The Chief Psychology Officer

Dr Amanda Potter CPsychol
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Exploring the topics of workplace psychology and conscious leadership. Amanda is an award-winning Chartered Psychologist, with vast amounts of experience in talent strategy, resilience, facilitation, development and executive coaching. A Fellow of the Association for Business Psychology and an Associate Fellow of the Division of Occupational Psychology within the British Psychological Society (BPS), Amanda is also a Chartered Scientist. Amanda is a founder CEO of Zircon and is an expert in leadership in crisis, resilience and has led a number of research papers on the subject; most recently Psychological Safety in 2022 and Resilience and Decision-making in 2020. With over 20 years’ experience on aligning businesses’ talent strategy with their organizational strategy and objectives, Amanda has had a significant impact on the talent and HR strategies of many global organizations, and on the lives of many significant and prominent leaders in industry. Dr Amanda Potter can be contacted on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amandapotterzircon www.theCPO.co.uk

  1. 3d ago

    100 Episodes In: The Conversations That Changed Our Thinking

    Send us Fan Mail For the 100th episode of The Chief Psychology Officer Podcast, Dr Amanda Potter is joined by cohosts Caitlin Cooper, Angela Malik and Kristian Lees-Bell to revisit some of the conversations, ideas and research that have shaped the podcast so far. Across the episode, they return to discussions on psychological safety, cognitive diversity, resilience, decision-making, human judgement, connection and the changing world of work. Taking time to reflect on how those ideas have evolved and what they mean for organisations today.  The episode features clips and reflections from conversations with:  Martin Bromley OBE, on human factors, error and just organisations  Professor Adrian Furnham, on psychological safety and unheard voices  John Cooper, on connection and performance  Mark Herbert, on decisiveness, clarity and pace  Adam Smith, on the inner critic and the language we use with ourselves We also revisit episodes featuring Figen Murray OBE, Simon Rogerson and Lucy Becque as each host reflects on the conversations that have stayed with them most. A special episode looking back at what we have learned, how some of that thinking has evolved, and the questions that feel most important for organisations now. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  2. Aug 24

    Ep 99 Best bits series: Better decisions in an era of continuous pressure

    Send us Fan Mail What really gets in the way of good decision making? In this final Best Bits episode, Angela Malik and Kristian Lees-Bell reflect on some of our most memorable conversations about decision making and human judgement. Revisiting Dr Amanda Potter’s insights, alongside a conversation with Mark Herbert, the episode explores the psychology and neuroscience behind the choices we make, and what better decision making looks like for leaders and teams.  Together they unpack why we procrastinate, how fear of failure and sunk cost can keep us stuck, and how brain chemistry, pressure and our emotional state influence the decisions we make. In essence, this episode explores what better decision making means for leaders and teams. From choosing clarity over speed and understanding different decision styles, to knowing when to change course and how our choices affect those around us. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  3. Aug 3

    Ep 98 Best bits series: Resilience is more than just coping

    Send us Fan Mail What does resilience really look like when pressure keeps building? In this Best Bits episode, Angela Malik and Kristian Lees-Bell revisit some of our most memorable conversations about resilience, stress and recovery. Featuring insights from Dr Amanda Potter of BeTalent by Zircon; Martin Hewitt, founder of Adaptive Grand Slam; Figen Murray OBE, campaigner behind Martyn’s Law; John N Cooper, Chief Connection Officer at Thomas International; Lucy Becque, Group Chief People Officer at Coventry Building Society; and Professor Jo Yarker of Birkbeck, University of London and Affinity Health at Work. Together, they explore why resilience is more than simply coping or pushing through. The episode covers the neuroscience of stress, the difference between persistence and resilience, why high resilience scores do not always create stronger teams, and how relationships, leadership and working environments shape our ability to recover and adapt. From personal adversity to sustained organisational change, these conversations challenge us to think differently about who is responsible for resilience and what people really need when the pressure does not let up. Go deeper and listen to the original conversations: Martin Hewitt in Ep. 5Lucy Becque in Ep. 78Figen Murray in Ep. 86Professor Jo Yarker in Ep. 93John Cooper in Ep. 94Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  4. Jul 13

    Ep97 Best bits series: How strengths create diverse, engaged and energised teams

    Send us Fan Mail In the second Best Bits episode of The Chief Psychology Officer Podcast, we explore how strengths, cognitive diversity and leadership behaviour shape high-performing teams. Caitlin Cooper and Kristian Lees-Bell revisit standout conversations with Dr Amanda Potter, Stuart Desson, Simon Rogerson and Joe Wicks to unpack what energises people at work, why strengths are different from motivation and skill, and how leaders can create the conditions for people to perform at their best. The episode explores the role of strengths in employee engagement, team performance, leadership development, recruitment, psychological safety and organisational culture. It also looks at the risks of profile matching, clone teams and overusing strengths, showing why diverse thinking and different strengths are essential for innovation, adaptability and sustainable performance. For HR leaders, people professionals, coaches and anyone interested in organisational psychology, this episode offers practical insight into how strengths-based development can help individuals, teams and leaders build greater energy, trust, resilience and performance at work. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  5. Jun 22

