5 Things a Psychologist Brings to Your Business

By Luis Robles
Hiring a psychologist to perform an office job, sometimes, might look as an odd decision, since we tend to
associate them with therapeutic or clinical environments, or think they'd prefer the science-heavy path of a
professor or researcher. However, there are five core character traits they develop during their formative years
that are extremely beneficial to corporate or organizational teams:
1. Mad number skills:
Due to the fact of having to deal with the most elusive, ephemeral subject of study - the human condition, most
curricula in Psychology majors rely heavily on statistical mathematics to be able to measure and communicate
results. Since the size and characteristics of samples are not always optimal, more often than not we have to use
non-parametric statistics just to be able to ensure that the data is extrapolable and reliable. In the workplace, this
kind of training translates into a professional who feels comfortable around massive amounts of data, and who
also is able to logically think her way through complex models of uncertainty.
2. Emotionally intelligent individuals:
Being in charge of determining whether somebody else has sufficient control over their emotions or not, makes
Psychology students initially vulnerable to too much introspective reflection. However, this early exposition to
their own blind spots and other weaknesses creates balanced, well-adjusted individuals who will be able to "keep
their cool" when pressure becomes too much to handle for the rest of the team.
3. Project management skills:
You wouldn't believe how standardized and painstakingly structured is the production of psychological literature
and research these days. Psychologists have to deal with the levels of complexity and bibliographical reference
torment other majors deal with at the end of their studies, from the very beginning of their journey. This translates
into a person who is able to efficiently source credible input in short periods of time, and who can also stay
focused on accomplishing and measuring previously scheduled tasks, in strict order, to ensure timely project
completion.
4. A dogged determination to remain ethical (at all costs):
For us psychologists, being ethical is not a matter of choice, but one of the sine qua non conditions that has to be
present from the very beginning in every exchange or relation for it to be truly productive. Being unable to hold
your moral ground and to slip on the compliance of ethical prerrequisites or boundaries, is not only inconvenient:
instead, it is the one thing that will have you lose all respect from your peers. Forever. The reasons for this
ideological peculiarity are beyond the scope of this post, but be sure that the psychologist in your team wi ll be
always thinking of measures of control to maintain the project and the business in the adequate ethical place.
5. The ability to really listen:
A psychologist receives "hands-on" training on different listening techniques and various interviewing
frameworks, and then they remain under supervision for years by their "elders", so as to be completely sure they
will understand what is being said and portrayed in a conversation. This translates into a person who will act as a
sort of catalyst in your work teams, providing a space for other members to unravel their stress and giving advice
on what to do when logical conflicts arise between management and executive personnel, or among project team
members themselves, regardless of their hierarchical relevance.
So, next time you are searching for a professional with these aforementioned traits, do not hesitate to hire a
Psychology major, for they might be the best fit for your organization.