Department 12: An I-O Psychology Podcast

In this episode, host Ben Butina speaks with Stephanie Murphy, Ph.D., about her journey into people analytics and the rapid growth of her new organization, the Society for People Analytics. Stephanie shares how a simple meet-up with colleagues evolved into an international movement uniting people analytics professionals across diverse backgrounds, from HR and I-O psychology to finance and data science. With over 5,000 members and a strong focus on community, education, and professional development, the Society aims to support and shape the future of people analytics. Tune in to hear about the organization's mission, its vendor-neutral approach, and the resources available to anyone interested in joining or learning more about this dynamic field.

In this episode of the Department 12 Podcast, host Dr. Ben Butina speaks with Wes Johnson, a graduate student at Montclair State University, about his diverse work experiences at water parks during high school and college. Wes shares the contrasts between his engaging high school job and the less motivating college job, highlighting the significant impact of workplace culture on employee satisfaction and performance. They also discuss how these early job experiences influenced Wes's interest in IO psychology and the valuable lessons that can be applied to improve early career job environments and employee motivation. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:37 Wes Johnson's High School Experience 01:58 Undergraduate Water Park Job 03:45 Journey to IO Psychology 05:29 Applying IO Psychology in Real Life 09:22 Future of IO Psychology in Service Jobs 12:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Department 12 Podcast, I'm joined by Krystina Moustakis, a learning experience designer and organizational psychologist with a knack for creating impactful training programs that align with business metrics. We dive into the art of consulting, particularly how to effectively communicate with executives and business leaders—a skill that's often emphasized but rarely taught in depth. Krystina brings her expertise to the table in a unique role-play exercise, where she demonstrates how to handle a real-world scenario involving safety shutdowns and the challenges of leadership transition within a company. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to enhance their consulting skills and bridge the communication gap between consultants and executives. Be sure to check out the episode page for a full transcript.

In this episode of the Department 12 Podcast, Dr. Ben Butina talks with Ian Siderits, a Ph.D. candidate at North Carolina State University, about mentorship from the perspective of a mentee. Ian discusses his entry into the field of I-O psychology, influenced significantly by his mentors, starting with Dr. Tara Behrend during his undergraduate studies. He reflects on key mentoring principles, such as providing autonomy and the crucial role mentors play in both personal and career development. This episode offers insights into the dynamics of effective mentorship through Ian's academic and professional experiences. Be sure to check out the episode page for a full transcript.

In this episode of Department 12, I sit down with the Ellie Hoekman, an I-O Psychology enthusiast turned career coach, to explore the paths that lead Ellie from a rejected quantitative psychology applicant to a fervent advocate and professional in the I-O psychology space. Ellie also shares her advice for I-O students, recent graduates, and faculty members. Be sure to visit the episode page for a full transcript.

In this episode, Ben speaks to Richard Mendelson, Ph.D. about a range of topics, including Rich's work as an expert legal witness and consultant in school violence cases. The heart of the episode is a discussion about the relationship between time-tracking and productivity. The conversation also touches on the impacts of remote work and the gig economy. Check out the episode page for a full transcript and more links.

A few years ago, I talked to Shavonne Holman and Macy Cheeks about an organization they had founded: Blacks in I/O Psychology. Since then, the organization has gone from strength to strength, and, on February 22-23, 2024, BIOP will hold its Inaugural Conference & Gala in Atlanta. Register before the end of the year for an early-bird discount.

Dr. Victoria Mattingly joins Dr. Ben Butina to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. She shares her expertise from publishing the book Inclusivelytics and running her consulting firm. Dr. Victoria opens up about battling cancer this year and how it differed from facing depression. The conversation covers how to build genuine inclusion for all identities, embracing neurodiversity, using data to drive DEI efforts, and strategies to cultivate more allies. Tune in for an insightful discussion on leading with empathy, intersectionality, and ability-based inclusion. Be sure to visit the episode page on the Department 12 website for a full transcript. While you're at it, why not sign up for my free weekly newsletter?

In this episode of Department 12, Dr. Ben Butina interviews Professor Carol Kulik, co-author of the book Human Resources for the Non-HR Manager. Dr. Kulik discusses the importance of HR for all managers, even those who don't have a formal HR role. She also talks about the importance of making HR research accessible and applicable to everyday practice. Dr. Butina and Dr. Kulik also discuss the challenges of writing a book that is both academically rigorous and engaging to read. Dr. Kulik shares her insights on the importance of finding your voice as a writer and how to write for a specific audience. Finally, Dr. Butina asks Dr. Kulik about her thoughts on the convergence of HR practices across different countries. Dr. Kulik discusses the similarities and differences in HR practices around the world, and she offers her perspective on the future of HR management. Be sure to visit the episode page for key takeaways, questions for discussion, and a full transcript. While you're at it, why not sign up for the free Department 12 Newsletter and get your I-O news delivered fresh every week?

