Management Tips From People Practioners

In this fascinating conversation, Leoni van der Vaart shares valued insights on the art and science surrounding the measurement and management of work motivation and performance. The two concepts are mutually reinforcing in the workplace and play a crucial role in ensuring that people are inspired by what they do and, based on this drive, demonstrate the necessary actions to remain contributing members of an organisation. Corrigendum. Xander indicated that he mistakenly referred to introjected regulation (doing things out of fear of shame) throughout the podcast, while he intended to refer to more autonomous forms of external motivation (doing something because of a personal conviction in the importance of a stated goal). Leoni generously work around Xander’s misconception in the podcast and her references to self-determination theory throughout, by contrast, is correct.

Personality characteristics, often seen as universal adaptations that evolved in humans to meet the challenges posed by nature, might be misconstrued as something that people should always be higher on. While this statement might hold in many situations, the too-much-of-a-good-thing effect might be at play when people overuse their strengths. For example, an overly conscientious person might have a rigid perfectionism that their ability to finish and submit tasks in time. To use a Star Wars analogy, we often think of the positive outcomes associated with bright personality but might miss the negative outcomes associated with excessively low or high personality characteristics, which is associated with the dark side of personality. In this podcast, we will speak with two experts from Hogan Assessment Systems (Dr Fuhrmeister and Dr Ferrell) on how we should think about dark personality and apply metrics surrounding the measurement of dark personality in practice. Dr Fuhrmeister and Dr Ferrell have written an

Game-based technologies are a transformational development in psychometric assessment. However, if psychologists do not do the required work in order to provide the scientific rigour of these methodologies, such as accumulated evidence on its reliability, validity, and measurement equivalence, its potential might be left as a fad. We are excited to speak with Dr Matthew Neale, Vice President of Assessment Products at Criteria Corp and expert on the scientific rigour required to develop game-based psychometric assessments.Dr Neale holds a PhD from Queensland University of Technology and is a practising industrial-organisational psychologist. He is the immediate past state chair of the APS College of Organisational Psychologists in Queensland, where he led the profession of Organisational Psychology in the state. He has a passion for people and organisational development projects informed by scientific research in industrial and organisational psychology.

In this episode we interview Professor Paul Spector about survey design within organisations and more broadly conducting research within organisations. Professor Spector has designed many well-known and globally utilised surveys dealing with anything from job satisfaction to workplace conflict. We were fortunate to pick his brain in this regard and some of the topics covered in this episode are concerned with good item construction, new methodologies/platforms when conducting surveys, ethical issues around dealing with data as well as how to go about communicating results in an effective way to key stakeholders. Paul Spector is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida. He has an interest in both research methodology and in how organisational factors, work-nonwork interface, and personal characteristics interact to affect employee health, safety, and well-being.His methodological interests focus on the connection between design, measurement and statistics and in the nature of sci

There has been a recent resurgence in questioning the predictive validity of personality assessments. These concerns have been consistently addressed in academic circles and have laid to rest any questions about whether we can use personality assessments in selection procedures. With this in mind, we talk to Dr Xander van Lil to better understand the historical debate as well as consider what it is that personality predicts when it comes to important outcomes in the workplace.

In this episode, we speak to Cherylene de Jager, Chief Imagination Officer from CheHan Ideaneers and author of CQ@Play: Shaping your Future in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Cherylene discusses the power of creative intelligence in the workplace.Creativity has long been viewed as the exclusive domain of writers, artists, musicians,and actors. The shift in thinking is that everyone is creative. Creativity can be developedby acquiring and utilising creative thinking and problem-solving methodologies,frameworks, and techniques. Creativity and original thought ensure competitiveadvantage. Design thinking ignites creativity and innovation.Contact Cherylene:chehan@netactive.co.zaFacebook: CheHan IdeaneersLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylene-de-jager-ph-d-89159047/

