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Pictured at the Shannon Chamber seminar in Ei Electronics’ Centre of Excellence (l-r): Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamebr; Muireann and Hugh Fitzmaurice, ClarityCoach; Vanessa McTigue, commercial director and Hillary Cleary, compliance and training manager, The Shannon Airport Group. Photograph by Eamon Ward

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, both of whom are highly experienced in working with leadership teams to improve organisational performance. Attendees also heard a compelling case study from The Shannon Airport Group during a dynamic 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, many of whom work in human resource and people management roles, 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% in profitability, and that 9% of global GDP is lost due to low engagement, the speakers highlighted the significant impact engagement has on productivity, staff retention, innovation and customer experience. They explained that targeting mindset (thinking), behaviour (acting) and connections (interactions) within teams is key to individual growth and building adaptable, resilient organisations.

“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, before outlining how their interventions are delivering tangible benefits within The Shannon Airport Group.

Vanessa McTigue and Hillary Cleary, who were part of a 36-strong Shannon Airport Group that participated in leadership and communication training over the past two years, spoke positively about the impact the programme has had at both a personal and organisational level.

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.

“The one-to-one coaching has been immensely beneficial. It has helped us prioritise time for ourselves, maintain a healthier work-life balance and build greater consistency into our working lives,” they added.

Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said the workshop demonstrated the significant 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. Given the positive impact this programme can have on employee performance, we will be encouraging more companies to consider training of this nature, which can be delivered at a subsidised cost through our Skillnet Business Network.”

For further information on this programme, or the range of training options available through Shannon Chamber Skillnet, contact Aisling Ryan, manager, Shannon Chamber Skillnet at aryan@shannonchamber.ie