Dr. Ben Butina interviews Henri Maindidze, a third-year graduate student in I/O psychology at Portland State University. Henry discusses his experiences with mentoring undergraduate students and how he helps them navigate the challenges of graduate school. He shares some of the most common questions he receives from mentees, such as how to manage their time, how to approach class assignments, and how to deal with supervisor dynamics. Henry also talks about the importance of being a critical thinker and how he helps his mentees develop this skill. He concludes by saying that the most rewarding part of being a mentor is seeing someone come back and say that a conversation they had helped them figure out where they wanted to go in their career. Visit the episode page for a full transcript. And don't forget to subscribe the free Department 12 Newsletter for the latest IO academic research, popular press books and articles, and more.

Join Dr. Ben Butina in this enlightening episode of Department 12 as he engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Rachel Baghelai. Dr. Baghelai recounts her unconventional journey into the world of Industrial-Organizational (IO) psychology, transitioning from banking to pursuing a graduate program at Elmhurst University. Delving into her evolution within the field, Dr. Bagley shares her shift from employee engagement surveys to becoming a passionate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant. The episode's centerpiece is Dr. Bagley's groundbreaking project at The Kaleidoscope Group, where she discusses the innovative methodology behind validating a DEI survey for the modern workplace. Through key driver analysis, correlations, regression, and factor analysis, she demonstrates how this approach prioritizes inclusivity, diverse demographics, and insightful data analysis. Tune in for a captivating exploration of bridging research and practice in IO psychology and DEI initiatives. Be sure to visit the episode page for a complete transcript and don't forget to subscribe to my free weekly newsletter on Substack.

Trevor Nagle is a working actor with more than 40 speaking roles in movies, TV shows, and live theater to his credit. He also does voiceover work and industrial films. In this episode, I talk to Trevor about what a day on set is really like, the unique challenges of auditions, and what separates successful working actors from those who drop out. There's also a great big swerve about halfway through this episode that I think you'll enjoy. You can connect with Trevor on LinkedIn, and be sure to check out the episode page for a full show transcript. By the way, did you know there's a Department 12 Newsletter? It's absolutely free, so please sign up and give it a shot.

In this episode, Dr. Ben Butina interviews Dr. Andrew Holter about the surprising findings in his recently defended dissertation on whether self-efficacy, grit, and job satisfaction predict turnover intention among new registered nurses. Dr. Holter also discusses his background in public safety and how IO psychology is applicable in his role as a fire department administrator. Check out the full transcript on the episode page.

Dr. Ben Butina interviews Dr. Logan Watts, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington, about his background and research. They discuss the concept of “side effects” in organizational interventions, which are unintended negative consequences that may occur as a result of a treatment or intervention. They also explore the distinction between side effects and primary effects, which are intended consequences of an intervention. Dr. Watts also shares an example of how he and his colleagues discovered negative side effects of an assessment tool they created, which resulted in a negative correlation between the nature of feedback and how much the participants liked the tool. He also addresses the challenges in detecting side effects in the workplace, such as collecting data and disentangling the effects of an intervention, and suggests that organizations may already be collecting a lot of relevant data that could be used to detect side effects. Visit the episode page for links and a full transcript.

Are there reliable differences between generations? Should business and HR leaders make decisions based on generational differences? Why are generations so popular on social media and in the popular business press? Are generations even a thing? In this episode, I interrogate Dr. David Costanza, Director of the I/O Psych Doctoral program at George Washington University, where he is Associate Professor of Psychology and Organizational Sciences. I learned a lot and I hope you will, too. Check out the episode page for a full transcript. (Apologies in advance for blowing out the microphone! I sound like I'm screaming this episode!)

Raul Alejandro Espino joins us to share his observations about I-O psych in Central America, South America, and Spain. Be sure to visit the episode page for a full transcript.

Let's face it. We've got a bad name. In this episode, I make the case against the name "industrial and organizational psychology," consider some of the alternatives, and offer up my own suggestion for a new name. I'd love to hear your opinion about this one, so please hit me up on Twitter, LinkedIn, or email to share your perspective. Be sure to check out the episode page for a full transcript of my insane ramblings.

Please click here to donate to my GoFundMe. A few days ago, my family was devastated by a fast-rising flood that destroyed the first floor of our home and our vehicles. We are safe and dry, but we have very limited insurance coverage so picking up the pieces is going to be a hard road. If you can donate any amount, large or small, will be appreciated by my family. I look forward to resuming the show as soon as I can. I thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity. Episode page here.

