“From the Garda to the Games: My Journey in High-Performance Psychology”
Niall focuses on helping leaders understand who they are and how to simplify and practically apply existing leadership theory. He is passionate about helping leaders, coaches and educators appreciate the power of emotional intelligence and communication in celebrating difference in teams and recognising the needs of the individuals in their organisations.
This has shaped Niall’s unique approach to leadership development, appreciating the importance of reframing experiences, developing emotionally intelligent behaviours and building high performance cultures.
During his time in the Garda Niall developed key skills that have shaped his career since. The ability to listen, to stay clam under pressure, to problem solve and to communicate clearly in high stress situations. All skills that have proven invaluable in the high-performance environments his career has taken him to.
Championing emotional intelligence in leadership Niall completed post graduate work in sport psychology bringing together his two passions sport and human behaviour. During his studies Niall read a book by Professor Terry Orlick, Head of Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. Terry was a ground breaker in the world of implementing psychological theory in sport. Niall decided to send an email to Terry’s Department at the University of Ottawa for his attention and to his surprise Terry replied. A friendship/mentorship relationship blossomed which brought Niall to Canada and opened doors into the world of working with high performing athletes.
2 decades and several Olympics and World Championships later Niall has returned home to Ireland and is bringing his learnings to leadership development in the corporate world. Championing high performance behaviours and emotional intelligence in corporate settings. Recognising how our unique differences contribute to our team’s performance.
Early Career
Detective in the Garda
Working as a Garda Detective was fundamental in shaping Niall’s appreciation of human behaviour, decision-making, and leadership under pressure.
During this time Niall developed key skills that have shaped his success including problem-solving, an awareness of the power of emotional intelligence, and a key understanding of resilience.
Transition to Sport Psychology
Niall took the questions he developed during his time in the Garda and started studying psychology. He decided to marry this with his passion for sports and decided to do a masters in sport psychology. Whilst studying he read a book by Professor Terry Orlick The Pursuit of Excellence) one of the ground breakers in sports psychology. Niall took a chance and sent an email to the department in the University of Ottawa that Terry was Head of. Luckily for Niall, Terry responded and so began a series of conversations which led to Niall working with some the leading athletes in the world, bringing him to several Olympics.
Through Niall’s work with multiple Olympic and World champions he has developed a keen sense of what it takes to be successful. An appreciation of resilience derived from emotional intelligence. This is what Niall calls High Performance Behaviours.
Business Leadership & Culture
The lessons Niall has learned in success and more importantly failure from the sports world has helped him design and build leadership strategies for business leaders that engage and inspire.
The skills required for teams to thrive in high performance environments require key elements of emotional intelligence, communication and leadership in driving high-performance cultures in large organizations.
Programme Design & Education
Niall has designed award-winning training programmes across three continents that have impacted coaches, leaders, and teachers.
Recently Niall has created a new accredited college course championing the role of emotional intelligence in building high-performance behaviours for leaders and educators.