The Psychology of Work: Why People Do What They Do

Groops

In this 30-minute episode, Dr. Bobbi and a guest expert delve into real-world workplace challenges, offering expert advice and actionable insights. Whether discussing trends we've uncovered or addressing listener-submitted concerns, each conversation is a candid, authentic exploration of team dynamics. Tune in to gain valuable strategies for enhancing connection and cohesion within your teams. Perfect for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about improving workplace culture.

  1. Jul 16

    The Role of Vulnerability and Coaching in High-Performing Workplaces with Jason Desentz

    What does leading HR through rapid technological change really look like? In this episode, global HR executive Jason Desentz reveals how detective work, authentic vulnerability, and a passion for learning helped him transform powerhouse organizations like Toshiba from the inside out. Dive into surprising parallels between law enforcement and HR, unpack the messy truth behind cross-generational teams, and discover why building trust, not just crunching numbers drives the future of work. If you want a candid, actionable conversation about AI, cohesion, and the human side of high performance, you won’t want to miss this. Jason R. Desentz is a global Human Capital executive and public-company CHRO with more than 25 years advising CEOs, boards, and compensation committees across automotive, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and financial services. He currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Toshiba's Americas operations, where he leads the full HR value chain and is pioneering the integration of AI into core HR functions. Previously he rebuilt the global HR function at Horizon Global (NYSE: HZN) and led human capital advisory work for companies from startups through mid-caps. He is a recognized keynote speaker on the future of work, AI in HR, and leadership. KEY TOPICS From police officer dreams to HR executive: Jason Desentz shares how detective work shaped his HR problem-solving approach [00:04:19]Coaching versus advice-giving: exploring why asking the right questions is the key to driving change and buy-in [00:06:43]Demystifying AI adoption in HR and how playing with technology builds employee comfort and innovation [00:10:08]Navigating generational and cultural differences. From Japanese harmony to American autonomy inside Toshiba [00:20:17]Why authentic vulnerability and learning from failure are Jason’s cornerstones for leadership and connection [00:25:21] Todays guest, Jason Desentz, can be found online at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-desentz/ Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  2. Jul 2

    Building Community and Mental Health Support in Coworking with Liz Elam

    What if your workspace could help cure loneliness and provide free mental health support? In this episode, we sit down with Liz Elam, the visionary who built one of Austin’s biggest coworking brands and founded GCUC, the largest coworking conference on the planet. Discover how Liz is on a mission to reimagine coworking spaces as hubs for belonging and well-being, why tackling the loneliness epidemic starts at work, and how the future of mental health might be more accessible than you think. If you’re curious about how community, innovation, and mental health are intersecting in the future of work, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Liz Elam is the founder of GCUC, the largest coworking conference in the world, and a pioneer of the coworking movement. After building Link Coworking in Austin, she became the first woman globally to exit a coworking brand in 2019. A futurist and sought-after speaker on the future of work, she hosts the bi-weekly GCUC Podcast and is on a mission to dismantle the loneliness epidemic through community. KEY TOPICS How coworking spaces evolved from 50 to over 40,000 globally and why belonging is at their core [00:01:19]Using coworking communities to address the loneliness epidemic and mental health crisis [00:03:03]The push for coworking spaces to offer free, barrier-free mental health support and the challenges involved [00:05:29]Why measuring community, connection, and social wellness is the next big challenge for the coworking industry [00:19:30]The future of work: more solopreneurs, AI-driven shifts, and why human connection will become even more valuable [00:25:40] Todays guest, Liz Elam, can be found online at: Website: https://gcuc.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizelam/ Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  3. Jun 18

    The Future of Work: Navigating AI, Growth, and Human Connection with Lorrissa Horton

    Step inside a conversation with Lorrissa Horton, CEO of Sūmersports, as she reveals how AI is reshaping not just the future of work, but our very identities and connections as humans. From leading tech transformations at Microsoft and Cisco to tackling the fear and opportunity swirling around AI, Lorrissa Horton opens up about what it takes to guide teams through uncertainty, hold space for real human growth, and redefine value in a rapidly changing world. Whether you're a leader, a parent, or simply trying to find your footing in the age of AI, this episode is packed with stories, hard truths, and actionable insights you can’t afford to miss. Lorrissa Horton is the CEO of Sūmersports, a platform fusing NFL expertise and artificial intelligence to deliver data-driven insights across the sports industry. With over 18 years leading technology innovation at Microsoft and Cisco WebEx, Lorrissa brings a rare mix of operator experience and systems-level thinking to every conversation about the future of work. An advocate for resiliency and empathy in leadership, she draws on her personal journey as a mom, immigrant, and tech executive to help organizations navigate rapid change, build cohesive teams, and reimagine what’s possible with emerging technology. KEY TOPICS How Lorrissa Horton's immigrant family and her mother's tech journey shaped her growth mindset and leadership approach 01:39The real-world impacts and fears of rapid AI transformation across industries, jobs, and family life 07:12Why leaders must balance transparency, empathy, and adaptability when guiding teams through uncertainty and change 10:57How intentional collaboration and human connection remain vital amid increasing AI use and digital efficiency 25:19The emotional and financial realities of job market shifts, the loss of identity, and the need for constant growth in the AI era 31:22 Todays guest, Lorrissa Horton, can be found online at: Website: https://sumersports.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrissa-horton-432478b1/ Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  4. Jun 4

