Meet SIOP Member Samuel Blacher
Name
Samuel Blacher
Position/Employer
Management at Work
How long have you been a SIOP member?
First year
Interest area(s)
Leadership, Organizational Behavior and Culture, with a particular focus on the Tech industry, but also in general.
What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
Observing many problems and opportunities, as well as nuances and pitfalls, as a frontline employee, a manager, and a manager of managers throughout my experiences in the highly multicultural and people leadership skills-lacking tech industry.
What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
Driving better organizational and individual outcomes, such as collaboration, climate, trust, and through them happiness, satisfaction, productivity, and performance. This can be done through training and education, coaching and mentoring leaders and employees, and shaping organizational norms and procedures.
What work trends are you seeing and hearing about and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact these trends?
While this is probably not a trend, this is a very major problem: Managers, including executives, in the tech industry (and probably beyond) lacking organizational and people leadership skills, and a broad picture view of what their intuitive decisions may lead to. I believe that all high level executives, as well as mid-level managers, should have access to relevantly academically educated I-O psychology/organizational leadership professionals to consult with and receive proactive feedback from.
What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
Do not think you know everything. Do not think that others are smarter than you, even if they are more educated or hold highly influential positions. Anyone can be wrong (and is likely wrong on some things), anyone can have a narrow or biased view (and likely does), and anyone can offer a fresh or differently angled perspective on things. Even science can be wrong, and science is bound to its limited tools and context. Be humble, be hungry to listen, learn, and adapt. Yet do not overestimate others.
Is there any guidance you would provide to a job seeker given the current challenging state of the job market?
Try to get and maintain an edge. Perhaps AI, which is a very hot and emerging topic currently: How can it be used and leveraged in your potential role? Proactively emphasize your edge in your resume and interviews.
Also, if you need to start from a role other than your current “dream role”, be open to that, especially if you can discuss a potential path to move into your desired path after a while, if you demonstrate good performance. Once you’re on-board, proactively try to suggest contributions relevant for the role you’re interested to switch to (without overdoing it and annoying your supervisors or making others feel like you’re stepping on their toes).
What tip can you share with someone who might not know how to network in the field of I-O psychology?
While I (believe that I) am very friendly, networking and creating new meaningful social connections is somewhat complicated for me, too. I would suggest attending relevant meet-ups or conferences to try to find people with whom you can connect, and perhaps participating in online groups (such as on LinkedIn) to create connections, and desirably follow up in real life meetings.
Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
I was an electronic music producer years ago. Who knows, maybe I will be again 🙂
Is there anything you would like to add?
I recently earned a PhD in (business) Leadership, and launched my research & consultancy firm, after tens of years of experience in the tech industry, on two continents (previously Director of Test Engineering with McDonald’s, a Senior Manager with Apple, a manager in a few startups, and many years ago I also started and ran my own startup company). My prior and continued research revolves around managerial/leadership behaviors and practices, particularly in the tech industry, but also in general.
You’re more than welcome to connect on LinkedIn!
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