Dr. Marcus Crede has been threatened, legally and physically. His crime? Pointing out problems in published research. Lack of pre-registration, lack of power analysis, obvious calculation errors, impossible statistical results...authors, editors, peer-reviewers and readers are not doing so well. What is happening and what can we do about it? Check out the episode page here.

Can you validly and reliably measure a construct with just a single item? If so, what does that mean for academics and practitioners? In this episode, Dr. Russell Matthews (University of Alabama), Laura Pineault (Wayne State University), and Yeong-Hyun Hong (University of Alabama), join me to talk about their new paper, Normalizing the Use of Single-Item Measures: Validation of the Single-Item Compendium for Organizational Psychology_in the _Journal of Business and Psychology. Check out the episode page for a full transcript.

What can we learn about leadership from the Marvel Cinematic Universe? An awful lot, if our guides are Dr. Gordon B Schmidt and Dr. Sy Islam. In this episode, I talk to Gordon and Sy about how they first got interested in Marvel, why the MCU is such a great setting for exploring leadership practices, and how they worked together to create Leaders Assemble! Leadership in the MCU. Be sure to check out the episode page for a full transcript and links.

One of the world's foremost experts on the psychology of video games is one of us! Jamie Madigan, Ph.D. is the I-O psychologist behind the blog, podcast, and media empire called The Psychology of Video Games. In the first level, Jamie and I talk about how a good workplace is like a videogame and why that's a cool topic for book. In the boss level, we talk about science communication, sounding like a person in your writing, and the differences between writing for a popular audience and writing for other nerds. Finally, in the bonus level, Jamie shares his tips for working with journalists. Check out the episode page for Jamie's bio and links and a full transcript.

How do practitioners learn about our research? What topics and questions do they wish we would research? How can we communicate our research more effectively? In this episode, I speak to Marc Effron, talent management consultant and author of One Page Talent Management about these questions and many more. Check out the episode page for Marc's bio, links, and a full episode transcript.

Robert has questions and I don't have the answers. But maybe you do. Robert is a junior at Marist College, majoring in psychology, and he plans to apply to grad schools in I-O psych after graduation. He has a lot of questions about the search and admission process that I am not equipped to answer. But you, my dear audience, have a wealth of experience to share with him. Listen to this episode and then check out the #IOPsychGradSchoolQuestions hashtag on Twitter and help us out! (Bonus: We also talk about the Robert's work with the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.) Check out the episode page for a guest bio and transcript.

Before she became an I-O psychologist, Courtney Keim worked as a server and bartender. In this second part of a two-part episode, Dr. Keim reflects on why bartenders make good I-O psychologists, how she chose I-O psych by a process of elimination, and how to read the early warning signs that you, too, may be a little I-O psychologist all along. Visit the episode page for a full transcript, links, and a guest bio.

Before she became an I-O psychologist, Courtney Keim worked at a residential treatment center for traumatized boys. In this first part of a two-part episode, Dr. Keim reflects on how those six brutal weeks influenced her later career as an I-O psychologist and professor. Along the way, we discuss integrity tests, stress, coping, and those little glimmers of insight that convince some of us that we may have been a little I-O psychologist all along, even before we knew about the field. Visit the episode page for a full transcript, links, and a guest bio.

After 12 years as a Naval Aviator and Marine Corps Officer, Jonathan Noftsier transitioned to a career in I-O psych consulting. In this episode, we talk about Jonathan's transition from Executive Officer (XO) to I-O consultant, what civilians get wrong about the military, and how to translate military experience for civilian interviewers. Visit the episode page for a full transcript.

Should we should spend less time testing our own theories and more time testing business practices as they're actually implemented in organizations? Can I-O psychologists improve Lean Management? What's the difference between testing and debunking? All this, and more, in my interview with Dr. Sy Islam (Talent Metrics Consulting, Farmingdale State College) and Dr. Gordon Schmidt (Purdue University Fort Wayne) about their paper Getting in the Game: I-O Psychologists as Debunkers and Testers of Business Practice. Visit the episode page for more links and a full transcript.

What's the difference between an expert and a thought leader? What's the big deal about curiosity? What's the shadow side of curiosity? What does too much curiosity look like? If you're curious, check out this episode with Dr. Alison Horstmeyer (Website, LinkedIn). Visit the episode page for a full transcript.