    From Startup to Global Leader: Larry Hartmann on Team Dynamics and Growth

    Step inside the mind of Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG Partners, on this episode of "The Psychology of Work: Why People Do What They Do." From launching startups to leading one of the world’s fastest-growing executive search firms, Larry Hartmann shares eye-opening stories about scaling businesses, building high-performing teams, and why true leadership is all about earning followership. If you want to know how the world’s top companies and winning sports teams find and develop transformative talent, you won’t want to miss this candid and data-driven conversation with Dr. Bobbi Wegner and Larry Hartmann. Larry Hartmann is the CEO of ZRG Partners, one of the world’s fastest-growing executive search and talent advisory firms. An entrepreneur at heart, he has co-founded and scaled multiple businesses, from taking Rockford Industries public on the Nasdaq to leading ZRG to global prominence through hands-on leadership and strategic M&A. Under his direction, ZRG has grown to over 700 employees, $300M+ in revenue, and become a leader in both corporate and sports executive search. Larry is passionate about developing high-performing teams, championing data-driven talent strategies, and helping organizations unlock the kind of leadership that inspires followership and real-world results. KEY TOPICS The entrepreneurial journey: scaling two businesses from scratch to market leaders [00:01:44]Building high-performing teams through hands-on leadership and complementary partnerships [00:08:17]Using data-driven approaches and AI for executive search, leadership assessment, and onboarding [00:16:16]The centrality of followership, trust, and emotional intelligence in great leaders [00:21:08]Maintaining culture and relational depth while scaling organizations through rapid growth [00:30:17] Todays guest, Larry Hartmann, can be found online at: Website: https://www.zrgpartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-hartmann-723b3a/ 7 Pillars of Inspired Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Inspired-Leadership-entrepreneurs-influenced/dp/B0DT2RCLB7/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  5. May 21

    Navigating Conflict and Connection in Women’s Leadership and Entrepreneurship with Katya Libin

    What happens when spiritual wisdom meets business ambition? In this episode, Katya Libin, co-founder of Jadeva and powerhouse community builder, shares her journey from immigrant roots to influential leadership in the world of female entrepreneurship. Dive into a candid and inspiring conversation with Dr. Bobbi Wegner as they unpack the secrets of scaling a business without losing yourself, the power of authentic connection, and why rethinking feminine leadership might be the key to thriving in today’s workplace. If you’re ready to challenge your definition of success and discover the sacred space where strategy and soul unite, you won’t want to miss this episode. Katya Libin, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Jadeva, joins the show to share the journey from building HeyMama into a powerhouse network for working mothers to her current mission: helping visionary women entrepreneurs scale their businesses without losing themselves in the process. KEY TOPICS The immigrant experience as a foundation for entrepreneurial resilience [00:01:43]Redefining feminine leadership by integrating intuition, rest, and authentic alignment [00:07:29]The importance of naming and repairing relational dynamics for deeper team and community connection [00:12:22]The role of conscious practices like meditation and attunement in overcoming feelings of disconnection or being stuck [00:27:55]Bridging business and spirituality: why integration not consumption is key for women leaders [00:31:00] Todays guest, Katya Libin, can be found online at: Website: https://www.jadeva.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyalibin/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/katyalibin Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  6. May 7

    Mastering Pressure and Paradoxes With Elite Performance Psychologist Jonathan Smith

