Claire O'Connor Coaching Logo

Senior women reach the top by finding the extra 1%.

I coach senior women in pharma and medtech, financial services, and legal and professional services, along with founders and owners running their own businesses.

Directors, VPs, site heads and the women whose name is on the door. I work across the US, Ireland and the UK.

4x All-Ireland Champion. 2x All-Star. Twenty-one years at the top of the game.

Claire O'Connor - Executive Coach

What is the extra 1%?

The extra 1% is not more effort. You are already working hard enough, and more hours will not fix what is actually in the way.

It is three things.

  • 01

    Clarity

    The first question I ask is what you want, as distinct from what your partner wants, what your children need, or what your team is asking of you. Most women have not been asked that in years.

  • 02

    Presence

    Being seen and believed by the people who decide. That is pausing instead of rushing, saying the thing you actually meant, and knowing what the next level requires.

  • 03

    Capacity

    Not doing everything yourself. Delegating, having the conversation you have been avoiding, and getting your evenings and weekends back off the work.

How I get it out of you

I give you small tools you can use before your next meeting ends. We start with fifteen minutes and one question, which is what can I do for myself right now that gives me more clarity in my day. Then we do it again next week, and the week after. Twenty-one years in elite sport taught me that is how the margins move.

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Coaching women at the highest level

“No one is coming to save you. You have to take the next step yourself.”

This is a place to name what is getting in your way, choose what matters now, and take the next clear action with practical support and accountability to help you keep moving.

Who I Work With

For the moments that change how you lead.

A performance review. A promotion interview. A bigger role. A business that has outgrown its old ways of working. Claire starts with what you want and the reality of carrying it.

Established Leaders

You are respected and capable, but your career feels stuck. You are ready to be seen and trusted at the level where you already work.

Leaders Finding Their Feet

You are 12 to 18 months into a bigger role, learning delegation, difficult conversations, executive presence, and how to own the room.

Women Founders & Operators

You built something meaningful, but too much depends on you. Lead without becoming the Chief Everything Officer or sacrificing the life you are building.

People & Culture Leaders

You are investing in leaders your organisation cannot afford to lose. Coaching can support stronger communication, retention, and performance where it matters most.

Does This Sound Familiar?

The problem is rarely your capability.

These are some of the patterns Claire hears from capable women under pressure.

01

“I can do the work. I just can’t seem to talk about it.”

You downplay your contribution in reviews, interviews, and rooms where it matters, even when the people around you can see your value clearly.

02

“I become less capable around people I see as more senior.”

You put decision makers on a pedestal, lose your anchor in important moments, and leave conversations wishing you had said what you really meant.

03

“If I drop the ball at home, I make it up by doing more everywhere.”

Guilt creates overcommitment. Overcommitment creates exhaustion. Before long, the cycle becomes the way you live.

04

“I already do the job. I just don’t have the title.”

You are gathering proof while others are recognised for potential. It is time to make your leadership visible without performing a version of yourself that does not fit.

The Methodology

Tools to use before your next meeting ends.

Claire makes complex ideas usable. These tools help turn self awareness into practical action: a clearer boundary, a better conversation, or your next decision.

Meet Claire
  • 01

    S.T.O.P.

    Stop. Take a breath. Observe. Proceed. Give yourself space before you react.

  • 02

    Control, Influence, Accept

    Separate what you can control, what you can influence, and what you need to accept.

  • 03

    What is Important Now?

    A simple reset when everything feels urgent.

  • 04

    The Deliberate Pause

    A moment to pause before an automatic yes, no, or reaction.

  • 05

    3-2-1 Reflection

    Notice three wins, two areas to work on, and one thing to feel proud of.

  • 06

    Thoughts, Feelings, Actions

    Notice how your thoughts connect to your feelings and actions, then choose deliberately.

Client Reviews

Hear from people Claire has worked with.

Public Google reviews, shared with first names only, reflecting the clarity, practical tools, and human connection clients describe.

5.0 · 42 reviews
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Heather

Local Guide

★★★★★a month ago

Claire O’Connor is one of the most inspiring, authentic, and impactful speakers I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing. She takes that high functioning, female entrepreneur, and helps them reach their full potential!

She has an incredible gift for connecting with people, making every person in the room feel seen, understood, and capable of more than they imagined.