How should an I-O psychologist think about creativity? How do we define, operationalize, and measure it? What's the relationship between creativity and expertise? What is problem construction and why is it so crucial to creativity? What's the role of time, attention, and perspective-taking? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Roni Reiter-Palmon, an I-O psychologist who has spent her career studying creativity at the individual, team, and organizational levels. I learned a ton in this interview and I hope you will, too. Be sure to check out the full transcript on the episode page.

Jared Lock began his I-O journey at the University of Tulsa, studying under Bob and Joyce Hogan. These days, he heads up The JDL Group, a consulting firm he founded that employs a network of 40 licensed I-O psychologists. We start our conversation by learning about Jared's personal I-O journey and what he learned from the Hogans. We then discuss organizational culture, including why I-Os tend to disqualify themselves from conversations with business leaders, how to find the difference between "the words on the wall" and the actual organizational culture, and why it's important for both individuals and organizations to be upfront about who they really are. Be sure to check out the episode page for a full transcript.

Mike Urick, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Management and Operational Excellence and the Graduate Director of the Master of Science in Management program at the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. In this episode I talk to Mike about his new book, A Manager's Guide to Using the Force: Leadership Lessons from a Galaxy Far Far Away. Visit Mike's webpage or connect with him on Twitter or LinkedIn. Be sure to visit the episode page for a full transcript.

Ken Cavanagh was thinking about space travel long before he started working for SpaceX. In this episode, I talk to Ken about his new, thought-provoking essay, The Challenge to Astronauts. For more links and a full transcript of the show, visit the episode page.

Everyone who earns a PhD has a story to tell, but some stories are more interesting than others. Unfortunately, what makes a story interesting is hardship. Today's guest, Dr. Daniel Krantz, a freshly-minted PhD in I-O psych from the University of Akron, had to overcome more than his share of obstacles in the past few years. Along the way, he's learned some lessons about adaptability and perseverance that we can all learn from. Be sure to visit the episode page for a full transcript of this show. While you're at it, subscribe to the Department 12 Newsletter for weekly I-O psych news, links, and opinion.

Clemente Diaz is the Associate Director of College Now at Baruch College and an adjunct faculty member in I-O Psychology at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. Clemente is also a member of Bridge Builders, a SIOP sub-committee dedicated to helping make connections to students and the larger community. In this episode, we talk about the Advocacy Registry, where SIOP members can sign up to give talks at schools, career centers, and other organizations. Check out the episode page on the Department 12 website where you can find the full transcript for this episode and a video demonstrating how to sign up for the Advocacy Registry.

Sevelyn Crosby is the author of a new children's book, My Mommy is an Organizational Psychologist and Amelia Do is part of the sales and marketing team for the book. In this episode we discuss why Sevelyn was inspired to write the book and the process of writing, illustrating, publishing, and marketing it. We also discuss the role of design thinking in the revision process. Check out the episode page for links and a full episode transcript.

On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. The investigation board looking into the matter found fault in NASA's organizational culture, especially how it handled decision-making and risk assessment. That's where today's guest, Dr. Laura Gallaher, enters the story. Special thanks to Ryan Thibodeau, Kris Duvy, Ryan Isaac, Vivian Woo, Richard Mendelson, Veronika Jakl, and Craig Dawson for their questions. Visit the episode page for links and a full transcript. Also, if you like the show, please sign up for the free Department 12 Newsletter. Visit Gallaher Edge to learn more about Laura's consulting services.

In our frustrating and never-ending quest to explain what I-O psychology is, we could always say, at least, "No, we don't do counseling." Today's guest is taking that away from us, too. Cynthia DeVita-Cochrane joins us from the frontier of I-O psychology as she shares her experience as a business resiliency counselor. Along the way, we learn why mediators don't have mantras, how consultants are responding to the pandemic, why entrepreneurs can't count on Google for good business advice, and the best-kept secret in small business. Be sure to visit the episode page for links and a full transcript. (And don't worry, we didn't actually meet in a restaurant. I just wanted to feel like I was out of the house.)

Can I-O psych save the world? At least the world of work and organizations? My guests think so. Britt Gottschalk and Ethan Sprang of ReVise Consulting join us to talk about how COVID-19 will change the world of work and how I-O psych nerds can help. Check the episode page for a full transcript and links.

David Copeland, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology at UNLV. In this episode, he joins us to talk about his book, Success as a Psychology Major, which he co-wrote with Jeremy Ashton Houska. In addition to the book, we talk about the growing popularity of "Introduction to the Psychology Major" courses, which help psych majors explore speciality options and plan their careers. Check out the episode page for a full transcript. Also, be sure to check out Dr. Copeland’s interview on the Getting I-O into Intro Psych blog.

