Our Commitment to High Performance

At Kirk Roberts, we’re competitive. We want to deliver the best for both our people and our clients. This drive led us to examine our learning and development processes, asking: how can we better support our team to reach their full potential?

With launching our High Performance Pathways (HPP) programme – an internal initiative designed to bring clarity to career progression, streamline individual learning and automate support and mentorship – it’s important we focus in on the vision we are working towards.

We sat down with Kirk Roberts-sponsored elite kayaker Courtney Williams, who’s been competing internationally since 2016, to explore what separates good from world-class.

The 1% Better Philosophy

“How can I be 1% better than the day before?” Courtney asks. “Challenge yourself to show up every day and give your 100%, whatever that 100% is on that day.”

We understand high-performance isn’t about dramatic transformations or overnight success. It’s about consistent, incremental improvement. Some days your 100% might feel like 20%, but showing up consistently is what builds elite performance over time.

With our new internal programme this translates to continuous skill development, regular mentorship check-ins, actionable steps and celebration of the small improvements that together result in great outcomes, for clients and the company as a whole.

The Power of Reflection

When asked about lifting team performance, Courtney’s advice is simple: “Reflect on where you’re at currently. Review it and have those conversations. If you can identify issues, it makes it easier to plan ahead.”

Regular reflection, both individual and team-based, creates the foundation for meaningful development. HPP is designed to strengthen manager and mentor relationships, making the hard conversations easier to have by turning them into supported opportunities for learning and growth.

Courtney lived this last year after dislocating her shoulder at a World Cup event. With her support team around her and a step-by-step recovery plan, she worked through each phase. The result: a stronger comeback and personal best results this year.

We develop our people and our business the same way: with clarity, honesty, and resilience. Challenges and setbacks are part of any growth story. By reflecting on where we are and identifying where support is needed, we can plan deliberately, turning hardship into learning, and learning into progress.

Trust and Support Systems

Despite kayaking being an individual sport, Courtney relies heavily on her support team. “Trust is huge for me,” she explains. “I put a lot of trust in my coach and my support team. They’re the experts in their fields, and if I can have full trust in them, we can grow really fast together.”

High performance isn’t a solo endeavour. Whether you’re navigating rapids or managing a complex engineering project, success depends on the people around you. Trust, respect, and communication form the foundation of any high-performing team.

HPP brings the support around our people into one place: career development pathways, mentoring, and clear expectations.

Building a High-Performance Culture

Elite athletes understand something that many organisations miss: high performance is as much about mindset and systems as it is about individual talent.

We’re committed to creating a high-performing environment where people are supported to be curious, reflect honestly, trust their support systems, and improve 1% each day.

With the launch of HPP, we know the programme will evolve. We’ll listen, learn, and refine as we go, staying focused on what matters: building the conditions that help people thrive. For our clients, that means working with teams who are well-supported, well-led, and consistently developing, so delivery is stronger, communication is clearer, and even better outcomes.

“High-performance athletes succeed because they train with drive, measure what matters, and commit to getting better every single day.” Says Kirk Roberts General Manager of Operations, People and Culture, Lynda McIntosh. “HPP gives us that same pathway, connection, clarity, focus, and genuine growth when we lean into it.”