Ep. 288 - From Career Confusion to Direction

When chaos hits, leadership can’t be scripted. Like steering through a storm, the key is shifting from “buy-in” to readiness. In this episode, we explore practical ways to help teams brace for impact, pivot together, and stay resilient so you can lead with clarity, humanity, and courage in the toughest moments. Guest: Dr. MaryJo Burchard (Creator of 'DUEL Leadership Model for Change Readiness' and Author of 'Getting Ready' and 'Ready Now') In this episode: Dr. Emi Barrresi, Tom Bradshaw, Dr. MaryJo Burchard, Nic Krueger, Christine Mikhail, LindaAnn Rogers, Natasha Desjardins    I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events     References:  Burchard, M. (2024). Ready Now: 10 Keys to facing and leading chaotic change with your soul intact: Vol. Book 2 of 2: The Change Experience Library. Independently published.   Burchard, M. (2024a). Getting Ready: 10 Readiness-building exercises when big change knocks you off your feet: Vol. Book 1 of 2: The Change Experience Library. Independently published.   Cunningham, C., Woodward, C., Shannon, H., MacIntosh, J., Lendrum, B., Rosenbloom, D. , & Brown, J. (2010). Readiness for organizational change: A longitudinal study of workplace, psychological and behavioural correlates. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. 75. 377 - 392.  http://doi.org/10.1348/096317902321119637    Dhiman, S. (2025). Palgrave Encyclopedia of Leadership and Organizational Change (pp. 1-9) Springer Nature Switzerland.

We unpacked how I/O psychology can transform career uncertainty into confident direction. We also explore evidence-based tools to help you make sense of competing priorities, manage overwhelm, and identify the strengths, values, and motivators that point you toward meaningful next steps.

 We unpacked the invisible habits, assumptions, and gaps in awareness that often limit growth for early-career and seasoned I/O practitioners. In this episode:  Dr. Heather Morton, Dr. Tim Sharples, Nic Krueger, Lee Crowson, Rich Cruz, Dr. Emi Barresi    I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events

We stepped back and examined the patterns, progress, and pivots that shaped your professional growth in 2025, while also exploring how to leverage your strengths, values, and goals in your career. In this episode:  Dr. Heather Morton, Tom Bradshaw, Nic Krueger, Rich Cruz, Dr. Emi Barresi, LindaAnn Rogers, Asif Haider, Staci Lee    I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events

A second byte of episode 242: AI Robots and Human-Centered Workforce. We’re continuing the conversation on the topic of the year. We'll explore how technology can amplify, not replace, what makes us uniquely human. In this episode:  Nic Krueger, Tom Bradshaw, Rich Cruz, Staci Lee, Lee Crowson, Kat Ortiz, Dr. Emi Barresi I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events

We delved deeper into what it truly means to be cognitively agile—not just reacting to change, but reframing it, leveraging it, and thriving through it. I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events

A second bite of episode 257: You have the degree now, what? Revisiting the conversation surrounding the transition from study to practice and the realities of trying to find an I/O specific role. We explored what it really takes to land meaningful roles, navigate the uncertainty, and build confidence when the “real world” doesn’t match the textbook.

Human-centric leadership is more than a philosophy; it’s a necessity in today’s tech-forward world. In this episode, we unpack what human-centric leadership truly means, why it matters, and introduce an innovative model designed to develop the leadership competencies necessary for thriving ethically. Discover how to lead with empathy, purpose, and impact while preparing your teams for the future of work.    In this episode: Dr. Emi Barresi, Nic Krueger, Lee Crowson, LindaAnn Rogers, Gaynell Vanderslice, Imani Nakyazi   I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events   References:  Albannai, N. A. A., & Raziq, M. M. (2025). Navigating ethical, human-centric leadership in AI-driven organizations: a thematic literature review. The Service Industries Journal, 1–28.  https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2025.2534360 Bardhan, I., Kohli, R., Oborn, E., Mishra, A., Tan, C. H., Tremblay, M. C., & Sarker, S. (2025). Human-Centric Information Systems Research on the Digital Future of Healthcare. Information Systems Research, 36(1), 1–20.  https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2025.editorial.v36.n1 Barresi, E. (Presenter) (2025, September 24 – September 26). Unveiling HEARTH Teams Leadership, a Human-Centric Leadership Model for Remote and Tech-Hybrid Teams. Computer Ethics Philosophical Enquiry Conference, Rome, RM, Italy. Batat, W. (2025). Holixec Education: From Atomistic and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Holixec Intelligence (HI) for Human-Centric Leadership in the Phygital Age. Journal of Macromarketing, 45(3), 528–541.  https://doi.org/10.1177/02761467251350356 Fenwick, A., Molnar, G., & Frangos, P. (2024). The critical role of HRM in AI-driven digital transformation: a paradigm shift to enable firms to move from AI implementation to human-centric adoption. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 4(1), Article 34.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-024-00125-4 Mortimore, D. (2024). Moving beyond human-centric organizational designs. Journal of Organization Design, 13(2), 65–75.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s41469-024-00167-z Palo-oja, O.-M., & Balevičienė, D. (2025). Bridging Academia and Enterprise: Human-centric Narratives of Innovation, Identity and Leadership in Science Commercialization. South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, 14(1), 7–9.  https://doi.org/10.1177/22779779251330224 Santiago, J. K. (2024). Rethinking Transformational Leadership and Workforce Dynamics for the Human -Centric Tech Era: Insights into Employee Engagement, Satisfaction and Job Performance. Journal of Intercultural Management, 16(4), 42–94.  https://doi.org/10.2478/joim-2024-0014

Highly skilled engineers often rise into leadership roles only to find themselves unprepared for the human complexities of guiding teams. In this episode, we explore the nuances of transitioning from a technical expert to a people leader, highlighting the soft skills that aren’t typically taught in engineering school but are essential for success. Learn how to communicate effectively, inspire collaboration, and lead with influence without losing your technical edge. Guest: Dr. Tom Ulrich (Author of Leading Engineers and Co-Creator of a Leading Insulin Pump Tandem) In this episode: Dr. Emi Barresi, Tom Bradshaw, Dr. Thomas Ulrich, Nic Krueger, Lee Crowson, LindaAnn Rogers   I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events   References:  Ulrich, T. R. (2017). A phenomenological inquiry into engineers’ motivation to lead. Proceedings of the international annual conference of the American Society for Engineering Management, 1–10.

Trust starts at the top. In this episode, we explore how leaders can inspire a culture of trust by demonstrating reliability, openness, competence, and compassion. Learn how intentional actions and clear communication create ripple effects that strengthen relationships and foster organizational alignment. Guest: Dr. Karen Misha (Co-Author of Becoming a Trustworthy Leader: Psychology and Practice)   In this episode: Dr. Emi Barresi, Tom Bradshaw, Dr. Karen Mishra, LindaAnn Rogers, Nic Krueger, Jason HamillImani Nakayanzi, Rich Cruz I/O Career Accelerator Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events References:  Mishra, K. E., & Mishra, A. K. (2023). Intentional Leadership: Becoming a Trustworthy Leader Second Edition (2nd ed., Vol. 1). Routledge.  https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367822170   Mishra, A. K., & Mishra, K. E. (2013). Becoming a Trustworthy Leader: Psychology and Practice (1st ed.). Routledge.  https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203080412