What's it like to be Black in I-O psychology? When Shavonne Holman and Macy Cheeks graduated from Howard University—the country's most prestigious historically black university—and entered graduate programs in I-O psych, they weren't prepared for how alone and isolated they'd feel. Over dinner and drinks, they talked about forming a LinkedIn group for Blacks in I/O...and that's when things got really interesting. In this episode, you'll hear the story of how that LinkedIn group became Blacks in I/O, a professional networking & learning association for Black industrial-organizational psychologists, practitioners, students and allies. You'll also learn how _you _ can pitch in to help Blacks in I/O change the field. Check out the episode page for more links to Blacks in I/O resources a full transcript of this episode. If you'd like to support Department 12 and learn a bunch of cool new stuff, check out Listenable. Listenable is powerful, bite-sized audio courses authored by well‑loved experts. This week's featured course is, appropriately enough, Building a Network for Success. Check out Listenable today and be sure to use the links provided here.

In our final episode with Sherif al-Qallawi (Twitter, LinkedIn), Sherif reflects on his long and winding journey to I-O psych. We'll travel from pharmaceuticals to the United Nations, by way of a coin flip. Be sure to check out If Only I Had Known Back Then on the GIT SIOP blog and tell your psych instructor friends about www.teachiopsych.com. And if you'd like a full transcript, check out the episode page.

I-O psychology is WEIRD: Most of our research is conducted with samples of Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic societies. How confident can we be that our evidence generalizes to non-WEIRD workplaces around the world? To gain some insight on that question, I asked our friend Sherif al-Qallawi (Twitter, LinkedIn) to talk about the Egyptian workplace and how it differs from workplaces in North American and Western Europe. Check out the episode page for a full transcript.

Sherif al-Qallawi (Twitter, LinkedIn) is a PhD candidate at Florida Tech. In this episode, Sherif explains what the Fulbright Scholarship is and how it can change the lives and work of IO psych grads and graduate students. Be sure to check out the episode page for a full transcript.

Let's talk about qualitative research in IO psych. What is it? What kinds of research questions can you ask with it? What are the methods like? How can you get started? In this episode, I'm joined by Julia McMenamin (Twitter), Dr. Jennifer Pickett (Twitter), Dr. Deborah DiazGranados (Twitter), and Dr. Scott Davies (Twitter). Be sure to check out the episode page for a transcript and more links. Hey, while you're listening, please sign up for the Deparment 12 Newsletter by clicking here. I will never sell your data or use it for anything other than sending you this newsletter. Thanks!

I've got a great episode on qualitative research in IO psychology coming up. In the meantime, here's a brief clip from one of the guests on that show, Dr. Scott Davies of PointLeader Predictive Analytics. Be sure to check out the episode page for a transcript and more links.

Kyana Beckles, Founder and CEO of Leverage Assessments, Inc. based in New York City, discusses pre-employment testing processes for law enforcement. Kyana works with the NYPD and has a wealth of practical experience and insights on how IO can help address recent challenges with law enforcement. She also shares her perspective on the "Defund the Police" movement. My thanks to Mark Tregar, Lisa Kath, Katherine Sliter, Jimmy Mundell, Christina Moran, Reid Klion, Wil Jiminez, Shane Hodgson, and Cavan Gray for the great questions via Twitter! Check out the episode page for a full transcript.

Hello, friends. Are you teaching a class this fall? Are you teaching it online or in some hybrid format? Then today's guest has some advice for you. Take a deep breath. It's going to be okay. Better than okay, even. Take a listen to Daniel Maday. He has some good advice for you. Oh, and be sure to check out this episode's page for a transcript and Daniel's contact information.

Everyone is speculating about how COVID-19 has changed work, but in this episode, I speak to a man who has more than an opinion: he has data. Dr. Alexander Schwall, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Rhabit Analytics, joins me to discuss what's changed for employees--and what hasn't--since COVID-19. Are employees more or less concerned about pay? Work-life balance? Does the manager matter? At the risk of sounding like a bad Buzzfeed headline, the answers may surprise you. Oh, and be sure to visit this episode's page on Department 12 to download Rhabit's recent whitepaper on empathy.

Gudela Grote is a past president of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP) and the current president of the Alliance for Organizational Psychology (AOP). In this episode, we talk about the mission of the AOP and the importance of global collaboration among work and organizational psychologists and practitioners. Visit the episode page on Department 12 for a full transcript.

Ali Salihoglu is starting a podcast for the Hofstra IO Psych Student Association and he's got questions! If you're thinking about starting an IO psych podcast of your own, this is definitely the episode for you. We talk equipment, marketing, show length, and a lot more.