    Ever wondered what Olympic athletes and high-performing CEOs have in common? In this episode, renowned performance psychologist Jonathan Smith reveals the secrets behind thriving under extreme pressure on the field and in the boardroom. Discover how self-awareness, paradoxical leadership, and genuine team trust can turn any group into a powerhouse. Whether you lead a sports team or a company, you'll take away actionable insights to help you and your team perform and feel their best every day. Jonathan Smith is a performance psychologist, consultant, and lecturer whose career spans F1, GB sprint canoeing, Paralympic teams, and national rugby, badminton, and football associations. As managing director of adaptivemind, he translates what works in Olympic-level sports to public and private sector leadership and team development. Jonathan completed his undergrad, master’s, and PhD at Loughborough University, researching how others influence motivation and how individuals handle stress under elite pressure. He’s also served as a senior lecturer in sport psychology at Newman University, and today, he helps organizations balance performance, development, and wellbeing to get the best from their teams. KEY TOPICS The three-part optimization model: performance, development, and wellbeing in sport and work [04:00]How self-awareness acts as the gatekeeper for personal and professional growth [09:27]Why high-performing teams thrive on compassionate truth-telling—balancing candor and care [14:04]Embracing paradoxes: how support, challenge, autonomy, and belonging drive team dynamics [21:27]Performing under pressure can be learned. Recognize, release, and reset for peak performance [41:42] Todays guest, Jonathan Smith, can be found online at: Website: https://www.adaptivemind.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-smith-8185a747/ Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  7. Apr 9

    Inside the Mind of Leaders: Sebastien Page Talks Personality, Team Dynamics, and Workplace Happiness

    Step into the mind of Sebastian Page, chief investment officer and author of "The Psychology of Leadership," as he joins Dr. Bobbi Wegner for an eye-opening conversation on what really drives high-performing teams. From dissecting the power of personality traits to challenging popular myths about happiness and leadership, this episode delivers practical insights, candid stories, and surprising science-backed truths. Whether you're curious about why disagreeable leaders sometimes shape the best outcomes or how a Netflix binge could actually fuel your performance, you won't want to miss this engaging dive into the psychology of work. Sébastien Page is a Chief Investment Officer, author, and organizational psychology enthusiast. He oversees investment strategy across equities, fixed income, and alternatives for T. Rowe Price, managing over $500 billion in assets. His passion lies in exploring leadership through the lens of personality psychology, performance, and decision-making. Sébastien’s latest book, The Psychology of Leadership, examines how leaders think, react, and show up when stakes are high and the answers are unclear. He is a frequent speaker, podcast guest, and advocate for applying science-backed positive psychology to the workplace. KEY TOPICS The science vs. perception of happiness: why wealth and fame aren’t what drive fulfillment [04:03]Personality traits at work: balancing conscientiousness and openness for building high-performing teams [09:57]Agreeableness and conflict: how healthy disagreement fuels innovation and psychological safety in teams [22:21]Leadership effectiveness: why consistently exerting authority signals low team cohesion [30:40]Rest as performance fuel: Simone Biles and reframing downtime as a key to resilience [41:12] Todays guest, Sébastien Page, can be found online at: Sébastien’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Leadership-principles-leadership-individuals/dp/1804090921/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Sébastien-page/ Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

  8. Apr 2

    How “Yes, and Improv” Can Boost Team Innovation and Culture With Amanda Austin

    Ever wondered what improv comedy can teach us about building high-performing teams and authentic connections at work? In this episode, Dr. Bobbi Wegner sits down with keynote speaker, coach, and former Dallas Comedy House CEO Amanda Austin to explore the transformative power of improvisation in business. Discover how simple shifts in listening, embracing failure, and cultivating a "yes, and" culture can spark creativity, deepen trust, and bring teams together even in the face of uncertainty. Amanda Austin is a keynote speaker, coach, and the former CEO of Dallas Comedy House, where she spent over a decade helping teams and leaders think, communicate, and collaborate through the science of improvisation. She has worked with organizations like McKinsey, Hilton, Deloitte, and the U.S. Army, and teaches innovation and change in the MBA program at SMU. Amanda’s unique approach combines improv, organizational psychology, and human-centered design to help teams build trust, adapt to uncertainty, and create environments where everyone’s voice is heard. KEY TOPICS Improv isn't just offsite games, it's everyday skills for deeper listening and collaboration at work [00:02:21]The "yes, and" mindset: how acknowledging AND building on others' ideas fosters psychological safety and innovation [00:11:27]Why most teams have a connection problem, not just a communication problem and how improv addresses it [00:10:17]Embracing uncertainty and failure as core to team learning, growth, and resilience [00:22:16]How leaders' misreading of silence can signal disengagement and the early warning signs of apathy on teams [00:23:38] Todays guest, Amanda Austin, can be found online at: Website: https://www.amandaaustin.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-austin/ Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at: Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/ Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

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In this 30-minute episode, Dr. Bobbi and a guest expert delve into real-world workplace challenges, offering expert advice and actionable insights. Whether discussing trends we've uncovered or addressing listener-submitted concerns, each conversation is a candid, authentic exploration of team dynamics. Tune in to gain valuable strategies for enhancing connection and cohesion within your teams. Perfect for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about improving workplace culture.

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