Psychological Safety and the Distant Leader
Everyone, including leaders, reacts to stress differently, but the way that leaders respond to stress affects their team members. When leaders react to stress with insecurity, mistrust, hostility, or social withdrawal, their attitudes and behaviours can cause significant damage to team psychological safety. Team psychological safety is the shared perception of whether it is safe or […]
When Leaders Hesitate: The Hidden Costs to Team Performance
A team leader who hesitates to make decisions stifles innovation, delays progress, and quietly trains their team to stop trying. Here’s how it works: The team presents an idea, and the leader says, “Hmm, let me think about it.” Then nothing happens. The next idea gets the same response. Suggestions for change and improvements stall […]
The Psychology of Underdog Leadership
World history and literature are full of stories and legends of underdog leadership: people who have defied the odds of expected defeat. How do they find a way to lead others to success? And what makes underdogs so appealing that we feel compelled to cheer for them? On episode 143 of The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne Sherman, […]
Top Trends in Personality Assessment Usage in 2026
The only certainty about 2026 is uncertainty. AI deployment is accelerating, skills demands are evolving, and the workforce is anxious. These forces make effective leadership more essential than ever—and personality assessment especially critical for organisations facing bewildering transition. Understanding these talent challenges is necessary for organisations looking to maximise the strategic value of personality assessment […]
Strategies for Technical Leadership Development
Many technical experts are promoted into management as a reward for excellent performance, then struggle almost immediately. The skills that made them expert individual contributors don’t translate to effective performance in leadership roles. For technical leaders, leadership development can be the difference between success and failure. On episode 142 of The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne Sherman, PhD, […]
PBC Webinar: From Individual Insight to Team Impact: Using the Hogan 360 to Elevate Collective Performance
Join Peter Berry and Kate Modic for a practical and insightful session exploring how the Hogan 360 can be used not only to strengthen individual leaders, but also to enhance team effectiveness, alignment, and psychological safety. Date: 26th March 2026 Time: 10-11 AM(AEDT) | 12-1 PM (NZDT) Drawing on the Hogan 360’s robust leadership framework, global benchmarks, and strengths‑and‑opportunities data, […]
Is Workplace Gossip Good or Bad?
Workplace gossip has a reputation problem. Most view gossip at work as disruptive, unproductive, or even toxic to company culture. But informal communication through social networks may serve an important organisational purpose. Leaders need to understand that workplace gossip can be beneficial or harmful, depending on how it’s used and managed. On episode 141 of The Science of […]
The Cost of Cynicism and Distrust at Work
Some leaders see threats everywhere. A colleague’s suggestion becomes a power play. A team member’s question becomes insubordination. Constructive feedback becomes a personal attack. When scepticism tips into chronic distrust, it doesn’t merely damage relationships. It derails leadership effectiveness. These are clear signs of workplace cynicism. Scepticism serves leaders well when it sharpens judgment and […]
How to Spot Workplace Freeloaders
Hogan estimates that about 10 percent of the working population consists of bad employees. Of those, the office freeloader is one of the most notorious and subtle. While it may be difficult to spot a workplace freeloader, employee engagement metrics and skilled management can identify those who underperform. On episode 139 of The Science of Personality, cohosts Ryne […]
The Mirror and the Map: A Coaching Framework
The purpose of executive coaching at its heart is to help someone gain strategic self-awareness. This complex form of understanding oneself empowers leaders to adapt their behavioural tendencies based on their context. Supriti Bhandary, MA, executive coach at Supriti Bhandary LLC and member of the Hogan Coaching Network (HCN), uses a coaching framework with her clients […]