Her message is practical, empowering, and delivered with genuine passion. Claire doesn’t just motivate you in the moment, she gives you tools and a new perspective that stay with you long after she’s finished speaking. Her warmth, wisdom, and authenticity are truly remarkable.

If you ever have the opportunity to hear Claire speak or work with her, don’t hesitate. She is a true leader who inspires others to become the very best version of themselves. Highly recommend!

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Shanaz

Local Guide

★★★★★a month ago

Claire is an exceptional executive coach who helps high-performing women lead with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose. She has a remarkable ability to inspire, challenge, and empower you to reach the next level, both personally and professionally. Whether she’s coaching one-on-one or speaking to a room full of leaders, Claire’s passion, insight, and genuine commitment to helping women succeed are truly outstanding. If you’re ready to invest in yourself and your leadership journey, Claire is the person to call.

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Melika

Google reviewer

★★★★★a month ago

Claire has really opened my eyes to managing my time, understanding my nervous system, and feeling reborn. Whenever I feel like I’m letting go of myself again, I revert back to the tools she showed me. Her advice and support have stuck with me and I am forever grateful for working with her.

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Dianne

Google reviewer

★★★★★4 months ago

Claire has been a blessing to my life. Thanks to her coaching I have grown both professionally and personally. I have learned to see myself with different eyes now! Feel more self aware, more confident and more able to get what I want or need!

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Sandra

Google reviewer

★★★★★a year ago

Claire has done two workshops and individual sessions with the team in Ireland. Before the first workshop, my ambition was that we would set personal and professional goals and work on that. Claire did that with us and more: she managed to get us working together as a team and focus on our strengths. I think this is what is unique with Claire: her sporting and teaching background allows her to bring out the best in people and work together as a team. I would highly recommend her and wish her continued success.

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Riley

Google reviewer

★★★★★a year ago

Claire is the BEST thing that ever happened to me. I initially went with Claire because I felt she truly heard me, saw my concerns, and cared about my well-being. She proved this in each session by asking insightful questions and using guided techniques that helped me narrow my focus on what I truly want in life. She constantly went above and beyond, checking in on me outside of sessions and being a constant support throughout the entire process. She is an absolute delight, and I am so lucky to have had her as a coach. I cannot recommend her enough.

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Bríd

Google reviewer

★★★★★2 years ago

I did one session with Claire when I felt I had taken on more than I could manage and it was one of the best things I could have done for myself. So important and beneficial was that one session, that I signed up for 3 more sessions until I felt like I was back to a place where I had more control. Claire has a warm, empathetic and assertive approach to her work and couples this with really beneficial methods and practices.

I felt like she understood where I was coming from instantly and I would have no hesitation in recommending Claire to anyone that needs a little help, especially busy mothers.

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Maggie

Google reviewer

★★★★★a year ago

I attended a workshop of Claire’s and I’m amazed how much she can pack in 30 minutes. I really appreciate her energy, enthusiasm and just being “real” about the topics of the basics, boundaries and balance. Highly recommend Claire!

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Kara

Local Guide

★★★★★a month ago

Claire is an exceptional personal coach. She has always given me amazing guidance, tips, and advice on how to be my best self, both personally and professionally. When I’m with Claire, I feel encouraged, seen, and inspired. As a mom and small business owner who wears a million hats, Claire helps me clear my head, focus on what truly matters, and provides tangible and executable strategies to help me find success and satisfaction in my life and work. If you are a woman or a business leader looking for personal or professional coaching for yourself or your team, call Claire!

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Ainsley

Google reviewer

★★★★★a month ago

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Claire personally, and she is one of the most genuine, encouraging people you’ll ever meet. She has a way of making people feel seen, heard, and capable of achieving more than they thought possible. I can’t recommend her enough to anyone looking for a life coach who truly cares.

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Britt

Local Guide

★★★★★a month ago

I was spiraling with my position at our law firm and trying to keep home life all in balance. I wasn’t depressed or anxious, but I knew I needed help with the stress of it all. Claire offered a 12 week course that met once a week. I literally teared up when I approached her and said “I need this!” After the first day, she already gave us all tools on how to reset our thought process. It wasn’t an overnight miracle. We had a little homework but it was all for our own growth. I dove in!

Meeting other women with same pressures and challenges was also a blessing. I wasn’t alone. I’m not a group therapy kind of person, but this all felt different. Focused help on what we needed. Claire also checked in every Monday and Friday and at the end of the 12 weeks, she offered continued support until I was like “I got this” and didn’t need to continue.

