What is in a title? Sometimes it is more than meets the eye.
If you're in the world of human performance improvement, you might be called by a lot of different titles. Consultant. Trainer. Manager. President. I've been called by all those titles, and sometimes it feels like they are masks for my real passion - organizational psychology.
Why do we avoid the "P-word"? Probably because it freaks people out, and makes them feel you are there to invade their private space. Should it worry us to work with an organizational psychologist though? Psychology is simply the science of being human, and it already permeates our lives.
Organizational Psychologists are everywhere though, behind the scenes. We are consultants, managers, trainers, executive directors, and HR people. We share a common curiosity. We study things like group dynamics, action learning, behavior shaping, large group interventions, communication styles, and strategies for developing trust, acceptance, and intrinsic motivation. We are curious about what it means to be human, and how to become our best selves. We want people to have a career that makes them feel purposeful and fulfilled, while also serving the mission of the business.
This is powerful and important work! If people are the engine of business, psychology gives us an understanding of that engine. We can fix what is broken, change a clanging noise into a lovely purr, and reach our goals with joy instead of angst.
Are you an Organizational Psychologist? If you read this blog I suspect you might be. I don't think you need a fancy degree to join the club. Come on in and be welcome. The world needs you.
Cheri Baker is a trainer... I mean organizational psychologist from Seattle, WA. She works only with Autobots. Decepticons need not apply.
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