SkillStack: Revolutionizing Leadership Training

In an era where leadership and skill development are increasingly essential for business success, the rise of innovative platforms like SkillStack offers a fresh and intriguing approach. The World Trade Center Dublin had the opportunity to sit down with Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, Founder and CEO of SkillStack, to discuss how this streaming platform redefines leadership training. With a unique focus on microlearning and storytelling, SkillStack delivers impactful, short-form video lessons designed to enhance performance, cultivate leadership, and foster growth across industries. In this insightful conversation, Robert shares the inspiration behind SkillStack, its unique offerings, and the potential to significantly impact international trade and business expansion for the WTC Dublin global community, instilling a sense of hope and optimism for the future.

What inspired you to create SkillStack, and how did you identify the need for a streaming platform for performance skills and leadership development?

It's a story that's deeply personal to me, one that feels like the narrative of my life.  I was raised in Dublin, Ireland, and I am a twin. This story delves into the age-old debate of nature versus nurture regarding learning.  My mother was a significant influence, and as a family, we had two serendipitous encounters with powerful role models: Morris Manning, a politician who knocked on our door while canvassing our neighborhood, and Martin Naughton, one of Ireland’s most respected business leaders.  My mother instilled in us the belief that with enough hard work, we could make a difference in the world, just like these two gentlemen.  Manning became a Senate Representative, The Chancellor of the University of Ireland, and the Chair of the Human Rights Commission.  Naughton became one of the most respected Irish Business leaders in Ireland.  Both became legends in our household and a driving force for my brother and me in pursuing our future endeavors.

Their stories inspired us to pursue our dreams but in different directions.  While my twin brother pursued a career in dentistry and now teaches at Trinity College, I found my path in the business world. I built and eventually sold a recruitment company, and through that experience, I recognized a gap in the market for leadership and performance skills development. I took the lessons I had learned in building a business and channeled them into creating SkillStack.

SkillStack reflects my personal journey. It offers a platform that focuses on leadership and skill development in a way that supports international trade and business growth. It’s designed to help people improve their performance and make a meaningful difference in their professional lives.

How does SkillStack differentiate itself from other online learning and leadership development platforms?

SkillStack is where entertainment meets learning through storytelling. It sets itself apart from other online learning and leadership development platforms through its unique approach to microlearning and storytelling. Our concept of 'stacking' skills, combining essential performance skills to drive success in leadership and everyday business operations, is a key differentiator. Instead of offering generic, one-size-fits-all courses, we create highly targeted, short-form lessons that address specific performance improvement areas. This allows learners to quickly absorb, apply, and integrate new skills into their work, fostering better-working lives and, ultimately, greater economic independence. Our mission is deeply personal to me, as I believe that through the power of story, we can engage and inspire people meaningfully.

To bring this vision to life, we worked with an award-winning documentary production team to create content beyond traditional learning models. We’ve built a faculty of expert leaders in their fields and incredible storytellers. This combination of expertise and engaging delivery sets us apart. Learning on SkillStack isn’t just about absorbing information—it’s about connecting with the material personally and emotionally. Our content is designed to be both compelling and entertaining, with enough content in each short-form video to keep learners engaged without overwhelming them. In a world where people are used to high-quality, on-demand content, SkillStack delivers just that: leadership development that feels fresh, relevant, and entertaining.

Our storytelling approach is not just about delivering facts—it’s about creating a journey. We carefully select experts who share their real-world experiences, triumphs, and challenges, making the lessons practical and relatable. As a tool, storytelling taps into the emotional and cognitive aspects of learning, making it easier to retain and apply the concepts. This personal, emotional connection is what sets SkillStack apart and makes our content more engaging and impactful.

Moreover, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable. Whether you're a first-time manager learning the ropes or an experienced leader sharpening your interpersonal and emotional intelligence, SkillStack offers a curriculum that grows with you. We don’t just focus on technical skills; we prioritize power skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration, which are crucial for today’s global business environment. This adaptability ensures that SkillStack can meet your specific learning needs, regardless of your leadership journey.

Ultimately, SkillStack merges learning and entertainment through impactful storytelling, creating a highly engaging platform that empowers leaders and teams to perform at their best. This personal, story-driven approach makes SkillStack stand out in a crowded field of online learning, offering not just knowledge but transformation.

Can you walk us through the types of performance skills and leadership courses offered on SkillStack?

The story is a very powerful way to teach, regardless of who you are, what your background is, or irrespective of language or location. In business, 94 % of people don't get any support or formal training in the first 100 days. SkillStack can start there and look at those moments that drive performance. We look at the fundamentals of leadership, so we look at understanding the individual follower's needs.  Then, we focus on how to aggregate that in a team context and reverse engineering that into your leadership style, offering a fresh view of leadership.

SkillStack offers a range of courses that include:

Leadership Skills

First Time management Moments

Management Development

Leading Performance

Collaborative Leadership

Leading AI

Leading ESG

Performance Skills

Power Skills

Communications & Interpersonal Skills

Building Emotional Intelligence

Storytelling for Business

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Value Stack:  Micro-Skills to Amplify Company Values

SkillStack provides practical tools to enhance leadership and performance through these courses and fosters a deeper understanding of the interpersonal and emotional intelligence required to succeed in today’s business world. By addressing the immediate needs of leaders and their teams and offering a holistic approach to leadership development, SkillStack empowers individuals to thrive at all levels. The diverse range of topics ensures that businesses can cultivate leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of modern work environments, from leveraging AI to championing diversity and inclusion.

