The survey predicts continued growth in the engagement of occupational psychology services. With their in-depth knowledge and practical understanding of organisational behaviour, allied to sensitivity to organisational aims and objectives, Occupational Psychologists are uniquely placed to guide and advise on a wide range of talent management agendas. The Keil Centre’s Chartered Occupational Psychologists have considerable experience in helping organisations identify which leadership behaviours will be critical in support of overall business strategy. We then help our clients ensure these behaviours are developed, encouraged and sustained.
Leadership development is a key theme for Government departments as they respond to the drive to modernise how public services are delivered. In common with other areas of the Civil Service, the Government Legal Service for Scotland (GLSS) identifi ed a need to improve its leadership capacity to allow it to meet the needs of a continually evolving legal service and the specific challenges associated with the new Scottish Parliament.
The Keil Centre was asked to design a programme that would support senior managers in meeting these objectives. The first stage was a diagnostic process, designed to help participants on the programme to identify their personal development objectives as well as
assessing the main challenges for the group as a whole that could be addressed through the programme. A series of one-to-one coaching sessions was provided for participants, complemented by short workshops designed to focus on issues of common concern.
Soon it became apparent that there were a number of issues of common concern and an energy to do something about them, so a ‘whole group’ process was designed to allow the 35 participants to come together and work out ways of moving forward. Such was the commitment and enthusiasm generated at this event that all participants signed up to become involved in working groups to take the initial ideas forward. Following the success of the programme in terms of both individual and organisational learning, The Keil Centre was asked to continue to work with the group to support them in the next phase of their development. Phase 2 provided support in making the transition to implementing changes initiated in Phase 1.
‘We focused on the areas where we could add most value’, explained Louise:
• working with the senior teams
• providing one-to-one coaching support
• facilitating group processes
Recognition for setting high safety standards
Wood Group Engineering (North Sea), a division of the leading Scottish international oil and gas services Wood Group, was keen to maintain and improve their already impressive safety performance. Alongside their focus on safety engineering and management systems, they wanted a sound, research-based programme to engage the “human factor”. They selected The Keil Centre as their preferred partner, and over a three-year period have jointly implemented several improvements. Central to these efforts is their HSE Behaviour Standard, which defines the expected HSE behaviours from people at all levels of their organisation - from the boardroom to the drill-fl oor. The standard has been implemented by their home-grown Human Factors Specialist, Zoila Medina. Included in each of the 12 sets of behaviours are four positive behaviours, which are proven to enhance HSE performance, and four negatives which undermine a good safety result.
This simple, novel safety behaviour framework has also captured the imagination of several of Wood Group’s key clients, and other organisations outwith the oil and gas sector, who have now developed and implemented their own versions. To cap it all, in January 2007 their Human Factors programme was awarded a prestigious Wood Group Chairman’s HSE award. Said Zoila Medina, “Working with The Keil Centre has been extremely valuable due to their ability to provide a wide expertise in the area of Human Factors which has helped us to understand our needs and through coaching and guidance to help us develop our own solutions. Furthermore, they have increased our awareness and knowledge of Human Factors thanks to their vast range of research and applicable tools which Wood Group has been able to access."
Coping with life's ups and downs
Most of us know what it’s like to juggle expectations associated with our various commitments and with our desire to perform and do well, professionally and personally. At times of ‘flow’ we feel that we are coping and even excelling in meeting such demands. Energy levels are high and we feel in control of our lives. However, at some point in our lives most of us will have to deal with something we could not have predicted or prepared for. We may be surprised at how quickly we run out of energy. Our otherwise effective coping strategies no longer seem to work, leaving us with the feeling of having little or no control over the situation. Our initial reaction may be to give up and dwell on our misfortune and inability to cope. This strategy will only serve to exacerbate the feeling of helplessness and possibly even lead to psychological ill health, such as depression.
A more useful approach involves changing our perception and interpretation of the situation: redefining our goals, focusing on aspects of life that we are still able to influence, and seeking support from people we trust. Ultimately there are no quick fixes or miracle cures. Time, in combination with new skills and appropriate support, can lead to lasting positive change and personal development. Sometimes this process can be managed by ourselves with the support of family or a close friend. At other times we may benefit from seeking advice and guidance from a professional person trained in psychology who can offer impartial support and more in-depth expertise.
The Keil Centre can provide individual support and/or treatment to people who are struggling to cope, at work or in their personal life. In addition we can provide training to help organisations in supporting their team through difficult times. Our expertise helps to increase employers’ understanding of how traumatic events affect people and teach them useful skills to support others when they are not coping.
For more information about our Clinical Services, please contact Jenny Foley.