Organizational Sherlocks, a Business Psychology podcast

Organizational Sherlocks with Morgan Ashworth and Dr. Elizabeth Fleming

Learn how to apply psychological principles to your organization. Hear from two industrial-organizational psychology professionals and a variety of featured co-hosts, joining us from every field of business. Chief People Officer and Organizational Development Consultant, Morgan Ashworth, and Business Psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Fleming, are your hosts, bringing a new perspective to how organizational leaders can utilize I/O psychology and general psychology in their industries.

  1. S3, Ep.18 - Growth by Design: How a Car Salesman Turned CEO Cracked the Code on Performance Management

    May 22

    S3, Ep.18 - Growth by Design: How a Car Salesman Turned CEO Cracked the Code on Performance Management

    S3, Ep.18 - Growth by Design: How a Car Salesman Turned CEO Cracked the Code on Performance Management Episode Summary:Most organizations have a growth plan. Very few have a growth system, and that difference is everything. In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth sit down with Stephen Moore, CEO of DualDash and author of Strike Zone: The Performance System Every Dealership Needs, to explore what it actually takes to build an organization that grows by design, not by chance. Stephen's path is anything but typical: he started in retail automotive by answering a help wanted ad, worked his way through every role from test driver to sales manager, and eventually helped take a dealership from the bottom of the market to the top in a single year. That experience led to national consulting, and what he found everywhere was the same problem: everyone working hard, but no system working hard for them. Together, they dig into the psychology behind why growth plans stall, why high-performing organizations run on systems rather than personalities, and how psychological safety, specifically Dr. Timothy Clark's four-stage model, is not just a culture conversation but a growth conversation. Stephen shares how structured coaching, real-time performance data, and genuine trust between managers and employees are the levers that actually move organizations forward. Whether you're a first-time manager, an HR professional, an organizational development consultant, or a leader trying to scale a team, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at how to build the conditions that allow people - and organizations - to grow together. Topics Covered: Why having a growth plan is not the same as having a growth systemThe shift from personality-driven performance to process-driven resultsPsychological safety and Dr. Timothy Clark's four stages: Belonging, Learner Safety, Contributor Safety, and Challenger SafetyWhy trust determines how fast an organization can growThe difference between an accountability problem and a clarity problemHow structured 1:1 coaching turns performance data into real behavior changeBuilding bench strength and developing people deliberatelyHow AI is reshaping performance management without losing the human element Sound Bites: "The gap isn't strategy, it's people.""Everyone was working hard. But there wasn't a system working hard for them.""Trust is the foundation of organizational growth. Organizations can only move as fast as trust allows.""Psychological safety isn't just a culture conversation, it's a growth conversation.""Bridging the gap between performance data and coaching." Keywords:organizational growth, performance management, psychological safety, leadership, data-driven coaching, I/O psychology, organizational development, retail automotive, trust, team development, bench strength, DualDash, Strike Zone, Timothy Clark, Stephen Moore, manager coaching, HR, people operations, business psychology, growth systems, performance systems

    40 min

  2. May 15

    S3Ep17: Stop Guessing, Start Hiring Smarter: The 3-Lever Talent Framework Every Leader Needs

    When a capability gap appears in your organization, you have three levers to pull: Build the talent internally, Buy it through external hiring, or Borrow it through fractional or contract work. In Episode 17, hosts Morgan Ashworth (MSIOP, MLS) and Dr. Elizabeth Fleming (PsyD) take you inside the Build, Buy, and Borrow levers — what they are, when to use them, and what quietly goes wrong when organizations rely on instinct instead of strategy. In this episode, you'll learn: Why hiring for "the role today" instead of the role in 18 months is one of the most expensive talent mistakes organizations makeHow structured interviews, open-ended questions, and value-based scorecards reduce bias and improve hiring decisionsWhy gut instinct — while valuable — is actually one of the weakest predictors of job performance (and what the research says to use instead)The real hidden costs of a bad external hire: cultural friction, disrupted internal candidates, extended ramp-up time, and downstream turnoverWhen the Borrow lever (fractional, contract, temp) is the most strategic financial and operational choice — and what legal landmines to avoidThe 3 diagnostic questions every leader, HR professional, and business owner should ask before making any talent decisionWhy workforce planning is not just an HR responsibility — it's a leadership imperativeThe Build, Buy, Borrow talent frameworkExternal hiring strategy and forecastingPay transparency compliance by stateStructured vs. unstructured interviewsPerson-job fit vs. person-organization fitCognitive, personality, and motivational assessments as predictors of job performanceValue-based interview structures and scorecards90-day introductory period best practicesThe fractional and contract workforce economyTemp agencies and temp-to-hire modelsSeasonal workforce planning and demand forecastingContractor misclassification risk (W2 vs. 1099)Succession planning and time horizon thinkingOperational maturity applied to people strategy

