POW: The Psychology of Work

Authentic dialogue is a rare thing within many businesses and organisations and, in discussion with Rob Feltham, Sarah Rozenthuler outlines some of the practical ways in which leaders can address this gap and reap the benefits in terms of creativity, flow and ‘thinking together’. Topics covered in this podcast include: psychological safety which is a necessary but not sufficient condition for authentic dialogue; the Container, which is the physical and psychological environment that energises and creates a sense of possibility; and the negative impacts of social media and how to address them. There is also discussion of some the pioneers in the field of communication and dialogue, including Bill Isaacs and Marshall Rosenberg.   Sarah Rozenthuler is a chartered psychologist (coaching and occupational) and published author. With over 20 years of experience working globally at senior levels in large, complex organizations as well as start-ups and SMEs, Sarah brings extensive expertise in executive coaching, group facilitation, and consulting. Clients have trusted Sarah for over two decades to coach senior leaders to improve their communication skills, optimise their stakeholder management and deepen their executive presence.   In 2007, Sarah founded Bridgework Consulting Ltd, a renowned consultancy firm dedicated to empowering leaders, teams, and organisations to achieve greatness. She is also a valued member of the faculty at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford where she teaches on their flagship programmes. As an accomplished author, Sarah has penned several impactful books, including:   • Now We’re Talking: How to Discuss What Really Matters (2024) • Powered by Purpose: Energise Your People to do Great Work (2020)  • How to have Meaningful Conversations: Seven Strategies for Talking about What Matters Most (2012)   Rob Feltham is Podcast Editor of The ABP.

In an engaging discussion hosted by Rob Feltham, three eminent business psychologists working at the frontiers of AI share their perspectives on how the profession can remain impactful and relevant in a world of work rapidly being transformed. The conversation starts with a macro view of AI at work, and the role of psychologists in helping organisations design and implement their AI strategies. Then the discussion moves on to look specifically at the reshaped world of psychometric assessment.   Issues discussed include: the far reaching disruptive effects of generative AI and how well organisations are adapting; the future of competency and capability models; reenvisioning entry level roles; augmentation versus replacement of human job roles; AI as a potential game-changer for equality and diversity/neurodiversity; the AI empowered job candidate; validity and integrity of the assessment process; and the ABP’s current initiative to develop AI guidance for the profession.   Alan Bourne is a Partner at Ommati and leads their talent consulting, research and advisory services.   Dexter Winters is a Partner at The Thinkstitute, leading AI Business Transformation by putting people at the heart of adoption through leadership, culture, and capability.     Kate Young is head of people science at Sapia.ai. Sappia is an AI hiring agent.   Rob Feltham is Podcast Editor for the ABP.

In discussion with Rob Feltham, Mike shares thought-provoking perspectives on a range of talent topics including: real-time performance management; neuroscience in psychometric assessment; the ever-increasing importance of the freelance workforce as a central element of the talent pool; generational stereotypes (Gen Y, Gen Z etc); and the urgent need for the UK to become world class in digital skills training.  Other issues discussed include the relevance of Business Psychology in the age of AI and digital transformation, and the impact of the current US presidential regime on DEI initiatives.    Mike is a chartered occupational psychologist and has worked for the past 25 years as a consultant in talent management with a particular focus on assessment for senior level roles, especially for private equity clients. Prior to qualifying in psychology, Mike had a career in Bass plc, and later worked for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (forerunner to QinetiQ) as a government scientist researching topics for the UK armed forces, during which time he started his doctorate researching ways of evaluating computer-based training techniques in the submarine service. Subsequently Mike worked for several consultancies and executive search businesses where he set up three assessment practices, before running his own consultancy www.kildonanconsulting.com [http://www.kildonanconsulting.com] in talent management with a particular focus on senior leader assessment.  He is now semi-retired. Mike is a frequent conference speaker and has authored many papers on Human Resource issues - several which can be found in open access on the internet. A full list is available on request.   About the book: Rugg-Gunn, M. (2024), Managing Talent: A Short Guide for the Digital Age, Routledge.   Rob Feltham is Podcast Editor of The ABP

In discussion with Rob Feltham, Ross McIntosh provides a fascinating overview of the ACT framework and how it can help leaders to build psychological flexibility, in part by managing the interactions between their ‘inner voices’ and the ways that they show up at work. Topics covered include: building self awareness with the help of the Micro Pause and Macro Pause; managing transitions between leadership situations; and values-driven authentic leadership.   Ross is a business psychologist and coach who uses evidence-based psychology in all areas of his freelance career. At City St George’s, University of London, he works alongside Dr Paul Flaxman in an academic/practitioner partnership. They design and deliver ACT Workplace Training for both the public and private sector. Ross also lectures in organisational psychology at City St George’s and Birkbeck, University of London.     Ten years ago, Ross founded his consulting business which aims to cultivate well-being, adaptability, authentic action and awareness in organisations. He has designed and delivered evidence-based training to over 23 NHS Trusts, HM Treasury & Civil Service, Nectar Loyalty, teachers, a global tech company, a big four consultancy, Diageo, hedge fund managers and a variety of ballet companies including Rambert, Scottish Ballet, Northern Ballet and The Royal Ballet.    In a bid to reach more adults with the behavioural science from ACT and beyond, the People Soup Podcast was born in 2018. It’s won awards, has a global reach and in the global ranking is one of the top 2.5% most popular podcasts (in a field of around 3.5 million!)   Prior to his portfolio career, Ross spent over 20 years in Senior HR roles in Government. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a Fellow of the Association for Coaching.   Ross's website can be found at: https://rossmcintosh.co.uk/ [https://rossmcintosh.co.uk/] Rob Feltham is podcast editor of the ABP.

Nik Kinley is a business psychologist and successful author with over 30 years’ experience specialising in assessing leaders, changing people’s behaviour and evolving organisational cultures. In an engaging discussion with Rob Feltham, Nik talks about his latest book, co-authored with Shlomo Ben-Hur, entitled Re-writing your Leadership Code: How your childhood made you the leader you are, and what you can do about it.  Nik shows how our past experiences create instincts and tendencies that we are often unaware of, but that tend to come out when we’re under pressure and can fundamentally affect how we operate as leaders, both in a good way and in a bad way. Leaders who understand their instinctive responses to pressurised situations have the opportunity to manage those situations better. In the discussion Nik also touches on the relevance of this type of analysis in the leadership assessment context. He also talks about the interaction of personality and power, and describes how positions of power amplify what people ‘bring with them’.   Nik’s varied career background includes commercial roles, senior corporate HR positions (with BP and with Barclays) and consulting roles - with YSC and with Accenture - as well as over a decade working in prisons as a forensic psychotherapist. He has thus worked with royalty, CEOs, murderers, politicians and children. During his time as a consultant, he has assessed over 1,000 senior executives from across the world. And as a coach, he has worked with Boards, CEOs and executive teams across industries and regions. He has written a series of books on leadership, change and talent management, published award-winning papers in academic journals, and is a regular lecturer at some of the world’s most prestigious business schools.   Rob Feltham is Podcast Editor of The ABP.