Blog entries

Evidence-based interventions for psychological wellbeing

Kate Woodley — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:58:08 +0100

People who read this blog or follow me on Twitter would be aware of my interest in the science of positivity and its benefits, how to create enduring meaningful happiness and ways in which we can strengthen ourselves when the going gets tough. My emphasis here is on 'evidence-based' interventions - things that the research suggests will actually have a good chance of working.

A lot of my time is spent looking at other blogs, reading what the research literature suggests and 'keeping an...

Facebook- it's role in an emergency

Kate Woodley — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:35:33 +0100

Yesterday my adult son had an accident on his bicycle. He went across a car bonnet, broke the windscreen with his bare head then skidded onto the ground.

Whilst in the ambulance he logged onto Facebook on his iPhone, updated his status to alert that he had been hit by a car and 'checked in' to Royal Melbourne Hospital -then he collapsed. We were alerted to the accident via Facebook. We updated everyone on progress in the hospital via Facebook. Support and care poured in from all over ...

Career Path Appreciation & 'Flow'

Kate Woodley — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 21:30:15 +0100

I recently had the opportunity to explore the MCPA; based on the work of Elliot Jacques, it is a methodology designed to determine ones 'preferred approach to cognitive complexity', which apparently increases over time. The approach requires answering nine questions, selecting statements that are 'most like me' and 'least like me' from a prescribed range. A text based commentary is then required to supplement the answers chosen. The final plank in the process is a probing interview, drilling...

Facet 5 personality assessment - my preferred choice of 'psych test'

Kate Woodley — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:46:40 +0100

I have been preparing for a Facet 5 accreditation program, the aims of which are to train people to use, interpret and feedback the results of this personality profiling system.

Whilst looking through the training material, I was once again reminded of what an excellent product Facet 5 is - for coaching and development, building teams, selection and understanding culture.

In the seven or so years that I have been using the Facet 5 system, the feedback I get from clients is consi...

Developing resilience - the businesspsych way

Kate Woodley — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:03:43 +0100

This approach to generating resilience is designed to enhance flourishing in individuals and teams within organisations. This will provide the tools and interventions for individuals to create the conditions in which they thrive and can be delivered using a short workshop format as well as longer more in-depth sessions, as required.

Read more for an in-depth explanation of this approach - Developing Resilience - a Modular Approach.

Leadership development focusing on a strengths perspective

Kate Woodley — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:59:49 +0100

Whilst on holiday in SE Asia recently I spent time with friends who work for a large international financial services institution. This bank is unique, at least that's my understanding. Why ? - because its leadership development approach is firmly rooted in the paradigm of strengths. Is this so unusual? Yes - leadership development frequently focuses on 'de-railers', or 'areas for development'. As such, it's interesting to think that an organisation might be courageous enough to formally ado...

How to stay resilient in the face of the effort it takes to become resilient - a modern, ...

Kate Woodley — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:43:09 +0100

I have been invited to design a Masterclass to help People Leaders manage and develop their energy at work - physical, interpersonal, emotional, any other kind you dare to name. In the face of long working hours (us Aussies work amongst some of the longest hours in the developed world) in jobs that - whilst they do matter - we struggle to see our actual contribution- a bit like searching for your grain of sand on a beach.

Whether we are building our resilience and energy or seeking ...

Using our differences positively is a great way to bring about change

Kate Woodley — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:20:29 +0100

Democracy and Diversity

Whilst lining up to vote at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday, I noticed a young man wearing a very short school girls uniform and a blond wig, having just done his civic duty. And I also noticed a young member of the Sex Party having a chat and a laugh with an older member of the Liberals - our most conservative major party. And I got to reflecting (again) on how good it is to live in a diverse community.

But what a topsy-turvy world Australian politics ...

Strategic Business Psychology Conferences

Kate Woodley — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:18:07 +0100

I will be travelling during June, firstly to attend a Positive Psychology Masterclass, run by Bridget Grenville-Cleave who is also involved with the Masters in Applied Positive Psychology at UEL. I will also have some time in lovely Bath and London, Paris and the South of France.

I will also be attending the Facet 5 Strategic Business Partner conference in Amsterdam, where I will be supporting Norman Buckley and Rebekah Williams in running a Teamscape workshop for 50 or so European Bu...

January 2010 Leave

Kate Woodley — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:40:09 +0100

I will be on leave for most of January, joining my daughter and her boyfriend for a holiday in New York - it may prove to be a white New Years Eve!

Have a happy and above all safe Festive Season. I will return following Australia Day on 26 January 2010.

Psychology Conferences early in 2010

Kate Woodley — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:49:20 +0100

I am attending the 2nd Australian Positive Psychology Conference in Melbourne on 12-13 February 2010.

Click here for Registration and further details: http://www.positivepsychologyaustralia.org/

This will be followed by the 5th European conference on Positive Psychology held in Copenhagen from 23-26 June 2010.

Details can be found at: http://www.ecpp2010.dk/