Psychodynamics at Work: Navigating Organizational Effectiveness with Dr. Anna Gibson

Psych in Business

In this episode of the Psych in Business podcast, host Dr. Ernest Wayde welcomes Dr. Anna Gibson, a licensed psychologist and organization development consultant. Dr. Gibson discusses her work, emphasizing evidence and theory-informed principles of human behavior to design interventions for individual, team, and organizational effectiveness. Specializing in creating happier and healthier workplaces, she collaborates with leaders across various sectors, including government, tech, healthcare, and entertainment.

Dr. Gibson shares her journey into psychology, starting with her early involvement in theater. Her experience at an audio book recording studio sparked her interest in organizational factors influencing workplace morale. This interest led her to pursue a clinical degree, incorporating psychodynamic work into leadership development and organizational consulting.

The conversation delves into the importance of evidence-based practices in Dr. Gibson's work. She explains her focus on psychodynamic approaches while incorporating complementary evidence-based practices. The discussion touches on the challenges of applying longer-term therapeutic models and the significance of addressing underlying factors influencing behavior.

Dr. Wayde explores Dr. Gibson's current work, which includes executive coaching, leadership development, team collaboration, and broader organizational systems and culture work. They discuss her involvement with startups, particularly in the digital health field, addressing challenges related to rapid growth and organizational transitions.

The podcast shifts to Dr. Gibson's coaching approach, primarily focusing on executive coaching for mid-level managers and above. She emphasizes helping leaders develop flexibility in their leadership styles to effectively manage diverse teams. Dr. Gibson highlights the importance of self-awareness and self-management, drawing from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches.

Dr. Wayde also explores Dr. Gibson's work in the entertainment industry, where she assists individuals, including performers and athletes, in managing performance anxiety and enhancing their mindset for optimal performance.

The episode concludes with Dr. Gibson sharing her contact information for those interested in reaching out. Additionally, she provides valuable advice for leaders, emphasizing the significance of hiring the right people upfront, especially for startups, to minimize costs and foster organizational success.

You can visit her business website at: www.gibsondynamics.com