    51 min

  3. May 8

    S3 Ep16: "Am I Good enough?" Imposter Syndrome at Work + What to Do Next

    In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, Dr. Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth unpack imposter syndrome—why it shows up, why transitions amplify it, and how to work through it without waiting for confidence to magically appear. We focus especially on moments like graduation, career changes, and new roles, where expectations are high and feedback can be unclear. You’ll learn how to use self-leadership to interrupt imposter thoughts, and how organizations can create the kind of structure that helps people succeed—through clearer onboarding, better feedback loops, and “small win” momentum. Whether you’re a new grad trying to find your footing, a manager supporting a high performer, or HR designing onboarding and development programs—this episode is a practical playbook you can apply immediately. Key topics What imposter syndrome is (and where it comes from)Why transitions trigger it (graduation, new roles, career pivots)Who it affects most—and why high performers aren’t immuneOrganizational strategies: onboarding, structure, clarity, supportIndividual strategies: feedback, self-efficacy, tracking small winsNormalizing imposter syndrome as a common experience (not a personal flaw)

    26 min
  4. S3, Ep.15 - Your Sales System Is Broken: Behavioral Science Explains Why | with Dr. Deepak Bhootra

    May 1

    S3, Ep.15 - Your Sales System Is Broken: Behavioral Science Explains Why | with Dr. Deepak Bhootra

    S3, Ep.15 - Your Sales System Is Broken: Behavioral Science Explains Why | with Dr. Deepak Bhootra Episode Summary: In this episode, Morgan Ashworth sits down with Dr. Deepak Bhootra, B2B sales practitioner and organizational researcher, to explore why sales environments are one of the most revealing windows into how organizations actually function. What does performance under pressure really look like? And why do so many well-designed systems still produce burnout, disengagement, and inconsistency? If you've ever wondered why your sales team knows what to do and still underperforms, or why investing in process doesn't seem to move the needle, this conversation reframes sales as a behavioral system rather than a revenue function. Dr. Bhootra draws on hands-on B2B experience and academic research in organizational commitment and job satisfaction to unpack what organizations are actually measuring (and missing), how system design shapes motivation and commitment, and why AI will amplify a broken system, not fix it. Whether you manage salespeople, build organizational systems, lead culture change, or advise businesses on performance, this episode gives you a new lens for diagnosing what's really driving results and what a sustainable, human-centered sales system can look like. Topics we cover: Sales as a behavioral system — not just a revenue functionSales longevity vs. career longevityThe measurement problem: what organizations track vs. what actually drives performanceHow system design shapes motivation, commitment, and disengagementThe role of scripts and role play in sales trainingCoaching the person, not just the numbersThe sales manager's evolving role in a post-COVID worldEmotional intelligence and the difference between managing and leadingFollowership - and what it reveals about effective leadershipSelf-awareness as a daily growth practiceCelebrating small wins as a behavioral strategyAI, autonomy, and the risks of optimizing systems without understanding human behaviorSound bites: "Sales longevity is about surviving stress.""Self-awareness is a daily ritual.""Celebrate small wins loudly.""AI won't fix a broken system - it will amplify it.""You're not coaching numbers. You're coaching a person."Keywords: Sales, Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Systems, Sales Performance, Sales Longevity, Career Development, Self-Awareness, Leadership, Followership, Emotional Intelligence, Sales Training, Role Play in Sales, Motivation, Organizational Commitment, Job Satisfaction, System Design, People Management, Coaching, AI in Sales, Future of Work, Sales Management, High Performance, I/O Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Business Psychology, Organizational Sherlocks, Dr. Deepak Bhootra Resources Mentioned: ICF Coaching CertificationSandler System MethodologyAI in Sales: Strategies and ToolsOrganizational Psychology BooksDr. Deepak Bhootra on LinkedIn

    55 min

  5. Apr 24

    S314: The Science of Coachability: Psychological Insights for Leaders

    Coachability gets talked about like a personality trait...either you “have it” or you don’t. In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth break that myth and explore coachability as a dynamic, learnable capacity shaped by mindset, motivation, and the systems people work inside. Using growth mindset, self-determination theory, and systems theory, they walk through how to assess readiness for change, spot the difference between resistance and misfit, and tailor coaching interventions that actually stick. You’ll leave with a clearer way to give feedback, design development plans, and remove organizational barriers so people can grow—without blaming the individual for a system problem.

