"This is clearly a unique course. It is extremely powerful."
Richard Petrie, Technical Director, BAA plc
High Performance Leadership
Be you, only better!
Our Praxis programmes are designed for individuals like you, who are looking to build on their personal communication, leadership and people management styles, we help individuals and their organisations to achieve a more successful future.
Firmly grounded in management issues, we provide a radical and innovative edge to conventional thinking.
Highlights
Customer Testimonials
"Great course, the best I have ever had. A lot of useful experience and lessons and great people to work with and an excellent atmosphere!"
Jurgen Hirschfeld, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs DG/RP, Schering AG
Managing People Effectively
"Very much enjoyed the whole course. It was excellent."
Cris Maiden, Information Technology Infrastructure Manager, SX3 Service & Systems Solutions Ltd
Influencing Skills for the New Workplace
"Really fantastic course with a great bunch of people - tutors and participants.
Joanne Boyle, Head of Customer Service Development, Permanent TSB
Increasing Personal Power
"A simply fantastic course! Such a different approach that has me completely convinced and inspired! Thank you so much."
Maria Chandler, Web Manager, Lloyd's
Managing People Effectively
"It exceeded my expectations completely. I found it extremely relevant and like all the best ideas, beautifully simple."
Dorothy Leng, Company Director, Faraday Partnership
Courageous Conversations
"Quite a fulfilling experience. The interaction between the tutors and course participants is very conducive /encouraging for the self expression and achievement of programme objectives.
Bernard Poyi, Head - Agriculture Business & SME, First Bank of Nigeria
High Performance Leadership
"The whole course has been of great help in my personal development of management of others, and how to interact with them to achieve the best results."
Max Giddins, Shift Co-ordinator, Corus Tubes
Managing People Effectively
"Hugely rewarding and thought-provoking on a personal and professional level."
Maureen Dyson, Corporate Banking Manager, Ministry of Defence.
*This is a personal comment, and does not reflect any formal/official endorsement by the MoD
Increasing Personal Power
"Thanks for an outstanding experience."
Gary Miller, Associate Director, Briggs & Forrester
Managing People Effectively
Forthcoming Events
- Increasing Personal Power - 23 February 2009
- Confident and Creative Presentation - 26 February 2009
- Organisational and Interpersonal Skills in Management - 09 March 2009
- Walking Your Talk: High Impact Performance - 11 March 2009
- Managing People Effectively - 16 March 2009
- Courageous Conversations - 28 April 2009
- High Performance Leadership - 11 May 2009
- Organisational and Interpersonal Skills in Management - 18 May 2009
- Increasing Personal Power - 08 June 2009
- Power and Influence - 15 June 2009
- Winning Hearts and Minds - 17 June 2009
- Managing People Effectively - 29 June 2009
- Organisational and Interpersonal Skills in Management - 06 July 2009
- Organisational and Interpersonal Skills in Management - 14 September 2009
- Confident and Creative Presentation - 24 September 2009
- Increasing Personal Power - 28 September 2009
- High Performance Leadership - 05 October 2009
- Walking Your Talk: High Impact Performance - 07 October 2009
- Managing People Effectively - 12 October 2009
- Organisational and Interpersonal Skills in Management - 09 November 2009
- Winning Hearts and Minds - 11 November 2009
- Power and Influence - 16 November 2009
- Courageous Conversations - 17 November 2009
Faculty Spot
Catherine Berney
Programmes
Courageous Conversations
Praxis Customised Programmes
Work Experience
I am a solicitor as well as an organisational psychologist. Initially, I spent eight years with McCanns and Linklaters developing a very successful career in international finance, particularly aircraft finance.
My interest in the interpersonal dynamics of business led to my leaving the law in 1992 and undertaking a full time master’s degree.
In 1993, I became the first practicing lawyer in the UK to obtain a masters degree in the psychology of organisation. That same year, I established an Organisational Development consultancy which remains one of the few combining consultancies of psychological expertise with a background in legal, professional and financial services.
What are you an expert in?
- Emotional intelligence
- Interpersonal skills
- Motivation
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Managing change and
- Creativity
More recently, I have developed a particular area of speciality in:-
- Group processes
- Team dynamics
What is it you are currently thinking about/care about in the world of work?
I am increasingly fascinated by the power of group processes and the facility for groups at work to either help or hinder individual contributions.
I am currently developing a business model based on ‘Foulkes’ group process ‘matrix’ theory which can enable the varied individual contributions to become more alive, fluid and hence productive.
My dream is that this level of awareness could be realised within organisations where group/team work is increasing.
What would you like to see change in organisations?
An increased level of awareness of the power of group processes and group dynamics Individuals being encouraged to engage in meaningful and real dialogues with their colleagues, and
A more balanced marriage between task, team and individual
This would lead to far greater productivity and job satisfaction
What is special about Praxis?
The eclectic mix of specialists who all share a burning passion for awareness, growth and creativity.
Why does the programme you teach at Praxis matter in business?
The programmes are effective because they challenge participants to be courageous and contribute of their ‘unique’ self. This improves the quality of their relationship with themselves and with everyone else. It also in turn enables those around them to behave similarly. Better relationships = better business!
The programmes start the ball rolling at every level within the organisation and beyond.
How would you describe your teaching style?
Direct, informal and highly participative.
My role as an organisational psychologist has typically involved:-
Designing and facilitating bespoke management development programmes for clients. The sessions vary from 1 to 8 day modular programmes and some have continued for more than 7 years. Clients have included Cable and Wireless, BT, Toyota, CEDR, Scottish Provident, KPMG, Bacon and Woodrow, Aer Lingus and numerous City law firms.
Presenting at conferences for statutory bodies such as the Law Society as well as for key clients such as the Bank of Ireland and ICI
Providing an on-going non-executive director type role such as when advising ICI on the development of it’s legal team or when working with a client to help recruit or develop it’s people
Supporting and enabling a successful change management programme such as the firm wide IT change management programme for Davies Arnold Cooper
Facilitating small groups by providing specific development learning or by more generally increasing the level of awareness within the group
Education and Qualifications
Bachelor of Civil Law, University College Dublin, 1980
Solicitor, The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, 1984
Solicitor, The Law Society of England & Wales, 1990
MSc (distinction) Organisational Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, 1993
Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts Manufactures & Commerce 1995
Mediator, Centre for Dispute Resolution, 1996
British Psychological Society`s Certificate of Competence in Occuational Testing (Level B
Intermediate Plus) (includes Myers Briggs and 16F), Oxford Psychologists Press 2007
Ongoing study in group processes at the Institute of Group Analysis