I was in my 20s when I had my first experience with talent assessment for selection. I was introduced to it by my friend and supervisor, Monte Amundson. He was my boss in a firm dedicated to training and placing leaders in non-profit and religious institutions. During my brief tenure in recruiting leaders for the … Read the article →
The Chameleon COO – Incongruent or Adaptable
In my adopted hometown of New York City, startups bloom and wither like flowers that try to grow in the sidewalk cracks. I met an exception in 2015 while attending pitch events. He was a tech founder with a brilliant idea and chaotic execution. As soon as their funding round hit the bank, he hired … Read the article →
Bullying at Work
Growing up in the Midwest in the 1970s, bullying was one of the worst things a kid could do. My father made it clear that bullying was cowardly, and if someone bullied me, I should fight back. He used to say bullies were like kangaroos—if you hit back, they would stop. While I’ve never found … Read the article →
When Fear Leads: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of a Paranoid Leader
“Paranoia, the destroyer.” — Ray Davies, The Kinks A few months ago, I received a long, detailed email from a CEO candidate applying to one of our client’s portfolio companies. He had just completed our online assessment, but couldn’t find our privacy policy — and that triggered a deep concern. He feared his information might … Read the article →
Ego Death and Birth- Coaching at its Deepest
Reading Time: 12-15 Minutes The past and present wilt—I have fill’d them, emptied them. And proceed to fill my next fold of the future. Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.) Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself The self is not a singular, unified entity but a … Read the article →
Cognitive Fluidity: a Key Success Factor in Complex Roles
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 the article →
Applying Lessons from the 2024 Election to Crucial Human Capital Management Decisions
By: Dave Popple, PhD Summary “I know it is a cult, but I miss feeling like I was part of something significant.” Former Scientologist and Rock Star I heard this from a friend who was somewhat famous in the 80s. Once his fame subsided, so did his feelings of significance. His loss of fame made … Read the article →
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 the article →
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Minor Derailers: Are They Just Annoying? In brief encounters with people, minor derailers are either not noticed or mildly irritating. This is why interviewers rarely pick them up. But what happens when they are part of our daily work life? What about their impact on the team? I learned early in my career how toxic … Read the article →