If you are a woman needing executive help, I would 100% recommend Claire! Life is still crazy, but using her tools and teachings keep me balanced and focused even to this day.

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Barbara

Local Guide

★★★★★a day ago

Claire is genuine, relatable, encouraging, and positive, but also direct when needed. I would absolutely recommend her to any woman who feels like she’s constantly doing all the things and could use a little help finding more clarity, confidence, and balance. Claire truly understands how hard it can be to juggle career, family, responsibilities, and everything else life throws at you, while somehow still trying to make time for yourself. She has a wonderful way of asking the right questions, helping you look at things from a different perspective, and giving you practical tools you can actually use in everyday life.

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Raymond

Google reviewer

★★★★★a year ago

From teaching emotional intelligence to focusing on individual strengths to contribute to the team, Claire’s coaching sessions are a ‘Tour de Force’. She gave our company direction and was crucial kick-starting our corporate culture, discovering strengths we didn’t even know we had! Can’t recommend highly enough if your company is in need of ‘Group Therapy’!

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Mags

Google reviewer

★★★★★2 years ago

I sought out Claire to deliver a Performance and Leadership workshop for an elite female intercounty team. As a coach, I wanted an external, experienced voice to facilitate a ‘Reflect & Reset’ session focused on goal setting mid-season. Claire’s preparation was exceptional. She conducted pre-workshop evaluations with each player to tailor her approach. She effectively addressed accountability and goal setting, helping the team refocus on the three key performance objectives we set out at the start of the year.

Claire truly understood the unique challenges female athletes face, including balancing life outside of sport, and her coaching methods provided the springboard we needed to push forward. Her workshop came at just the right time, and it made a real impact on our team and girls personally. Would highly recommend Claire for any group looking to achieve a collective goal, sport or otherwise.

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Andrea

Google reviewer

★★★★★a year ago

I had the privilege of working with Claire, and it was an exceptional experience. As it was my first time engaging with a coach, I gained a deep appreciation for the value and impact of having one. During our sessions, we discussed both personal and professional goals and developed a clear strategy to achieve them.

Often, we fall into the habit of going through routines without a defined purpose. However, with Claire’s guidance, I gained a profound sense of clarity regarding the steps I need to take to make a meaningful impact in my life and inspire others.

I wholeheartedly recommend Claire. She is an excellent communicator and an outstanding coach!

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Einat

Local Guide

★★★★★a year ago

I had the privilege of experiencing a 3-day workshop with Claire, and it was exactly what I needed. She brings such a grounded, thoughtful presence and creates a space that feels both powerful and safe. Her insight, clarity, and intuitive guidance left a lasting impact. Claire is truly gifted at helping women reconnect with themselves and lead with more intention and ease. Highly recommend!

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Andrew

Google reviewer

★★★★★a week ago

Claire is incredible! She has an amazing ability to understand and listen to people in order to uncover what’s holding them back from their full potential. She gives clear and actionable steps to help better yourself, get out of your own head, and overcome obstacles. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone that’s feeling stuck, looking to better their leadership skills, or improve their confidence.

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Gina

Google reviewer

★★★★★a year ago

I attended Claire’s mastermind on setting priorities, and how to break them down into measurable action steps. It was a well spent hour really breaking down my goals into priorities and what is realistic. My biggest takeaway was a way to wrap up my day: 3 things I’ve done well, 2 I would like to work on again tomorrow, and 1 that I am really proud of. So powerful.

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AmyNoelle

Local Guide

★★★★★2 years ago

Sitting down with Claire has given me space to explore why and when I feel overwhelmed. She has such a wealth of patience and compassion while also making me face up to some hard truths. Between sit downs, she takes the time to check in and encourage me both personally and professionally. Each conversation ends with practical steps that help me navigate the daily and cumulative stresses.

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Madeline

Local Guide

★★★★★2 years ago

Claire is a gem, and she’s also a powerful leader in helping women to overcome burnout and live a happier, more fulfilling life. I would highly recommend taking her classes or taking advantage of her 1:1 coaching program. Don’t hesitate to make the decision to work with her!

About Claire

Practical support from someone who has been there.

With twenty-one years in elite sport and four All-Ireland titles, Claire knows the difference between looking successful and feeling successful.

Claire O'Connor coaching