    44 min

  6. Apr 17

    S3Ep13: Reimagining Compliance: From Rules to Culture with Kirsten Liston

    In this episode, we sit down with Kirsten Liston, Founder and CEO of Rethink Compliance, to explore how modern compliance is evolving... from policies and enforcement to culture, behavior, and influence. If you’ve ever wondered why people “know the rules” and still break them, or why compliance training can feel performative (and ineffective), this conversation reframes compliance as a systems-and-psychology challenge. Kirsten shares how organizations can make compliance stick by designing environments that support ethical decisions, using data analytics to understand what’s really happening, and communicating expectations through storytelling and creative training strategies that people actually remember. Whether you’re leading change, managing risk, building culture, or trying to get buy-in without authority—this episode gives you practical ways to move compliance from a department to a shared organizational capability. Topics we cover Compliance as a reflection of human behaviorThe evolution of compliance: rules → cultureMeasuring compliance impact with data analyticsWhy “check-the-box” training fails (and what works instead)Storytelling + creative communication in compliance trainingBuilding leadership buy-in and cross-level commitmentROI of a strong compliance culture (risk reduction + trust)The “bad apples” problem—and why systems still matterCompliance realities in small and scaling organizations

    1 hr
  7. S3, Ep.12 - Overcoming Why Performance Metrics Don’t Work: The Application of Gamification in KPIs to Change Performance

    Apr 11

    S3, Ep.12 - Overcoming Why Performance Metrics Don’t Work: The Application of Gamification in KPIs to Change Performance

    S3, Ep.12 Overcoming Why Performance Metrics Don’t Work: The Application of Gamification in KPIs to Change Performance Episode Summary: What makes KPIs effective: pressure and consequences, or systems that help people stay motivated and make meaningful progress?  In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth explore how gamification can transform KPIs from stressful report cards into tools that support engagement, accountability, and healthier performance cultures. They examine why traditional KPI systems often create anxiety, disengagement, or short-term compliance, and how organizations can use psychological principles to design metrics that people are more willing to engage with.  Using practical examples and organizational psychology insights, they discuss how visual dashboards, progress tracking, SMART goals, recognition, and feedback loops can make performance management feel clearer, more motivating, and less punitive. They also unpack how leaders can balance accountability with realism, tailor KPI systems to different types of employees, and avoid turning motivation into manipulation.  Whether you’re a first-time manager, a department leader, an HR business partner, a people analytics professional, an executive sponsor, a strategy lead, or a consultant helping organizations improve performance, this conversation offers a practical reframe for how KPIs can drive progress without creating fear. Topics Covered: Gamification as a motivational toolVisual dashboards and progress trackingGoal-Setting Theory and SMART goalsIntrinsic vs. extrinsic motivationSelf-Determination Theory and employee engagementExpectancy Theory and connecting effort to outcomesBehavioral reinforcement and recognitionFlow Theory and designing realistic challenge levelsSocial Comparison Theory and healthy competitionChange management in KPI implementationAccountability without punishmentDesigning KPI systems around human motivation Sound Bites: "KPIs should motivate, not punish.""Gamification changes the game entirely.""Know what motivates your team.""A good KPI system does not just measure performance. It teaches people how to make progress.""The question is not whether accountability matters. It is what kind of accountability creates growth instead of fear." Keywords: KPIs, gamification, motivation, performance management, dashboards, goal setting, organizational psychology, employee engagement, accountability, workplace psychology, leadership, HR strategy, people analytics, change management, managers, executives, consultants, strategy, decision-makers

    32 min

  8. Apr 3

    S3Ep11: The Truth About Generational Tension

    What if generational tension at work is not really about age at all? In this episode, Morgan and Elizabeth explore what is really happening beneath the surface when younger and older professionals struggle to connect at work. They discuss why generations should not be treated like personalities, how context shapes workplace expectations, and why psychological safety, healthy conflict, and curiosity are essential for stronger teams. This conversation highlights how a 25-year-old and a 45-year-old may approach work differently, but can often create better ideas together than they would apart. From flexibility and meaning to communication and innovation, this episode reframes generational tension as something leaders, employees, and organizations can learn from rather than fear.

    32 min
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About

Learn how to apply psychological principles to your organization. Hear from two industrial-organizational psychology professionals and a variety of featured co-hosts, joining us from every field of business. Chief People Officer and Organizational Development Consultant, Morgan Ashworth, and Business Psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Fleming, are your hosts, bringing a new perspective to how organizational leaders can utilize I/O psychology and general psychology in their industries.

Information

  • Creator
    Organizational Sherlocks with Morgan Ashworth and Dr. Elizabeth Fleming
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Organizational Sherlocks with Morgan Ashworth and Dr. Elizabeth Fleming
  • Show Website
    Organizational Sherlocks, a Business Psychology podcast

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