Testimonials

"Having worked a long time with Julia I can say she has a strong intuition which she puts to good use to seek out the real issues, sometimes discussing difficult or uncomfortable issues that need to be addressed. Always generous with her time she allows people see the possibilities and come up with useful ways to resolve problems and see a better way forward"
National Sales Director
Global Pharma Organisation
"In my function, Julia has facilitated sessions ranging in size from 50+ people from across Europe and beyond, to small teams. Her focus on establishing clear objectives and then creating an environment where people can engage with honesty and purpose are the keys to impactful sessions which strengthen relationships and create the commitment and momentum we need to achieve business results"
Vice-President
HR Europe and Russia, Irish Multi-National
"I was delighted to work with Julia Rowan on a leadership development session for a group of senior managers in the higher education sector. Leading a unit that has grown substantially in recent years, but where the detailed work of team-building had not been undertaken, Julia took a very proactive approach to her brief, meeting twice with me in advance of a half-day session, and interviewing a number of my staff. This led to very positive results on the day, with many of my staff having the opportunity to reflect on our shared leadership for the first time. Since the leadership development session, my unit has now formalised a Senior Managers Group, and has invited different members of the broader leadership team to work on new solutions to some of our shared problems. Julia's training session served as a wonderful catalyst for action."
Senior Team Leader
Third Level Institution
"Julia’s service is aptly named and reflects the quality of the facilitation provided. As a 3rd level higher educational provider of professional services to students, we are continuously seeking to enhance our teamwork and capabilities to assure an outstanding student experience. In providing an extremely professional service, she is both challenging and insightful, reading both the concerns and needs of the team efficiently and formulating effective collaborative development strategies. Julia comes prepared, her style is positive and solution orientated and it leaves everybody feeling that they not only have a voice in the process but can and do have a role in effecting the change needed for the team to grow. The team left the development day feeling something important had been achieved. I would recommend Julia without hesitation"
Senior Team Leader
Third Level Institution
"Julia brings heart and soul to supporting teams make meaningful changes while ensuring that practical outcomes emerge. She was excellent at setting our team and programme set up for success"
Chief Architect Europe (IT)
American Multi-National
"I have found Julia’s interventions to be timely, well considered and of great benefit. I have found having an external objective voice/facilitator to be a great help. I would have no hesitation in recommending working with Julia.”
C-Suite Director
Professional Services Firm
"Julia ran a workshop with my team, which facilitates groups daily in the challenging area of addiction. A lot of work was achieved in a short amount of time, yet it didn’t feel rushed. Overall the team found the workshop motivating, challenging and of practicable benefit in the workplace. This workshop is now a firm fixture in our yearly plan."
MOD, Service Manager
Not-for-profit Organisation
“From the outset I found that Julia had, very quickly, understood the needs of our organisation and the nature of our work. As a result, the leadership development programme she delivered addressed every objective set and was pitched at exactly the right level. Julia’s ability to adapt the programme based on constructive feedback elicited through the nine-month programme ensured participants had a truly interactive programme."
Director for Human Resources
Not-for-profit Organisation
“We are a young fast-growing company in the financial sector, providing advisory services to investment funds active in more than 30 emerging markets and developing countries. With a team of almost 200 employees, it is essential for us to continuously enhance our skills to effectively manage teams and coach talent. Against this background, our company organized a series of leadership workshops with Performance Matters for all leaders. Based on the excellent results of this first experience, other workshops were repeated on subsequent years, addressed to a broader group. Julia has worked with three different groups, seeking to optimize their operations. We are very satisfied with our cooperation with Performance Matters and can certainly recommend their programmes.”
Senior Manager
Asset Management Company Frankfurt
“Julia worked with a large recently integrated IT team of 160+ busy people and really helped us to build momentum in getting our people energised to empower themselves to make the difference. She did this by listening to people, recognising and confronting their fears and ultimately helping everyone to understand that change was within our own capability if we took proactive and positive action. Julia also worked with some of our IT management team (individually and with specific units) to help them prioritise and move their businesses forward. Her approach is collaborative yet challenging and this model has been very effective with a number of key senior people in our team. Our business has a much clearer view of what it needs to focus on for success and Julia’s support was a big factor in arriving at this outcome.”
Senior Leader
Multi-National Insurance Company
“Due to her sheer experience and insights of working with such a wide range of executives and different personality types, Julia quickly sees into the heart of the team and – without steering – facilitates the group to be brave, to ask exactly the questions which need to be asked and suggests practical ways to address team problems. She provided the space for the quieter team members to contribute, and for reflection both as a team and as individuals. Additionally, in terms of my own development as a leader, in her sessions I was able to perceive the value of self-reflection as a basis to strengthen the team and to question and improve my own interactions. Julia always has a vast toolbox of practical, experience-based tips which really work, which is particularly useful for busy leaders who need tools, not theory.”
Senior Leader
International Financial Institution
Morgan McKinley engaged Performance Matters to deliver part of the Leadership Development Programme in the Dublin business. Julia’s module on Coaching for Performance was key for the business as it builds a coaching culture in the organisation. Feedback from the participants in the workshop was excellent with many of them citing the Coaching module as one which significantly impacted their skills and ability to develop the potential of their teams. The programme has been shortlisted for Best Leadership Development Initiative in the 2018 IITD Awards.”
Ann O'Mahoney
Operations Director, Morgan McKinley