Why the best energy teams are built on trust and shared goals

What’s your leadership philosophy, and how do you motivate your team?

Over my 10 years with Energia, I’ve learned a huge amount and my leadership style has evolved along the way. I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of great people whose approaches have really shaped how I lead today, while still staying true to my own values.

Now, my focus is on empowering people, encouraging new ideas, and being really clear on what we’re trying to achieve. When people understand why we’re doing something and feel trusted to play their part, they naturally step up.

Two bits of advice that really stuck with me during my Energia journey were:

• Speak up and be visible – say yes to opportunities, get involved in projects, and represent your team.
• Lead authentically – bring your own style, empathy, and strengths to your role.

I always make sure my team understands how their work links back to Energia’s future. Open communication is key, as is giving people room to innovate, recognising successes, and creating an environment where it’s okay to learn from mistakes.

Managing commercial energy accounts takes both technical and relationship skills. How does Energia support this development?

Energia puts a big emphasis on continuous learning and practical experience. New team members start with a thorough induction that covers energy markets, regulation, pricing, and contracts, so everyone has a solid foundation from day one.

We also run regular lunch & learn sessions, encourage junior team members to shadow more experienced colleagues, and focus heavily on one‑to‑one coaching using real account scenarios.

We’re currently developing an Energy Leadership Pathway as part of our new Sales Academy, which blends technical expertise with leadership skills. On top of that, people are encouraged to get involved in cross‑functional projects to broaden their experience and understanding of the business.

Our HR team plays a strong role too, offering learning and development programmes on areas like having difficult conversations and using AI in the modern workplace. Around 70% of learning happens in‑house, supported by a very successful internal mentoring programme that helps pass knowledge on and develop the next generation of energy professionals.

How does Energia encourage effective teamwork across sales and other functions?

Everything starts with the client. For our larger accounts, we create dedicated cross‑functional teams that include everyone needed to deliver for that client. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined from the outset, so everyone knows both what they own and how their work fits into the bigger picture.

We hold monthly strategy sessions to review client goals, set priorities, and agree clear actions with owners and timelines. Weekly stand‑ups then keep things moving; tracking progress, flagging risks early, and adjusting resources if needed.

To make collaboration easier, we use shared tools, dashboards, and documentation so everyone is working from the same information. We also put a lot of emphasis on respecting each function’s expertise. Meetings are structured so every voice is heard, and teams are encouraged to explain the why behind their decisions or constraints, which really helps reduce friction.

When things go well, success is celebrated as a shared achievement. Collaboration isn’t optional here, it’s simply how we work.

What trends are you seeing in the market, and how is Energia preparing for what’s next?

Ireland’s energy sector is changing rapidly, driven by climate targets, new technology, and increasing demand.

Energia is positioning itself to lead this transition through continued investment in renewables. We are also supporting homes and businesses as they work to reduce their carbon footprints, exploring the growing crossover between energy and digital infrastructure, and leading community‑focused sustainability initiatives.

At the heart of it all is our people‑first approach. By building teams based on trust, shared purpose, and clear goals and by investing in learning, collaboration, and authentic leadership, Energia creates an environment where people feel confident, valued, and motivated.

As the sector continues to evolve, this culture helps us stay agile, innovative, and focused on our clients. Strong relationships, both internally and externally, and a shared commitment to Ireland’s energy future mean our teams are not only delivering today, but helping lead the way to a more sustainable tomorrow.