Why Psynet Group Invested in Developing a Cognitive Fluidity Measure Many human resource and hiring managers do not assess cognitive fluidity when hiring for complex roles, including portfolio managers, design and product engineers, software developers and so on. As a result, they miss a key predictive data point. Last month, I spoke with a portfolio … Read More
Insights
Matching Coaching Style with the Client: A Key to Effective Leadership Development
Coaching has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional development, especially in leadership. As with any development method, the effectiveness of coaching depends heavily on the fit between the coach’s style and the client’s needs. This alignment can be the difference between meaningful progress and stagnation in leadership development. This … Read More
Leadership in Biotech: Navigating the Pitfalls of Dysfunctional Leadership
Introduction In the fast-paced and innovation-driven world of biotech, effective leadership is crucial for maintaining a culture that fosters collaboration, mission-aligned progress, and regulatory adherence. The unique pressures of the industry can give rise to dysfunctional leadership styles that hinder rather than help. Leaders in biotech, who often deal with high financial stakes, regulatory hurdles, … Read More
Minor Derailers: Are They Just Annoying?
I was in my mid-20s, interviewing a candidate to be my assistant. She would be my first, and I had yet to develop my interviewing skills. I welcomed her into my office and asked her the first of a series of prepared questions. She answered the first question and then stared at me sideways. As … Read More
How Important Is Culture Fit, Really?
In the discovery process of Organizational Development projects, we ask clients to describe the organization’s culture. Most responses are about colleagues’ behaviors. “People here are nice” or “Tends to be cliquey” are typical responses. In almost every case, the initial response relates to cultural toxicity (which could be related to why clients hired us). When … Read More
Whole Person Assessment: Balancing Character Flaws with Strengths
“You are the Grinch of assessments,” teased a fellow corporate psychologist after I shared the new scales we were norming. I smiled and asked her if she was investing six figures a year in someone, would she rather know the derailers or the positives? When we make talent decisions, can we ignore the negative? I … Read More
What a terrible idea it was to start calling behavioral skills “soft”
They are among the hardest skills to develop while being the most crucial for sustainable success. We are in Sean’s office while he laments about his team. In addition to expressions of uncertainty, frustration and disappointment he comments, “My team keeps missing deadlines. Despite my telling them what they need to do, the end product … Read More