Can you share some examples of how Skillstack’s content has been applied in real-world settings, particularly in your work with NASA, and how it might benefit the WTC Dublin community?

Our first pilot with NASA was a real breakthrough for SkillStack. Their team reviewed our content, and the feedback was clear: our approach to goal setting, performance improvement, and leadership development is universally applicable. What stood out to them was how our short-form videos told engaging stories while delivering practical tools that anyone, from entry-level employees to senior leaders, could apply in their roles. Much like a TED Talk, our content challenges conventional thinking and invites people to see leadership and performance from new perspectives. The result? Tangible takeaways that can be implemented immediately to drive better results.

For the WTC Dublin community, this same approach can be transformational. SkillStack's flexible, customizable programs can be tailored to the specific needs of Irish businesses, whether they are looking to expand globally or enhance internal leadership. By "stacking" skills—combining technical abilities with critical soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence—WTC Dublin businesses can prepare their teams to navigate the challenges of international markets. Our content provides both inspiration and actionable insights, giving businesses the tools to improve performance while fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

What plans do you have for expanding or updating SkillStack’s content and services in the coming year?

Our faculty continues to grow, and we’re excited to welcome a diverse range of new voices, including a former Head of State, CEOs of global companies, TED Talk speakers, and award-winning authors. This diverse group of experts brings a wealth of experience and perspectives, ensuring that we deliver top-tier, relevant content consistently.

In the coming year, we’ll expand our course offerings to include more specialized topics reflecting the rapidly changing business landscape. For example, we are focusing on leadership in the age of AI, sustainability (ESG), and navigating complex global markets. We also plan to dive deeper into soft skills development, such as emotional intelligence, communication across cultures, and resilience, which are increasingly recognized as critical for worldwide business success. We will continue to create content that is as dynamic and relevant as possible, ensuring that SkillStack remains at the forefront of leadership and performance training.

Ultimately, our goal is to continue providing cutting-edge, impactful content that helps businesses and leaders navigate the complexities of today’s globalized and technology-driven world.

How can SkillStack contribute to the internationalization goals of Irish businesses, especially those seeking to expand into global markets?

The challenge of organic growth in a new marketplace is demanding. While technical or complex skills are essential, the real difficulties often lie in mastering the soft skills that facilitate success across borders. When I set up six offices in six different countries, I quickly realized that navigating cultural differences, building trust, and fostering effective communication was far more challenging than the technical aspects of running a business. These soft skills—what we at SkillStack call "power skills"—are critical for building relationships, influencing stakeholders, and negotiating successfully in any market.

SkillStack focuses on developing these soft skills, including emotional intelligence, cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal skills, which are crucial when expanding into global markets. This type of training can be a game-changer for Irish businesses looking to internationalize. By helping leaders and teams improve their self-awareness and communication abilities, SkillStack equips them to build relationships that drive success in new and unfamiliar markets.

SkillStack isn’t limited to one region or type of business—it’s built for an international audience, addressing the complexities of cross-cultural leadership and communication. By emphasizing soft skills that transcend industries and borders, we help individuals and businesses navigate the challenges of operating in a global marketplace. Our content is designed to be universally applicable, making it a valuable resource for leaders and organizations worldwide.

What steps can the WTC Dublin community take to get started with SkillStack, and are there any partnership opportunities or customized solutions available?

The first step for the WTC Dublin community to get started with SkillStack is to identify specific leadership or performance challenges within your business or organization. Whether you’re looking to enhance first-time management skills, improve team collaboration, or develop emotional intelligence in leadership, SkillStack can offer tailored solutions. We recommend beginning with a consultation, where we can assess your unique needs and customize a learning path that aligns with your goals.

We are very flexible regarding partnership opportunities. SkillStack offers customized programs to address the specific challenges individuals and teams face within your organization. For example, we can develop a program that fits your leadership development framework or offer standalone, modular courses that allow participants to "stack" their skills over time.

Additionally, we provide solutions that scale, so whether you’re a small business or a larger organization, we can create a program that fits your scope. By customizing the curriculum to your needs, you can ensure that both emerging and experienced leaders are aligned, working with a shared language and common goals. The WTC Dublin network also has the potential to leverage our global faculty of experts, offering access to world-class content and insights that can help elevate performance across industries.

SkillStack is all about impact—ensuring that the training resonates, drives real-world performance, and leaves a lasting impression on your team. We’re eager to work with the WTC Dublin community to craft meaningful, results-driven solutions that help its members thrive locally and internationally.

SkillStack’s ability to blend storytelling with cutting-edge leadership and performance skills makes it a valuable resource for professionals across all industries. As businesses look to expand globally and navigate complex leadership challenges, the platform offers tailored solutions that cater to diverse needs. With plans for continued growth, SkillStack is poised to significantly impact the internationalization of Irish businesses and the broader WTC Dublin network. By focusing on hard and soft skills, SkillStack helps build authentic, emotionally intelligent leaders essential in today's global marketplace. 

Are you interested in experiencing the power of storytelling in leadership and skill development? Contact SkillStack today and start your journey towards becoming a better leader.