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Gordan Curphy. Dr Curphy helps C-suite, business unit, and functional leaders develop business strategies; implement major change initiatives; hire, develop, and promote leadership talent; and build high performing teams. Author of the 2012 book The Rocket Model: Practical Advice for Building High Performing Teams Taking a scientist-practitioner approach to leadership, Gordan has spent the past 30+ years researching, teaching, practising, and providing consulting advice on leadership. In this interview we discuss:- The Rocket Model: Practical Advice for Building High Performing Teams- Teams and leadership - The role of inclusion and diversity in high performing teamsContact Dr Gordon Curphy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordoncurphy/

In this episode, we speak to Rob Jardine. Rob Jardine is an Industrial Psychologist who holds Masters Degrees from the University of Johannesburg and University of Valencia. He has consulting and work experience in Europe, North America and Africa. He is a thought leader in the South African NeuroLeadership context and has been featured on SABC, ENews, 702, Entrepreneur Magazine and the Sunday Times. He is a regular conference speaker and contributor to SIOPSA.He is currently the Head of Research & Solutions at the NeuroLeadershp Institute South Africa. They are a global research-driven leadership institute based out of New York City. They work with 40% of the Fortune 100 and are purpose-driven by making organisations more human using science.We cover the following topics and many more:• Organisational effectiveness and neuroscience• Are South Africans ready to accept neuroscience solutions within the organisational setting?• The payoff of having diverse teams• Is there a dark side of diversity and inclus

In this episode, we speak to Dr Natasha Winkler-Titus who is the new incoming SIOPSA president. Dr. Natasha Winkler-Titus was awarded the 2019 Organizational Psychology Practitioner of the year- South Africa and was awarded Best paper at the 2018 British Academy of Management (BAM) Annual conference in Bristol, UK. Natasha believes in using her influence and platforms to empower others toward significance and drive societal change and transformation.Natasha holds a PhD in Organisational Psychology and is registered with the HPCSA and successfully worked at a strategic level with the executive teams of multinational organisations in South Africa and abroad.

In this episode, we talk to Ingra du Buisson-Narsai, the co-founder and Director of NeuroCapital Coaching and Consulting, which consults to some of South Africa’s leading and most admired companies. She has 20 years of executive-level experience in corporate South Africa and is a Registered Organisational Psychologist in private practice.She is also the author of the best-selling book “Fight, Flight or Flourish: How neuroscience can unlock human potential”. Ingra actively pursues the increasing visibility of neuroscientific methods and diagnostics in the study of organisational behaviour.To get your copy of Fight, Flight or Flourish or #chooseFlourish resources visit the website www.neurocapital.co To buy the book locally:http://bit.ly/2QkrhOEOr on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/FIGHT-FLIGHT-FLOURISH-NEUROSCIENCE-POTENTIAL-ebook/dp/B085QM4LN2/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=fight+flight+flourish&qid=1594555259&sr

In this episode, we speak to Chris Steel a senior adviser with Fletcher Advisory, a small, globally experienced strategic communications firm specialising in working with boards and EXCOs both locally and internationally. Chris advises on business-critical situations such as a licence to operate issues, shareholder value and employee engagement.This episode covers the following topics:- What is a communication strategy- The need for company’s to develop a communication strategy- Elements to remember when developing a communication strategy- Do’s and don’ts of communication- Communicating in a time of crisis

In this episode of the Ukwanda Podcast, we speak to Dr Chris Jacobs, an industrial-organisational psychologist, Human Capital practitioner and PhD academic. His research interests feature employee performance, digital technology, business process services and its impact on organisational human capital.Chris discusses the effect of understanding personality on managing teams during the COVID-19 lockdown as virtual work becomes a reality for many companies. This interview is centred around the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) theory of personality. What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator? https://youtu.be/RoQi9Mvqip0Topics in this episode:* Personality and Virtual Work* Communicating preferences* Stress and virtual work

In this episode, we speak to Kevin Distiller, the new managing director of OMT subsidiary company Odyssey Talent Assessments. Kevin focuses on assessing the skills required to successfully enter the working world. He spends most of his time assessing individuals in the lower levels of organisations, identifying hidden talent, assessing work readiness, rolling out online assessment solutions and identifying the key levers to unlock performance at entry levels. Some questions asked in this interview:- What is the value proposition of assessments for business?- Why do you focus on identifying talent in entry levels?- When it comes to identifying and leveraging talent at this level, what are companies doing right and what are they failing to do? - What is the current state of Psychological Assessment in SA?- When it comes to Gamification are we doing enough in the gamified assessment space here in SA or should be dazzled less with its promises?

