Performance Coach and Consultant
My work combines evidence-based coaching, performance psychology, and organizational design to co-create strong and sustainable performance, so when under pressure they thrive, not just survive.
Cyrell Williams, PhD
I am a performance coach with a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and more than 20 years of experience in people analytics, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. My career has focused on understanding how people think, behave, and perform at work, especially in high-pressure and high-stakes environments.
I have led initiatives in employee experience, inclusion, leadership capability, and system-level change. My background allows me to work at the intersection of data, psychology, and human behavior—translating complex insights into practical actions that improve performance and culture.
I am currently expanding my expertise through the Sport and Performance Psychology Graduate Certificate, which deepens my understanding of mental skills, pressure management, and performance science. I am also pursuing ICF-aligned executive coaching training through the Hudson Institute. Together, these programs allow me to integrate coaching with evidence-based performance psychology, bringing tools traditionally used in elite performance settings into the workplace.
How I Think about Performance
My perspective on performance starts with a simple reality: pressure changes how people think, decide, and behave. Under uncertainty, intensity, or high stakes, people often lose clarity, become reactive, and disconnect from what matters most. Because of that, sustained performance requires more than skill or motivation, it requires a stable internal foundation.
My framework describes the three conditions that protect and strengthen performance under pressure:
- Agency: the sense of clarity and control needed to act intentionally rather than reactively. Pressure narrows attention; agency reopens it.
- Impact: the ability to see how one’s work creates value. Pressure can make outcomes feel out of reach or ambiguous; impact restores focus on what is achievable and meaningful.
- Meaning: a connection to personal values and purpose. Under sustained pressure, people disconnect from why their work matters; meaning anchors resilience and commitment.
When these three conditions are aligned, leaders navigate pressure with more composure, better judgment, and greater consistency.
My Approach
My approach is structured around a simple, clear process designed to create measurable change:
- Assess: Understand pressure patterns and performance conditions
- Align: Clarify goals, drivers, and success markers
- Act: Build skills, habits, and structures that support performance
- Adapt: Evaluate progress and refine practices for long-term growth
This process blends coaching, performance psychology, and organizational science. It provides a concrete roadmap while remaining flexible enough to address individual and team needs.
