GETTING the most out of employees is not a matter of happenstance, but the result of creating the right conditions for people to perform at their best.
This was one of the key messages shared at a recent Shannon Chamber workshop focused on high performance in business.
The workshop, held at the Ei Electronics Centre of Excellence, was delivered by Muireann and Hugh Fitzmaurice of ClarityCoach.
Attendees also heard a case study from The Shannon Airport Group during a panel discussion featuring commercial director Vanessa McTigue and compliance and training manager Hillary Cleary.
Emphasising that individuals and teams can only truly excel when mindsets, behaviours, and connections are aligned, the ClarityCoach presenters urged attendees to prioritise employee engagement and create environments that support healthy levels of pressure.
Referencing a Gallup 2025 poll, which found that organisations with highly engaged teams outperform others by 21 per cent in profitability, and that nine per cent of global GDP is lost due to low engagement, speakers highlighted the impact engagement has on productivity, staff retention, innovation, and customer experience.
“Achieving this level of harmony in an organisation requires clear communication, removing silo thinking, while building trust and the ability to perform under pressure,” they said.
Vanessa McTigue and Hillary Cleary were part of a 36-strong Shannon Airport Group cohort that participated in leadership and communication training over the past two years.
They outlined benefits including stronger collaboration across departments and generations, improved interpersonal communication, enhanced resilience, and more strategic thinking.
“We have taken valuable insights that we’ve applied both personally and professionally,” they said.
“The programme has helped foster intergenerational collaboration, bringing together experienced professionals and new graduates from diverse areas to share challenges, goals and targets. While our roles differ, we all share the same objective, to ensure The Shannon Airport Group delivers value to its stakeholders.”
Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said the workshop demonstrated the value of structured performance and leadership development programmes for organisations across the region.
“My key takeaway is that high-performing teams don’t happen by chance,” she said.
“They are shaped by leaders who know how to harness people’s strengths and create clarity in fast-changing environments”.
For further information training options available through Shannon Chamber Skillnet, contact [email protected].