in a better future if you expect people to follow you there.
Eimear: Adaptability. It’s up to you to meet people where they are, not expect them to meet you where you are. Great leadership flexes to the needs, personalities, and situations of the team.
If you could bottle one essential quality of great leadership, what would it be and why?
Dave: The ability to “take it to the balcony” to step out of the weeds and see the bigger picture. That perspective changes everything.
Eimear: Empathy. Seeking to understand others — their motivations, their concerns, their perspectives — builds trust and makes for more human-centred decisions.
What do you want your leadership legacy to be?
Dave: I want to have unlocked the potential of thousands of talented people. That’s impact worth chasing.
Eimear: I want people to feel I genuinely cared. That I showed up for them when it mattered most, and that my leadership left a positive mark on their careers and lives.
What is left to say on leadership?
Dave: Be principled early. Write down your principles, share them, and be open to them evolving over time. That clarity builds trust.
Eimear: Leadership comes with influence, please only use it for good. Power without kindness isn’t leadership at all.
Thank you for reading this joint letter from Dave and Eimear. Their perspectives remind us that leadership isn’t one voice or one style — it’s a conversation. And sometimes, the most powerful leadership stories are the ones told together.
As I read through their answers, what struck me most was how their philosophies meet in the middle. Dave’s emphasis on responsibility, optimism, and big-picture thinking pairs seamlessly with Eimear’s deep commitment to empathy, adaptability, and people-first leadership. Together, they prove that strong leadership doesn’t require you to lead in the same way — it requires you to lead towards the same vision.
That’s exactly why I started this series. A Love Letter to Leadership isn’t about one perfect definition. It’s about collecting the real, human truths of leadership from those who live it every day, and passing them on for the next generation of leaders to build upon.
With care,
Emma
August 14, 2025