    Ep96 Best bits series: Psychological Safety and High Performance

    Send us Fan Mail In the first part of our Best of Series, Caitlin Cooper and Angela Malik revisit some of the most powerful conversations we have had on psychological safety and high-performing teams. As we approach our 100th episode, this special round-up brings together insights from previous guests including Megan Giannini from Philips, Mike Wright from Network Rail, Laura McLean from Santander, Alex Myers, and Professor Adrian Furnham. Together, these conversations explore what psychological safety really means at work, why it is not about being nice all the time, and how it supports performance, learning, innovation, inclusion, and healthier challenge. From speaking up and listening up, to dealing with failure productively, measuring team climate, and creating environments where people can contribute honestly, this episode brings together the science, stories, and practical lessons that have shaped our thinking on psychological safety. Listen now to Best Bits: Driving High Performance Through Psychological Safety. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  6. Jun 1

    Ep95 Cognitive Dissonance: When Your Brain Calls Bias Intuition

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Chief Psychology Officer, Dr Amanda Potter and Kristian Lees-Bell explore cognitive dissonance, the mental discomfort we feel when our beliefs, values, and behaviours do not align. From everyday choices to high-pressure leadership decisions, they discuss why the brain often rushes to reduce discomfort by rationalising, justifying, or reframing decisions, even when those decisions may not be the most effective. Amanda and Kristian also examine how cognitive dissonance influences decision-making, bias, self-awareness, and workplace behaviour, particularly during periods of stress, ambiguity, and organisational change. They explore the links between cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, anchoring bias, optimism bias, and resilience, highlighting why leaders need to create space for reflection rather than defaulting to the path of least resistance. This practical conversation offers insight into how we can notice cognitive dissonance, challenge our assumptions, and make better decisions by becoming more honest with ourselves about the gap between what we believe and how we behave. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  7. May 11

    Ep94 Connection Intelligence w. John N Cooper

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Chief Psychology Officer Podcast, Dr Amanda Potter and Caitlin Cooper are joined by occupational psychologist and Chief Connection Officer John Cooper to explore why human connection is essential to performance at work. Together, they discuss why great teams are not built through harmony alone, but through the quality of connection that allows people to challenge, support, trust, and understand each other. John shares why the “chemistry” between people matters, and Amanda reflects on how this connects to psychological safety, belonging, resilience, and the environments organisations create. The conversation also explores how AI and new ways of working may be changing the way we connect. As work becomes more efficient, remote, and technology-enabled, there is a risk that we turn to tools before we turn to each other. This episode asks an important question for leaders and organisations: are we building in the conditions for people to continue to build trust, strengthen relationships, and perform well together? Tune into Episode 94: Why Great Teams Need Friction with John Cooper. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

  8. Apr 20

    Ep93 Stop fixing people: start fixing work with Jo Yarker

    Send us Fan Mail Ep 93 Stop fixing people: start fixing work with Jo Yarker What does it take to sustain performance over time? In this episode of the Chief Psychology Officer podcast, Dr Amanda Potter is joined by Professor Jo Yarker to explore how organisations can create healthy working environments that support both wellbeing and performance. Many organisations invest in resilience and wellbeing initiatives, yet still struggle with burnout, disengagement, and declining performance. This conversation challenges why and where organisations may be focusing on the wrong solutions. Rather than placing responsibility on individuals, this episode explores the role of organisational systems, leadership behaviour, and work design in shaping employee health and resilience. Key themes include:  Why sustainable performance depends on healthy work, not just resilient individuals  The shift from reactive wellbeing initiatives to proactive prevention  How leadership and line managers influence employee health and performance  The impact of workload, clarity, and consistency on resilience  The IGLU framework. understanding how individual, group, leader, organisational, and external factors interact  Why health should be treated as a core business outcome This episode is for HR leaders, senior executives, and organisations looking to reduce burnout, improve employee wellbeing, and build environments where people can perform consistently under pressure. Because sustainable performance is not driven by effort alone. it is enabled by healthy work. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betalent-by-zircon/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://www.betalent.com/research   For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: Hello@BeTalent.com

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About

Exploring the topics of workplace psychology and conscious leadership. Amanda is an award-winning Chartered Psychologist, with vast amounts of experience in talent strategy, resilience, facilitation, development and executive coaching. A Fellow of the Association for Business Psychology and an Associate Fellow of the Division of Occupational Psychology within the British Psychological Society (BPS), Amanda is also a Chartered Scientist. Amanda is a founder CEO of Zircon and is an expert in leadership in crisis, resilience and has led a number of research papers on the subject; most recently Psychological Safety in 2022 and Resilience and Decision-making in 2020. With over 20 years’ experience on aligning businesses’ talent strategy with their organizational strategy and objectives, Amanda has had a significant impact on the talent and HR strategies of many global organizations, and on the lives of many significant and prominent leaders in industry. Dr Amanda Potter can be contacted on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amandapotterzircon www.theCPO.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Amanda Potter CPsychol
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Chief Psychology Officer
  • Show Website
    The Chief Psychology Officer

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