Workshop 2 (half day)
The I-O Psychologist and the Executive Committee: Lessons From the Front Line
Presenters: Ben E. Dowell, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Erika DEgidio, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Coordinator: Robert A. Schmieder, Schmieder & Associates
An I-O psychologists impact on an organization is determined by his or her ability to influence the senior most leaders of the organization. The presenters will discuss alternative approaches based on the I-O psychologists standing (i.e., internal vs. external, executive vs. professional). This workshop will include (a) a discussion of success factors and derailers for dealing with senior leaders, (b) caselettes drawn from the experience of the presenters that illustrate successful and unsuccessful attempts to influence senior leaders, (c) a debate on the role of the I-O psychologist within companies, and (d) lessons learned. This highly interactive workshop should be of interest to practitioners who are faced with getting things done in organizations, either in an internal or consulting role.
This workshop is designed to help participants:
- Identify strategies on how to successfully engage senior leaders (i.e., timing, venue, approach, etc.)
- Use a customer-focused approach in their work in organizations
- Know professional dilemmas that may occur in either an internal or external consulting role
- Apply approaches, processes, and strategies to influence senior leaders most effectively
Ben E. Dowell is vice-president, Talent Management for Bristol-Myers Squibb. He is responsible for leading a group that provides coaching and consulting to the senior management of the company focused on the identification, selection, and development of senior leaders. His group also develops programs, processes, and systems to set standards, assess, select, develop and manage the performance of talent at every level of the organization. He has been with Bristol-Myers Squibb since 1989 in a variety of HR generalist and HR development roles. Prior to Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ben held a number of management development and HR generalist positions in various divisions of Pepsico including Frito-Lay, Pepsico Foods International, and Pizza Hut. Based on over 30 years of experience in influencing senior leaders, his writing and speaking engagements have focused on integrated leadership development systems, succession planning, high-potential development, performance management, executive coaching, ethical decision making and talent management processes for senior leaders. Ben received his PhD in I-O psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Erika DEgidio is associate director, Talent Management for Bristol Myers Squibb. She is responsible for partnering with the business to design systems, processes, and programs focused on the identification, selection, development, and retention of talent within the organization. She has approximately 5 years of experience influencing senior leaders. Prior to joining Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2004, Erika worked for Jeanneret & Associates, a consulting firm based in Houston, TX for 9 years. Her work at Jeanneret & Associates focused on designing and validating selection systems, providing advice and counsel to clients regarding a variety of HR processes, and litigation support regarding a variety of employment issues. She received her PhD and MA in I-O psychology from the University of Houston.
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