In this episode, we speak to Brad Ross who is the Marketing and Commercial Leadership Director, Coca-Cola West Africa Business Unit. We speak to Brad about his unique leadership style, some modern rules of leadership in the African context, his role in the FIFA Soccer World Cup, the effect of consumer behaviour and the role of data as a business imperative.Brad also shares with us what it took to lead a team taking the Fifa Soccer World Cup trophy around the world, over 300 000 km, 42 time zones and 90 countries within 9 months.To find out more about Brad, follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-ross-a527b225/

In this episode, we talk to the ‘travelling ergonomist’ Kirsty Angerer about the understated value of ergonomics in the workplace. Included are some practical tips you can use to improve your well-being at work today. Kirsty is a Certified Professional Ergonomist, Frequent Flyer, Workplace Wellness Advocate, Fitwel Ambassador and Self Confessed Ergonomics Nerd.She has worked in the areas of ergonomic program development and training for managers and employees for quite some time now, with a global client base. Travelling the world regularly, she strives to make it a more healthy and comfortable place

Egbe is an Organizational Effectiveness practitioner with over 20 years of corporate experience as a business analyst, talent strategist, and learning and leadership development expert. She is also an executive coach. Her focus has always been on leaving the system better than she found it and encouraging others to do the same. Her full career profile can be accessed via this link:http://linkedin.com/in/egbe-adeoye-543b4912

In this episode of the Ukwanda podcast, we talk to Ismail Lambat, the executive finance business partner and CFO at Eskom as he shares insights on how to deal with uncertainty as a manager and navigate others through difficult times.Topics discussed: - Eskom - Leadership paradigms - Team dynamics - People focus vs task focus - Performance - Communication - Managing self

In this episode of the Ukwanda podcast, we speak to Spencer-Rae Kerr, an organisational psychologist and change management practitioner. His passion lies in applying behavioural science knowledge to the workplace in a way that maximizes human potential and flourishing. Spencer gives us his insights into the role of psychologists in the South African workplace or whether we should leave it to HR and MBAs Topics covered in this episode:- Contribution as a psychologist in his current organisation- Employee centricity/Org culture- Employee wellness and strategic/competitive advantage- 4th Industrial RevolutionIf you are a people practitioner and would like to share your own insights, please contactAndrew Morris - andrew@jvrafrica.co.zaHofmeyr de Beer - hofmeyr@jvrafrica.co.za

Welcome to the JvR Africa Group, Ukwanda podcast.In this episode, we speak to the Director of research at the JvR Africa Group, Dr Nicola Taylor. She uncovers the unique qualities needed by a leader or manager operating in the future world of work. This episode will cover the following topics:- What is changing in the world of work- What does the future world of work entail- What does the future employee look like- What is expected of a leader in the future- The makeup of a future-fit leader

Welcome to the JvR Ukwanda podcast, in this episode we speak to Erik Kruger a Mental Performance Coach with a Masters degree in Business and Executive coaching through Wits Business School. He is the founder of the Mental Performance Lab, is the author of Acta non Verba and is a highly regarded professional speaker on the topic of high performance amongst others. His mission is to help executives and companies better understand their performance and thinking in relation to their performance. Four years ago he founded BetterMan, South Africa’s largest online community for men dedicated to personal and professional development. He now releases a podcast dedicated to Mental Performance and has a subscriber base of +/-18,000 emails which he was sending out every day until recently. The daily email touches on the topics of leadership, decision-making, strategic thinking and execution. My clients include executives, high-level entrepreneurs, celebrities, and sportsmen. Over the years he has been featured in GQ,