By SIOP Student Zainab Aderinwale
In workplaces and entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world, many talented women struggle not because they lack ideas or ambition, but because they lack structured guidance, mentorship, and support systems that help translate potential into measurable results.
Through my work at the intersection of psychology, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, I have seen how practical frameworks and mentorship can help emerging leaders navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and move their ideas forward.
One approach I developed to address this challenge is the Passion–Problem–Solution (PPS) Founder Acceleration Framework, a simple but structured way to evaluate and support entrepreneurs and emerging leaders.
The PPS framework focuses on three core questions.
Passion: Does the individual have a deep personal commitment to the work they are pursuing? Passion often sustains leaders through uncertainty and setbacks. It also strengthens key entrepreneurial traits such as resilience, determination, and the ability to persist through challenges.
Problem: Is the person solving a real, measurable, and meaningful problem? Many ventures and initiatives fail because the underlying challenge has not been clearly defined or validated. Without a strong foundation, it is difficult to build something sustainable.
Solution: Is the proposed solution practical and scalable? This step evaluates whether the idea can realistically be implemented and sustained over time.
The framework has been applied in venture studios and entrepreneurship mentorship programs, helping participants clarify their goals, evaluate themselves, refine their ideas, and strengthen their leadership approach. In many cases, simply guiding founders and professionals through these three questions helps them identify gaps early and make more strategic decisions.
Beyond entrepreneurship, structured mentorship has proven to be one of the most powerful tools for leadership development. Mentorship programs that combine psychological insight with practical skill-building can significantly improve confidence, decision-making, and long-term career growth.
In my mentorship initiatives for women and emerging leaders, participants engage in exercises designed to strengthen resilience, reflect on their leadership identity, and develop clear action plans for their careers or ventures. Rather than focusing only on motivation, the programs emphasize practical strategies participants can apply immediately in their workplaces or businesses.
For example, participants learn how to:
- Break down complex challenges into measurable problems
- Evaluate whether a proposed solution truly addresses the root issue
- Reflect on their motivation and long-term goals when making leadership decisions
These practices may sound simple, but they often produce meaningful results. When individuals are given structured tools to think through problems and opportunities, they are better equipped to lead teams, build organizations, and create sustainable impact.
For professionals working in leadership development, mentorship programs, or entrepreneurship ecosystems, structured frameworks like PPS can provide a practical way to translate psychological insights into real-world outcomes.
Organizational psychologists have long emphasized the importance of motivation, leadership behavior, and workplace dynamics. By translating these insights into simple frameworks and mentorship practices, we can make them more accessible to founders, managers, and emerging leaders navigating complex environments.
Ultimately, the goal is not just to help individuals succeed but to build stronger organizations and more inclusive leadership ecosystems. When women and emerging leaders receive the right guidance and practical tools, they are better positioned to innovate, lead effectively, and contribute to meaningful economic and social impact.
—
About the Author
Zainab Aderinwale is an entrepreneur and researcher focused on entrepreneurship, founder development, and venture success. She developed the PPS Founder Framework, which examines how founder psychological readiness and founder–problem alignment influence venture persistence and performance. She is passionate about supporting emerging founders and women entrepreneurs. Her areas of interest include founder psychology, venture evaluation, entrepreneurship development, and leadership growth.
—
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology or its affiliates.
If you are interested in submitting an article for Thought Leadership for a Smarter Workplace, email SIOP Senior Brand and Content Strategist Amber Stark at astark@siop.org.
Post Type
Thought Leadership for a Smarter Workplace
