In the complex world of commerce, family businesses stand apart, not just as economic entities, but as ideals of generational dreams, emotional ties, and identity. Yet this very intimacy often harbors a hidden psychological risk: role confusion. This phenomenon, where the lines of familial and professional identities blur, poses a major challenge to leadership, succession, and organizational harmony. I. Where …
Parental Identity Spillover: When Parenting Styles Bleed into Leadership Behavior
Leadership in the workplace is often treated as a domain governed by formal training, corporate norms, and individual personality. Yet, a growing body of research suggests that leaders are not insulated from the roles they play in their personal lives—particularly that of a parent. This phenomenon, referred to as parental identity spillover, describes how parenting styles subtly influence, and sometimes …
The Psychology of Returning Parents: Identity Disruption, Role Re-entry, and Occupational Recalibration
Returning to work after parental leave is more than a logistical transition—it is a profound psychological journey that reshapes identities, redefines roles, and recalibrates career aspirations. For many parents, the shift from caregiving to professional responsibilities brings a complex interplay of emotions, from excitement and ambition to anxiety and self-doubt. This article explores the psychology of returning parents through three …
From Parent to Partner: Unconscious Blueprints in Romantic Selection
Ever looked at your partner and wondered why I chose him? Or what part of me thought dating her would be a good idea? Maybe in a moment of insecurity you thought, why would someone like this choose someone like me? Or in a moment of pure bliss, you thanked God for helping you find your soulmate. Well it seems, …
Occupational Leadership Role as Symbolic Parenting: Boundary Management in Work Relationships
We do not typically consider our supervisors to be our parents, and to be honest, most leaders would not desire that title. But there is a growing recognition in leadership psychology that occupational leadership often mirrors symbolic parenting, like leaders nurturing their juniors, guiding, setting limits, and managing emotional situations in the workplace. This idea becomes particularly pertinent while examining …
The Psychological Precarity of Semi-Employed Workers
As a HR recruiter with experience in hiring psychology interns, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles of semi-employed workers. Interns, freelancers, project-hoppers, and short-term contract workers face unique challenges that can take a toll on their mental health and well-being (Tompa et al., 2007). This article explores the concept of psychological precarity in semi-employed workers, its causes, and its consequences. What …
The Perfectionism Trap: How High-Functioning Anxiety Affects Performance
In an achievement-oriented world like that of today, people tend to fall frequently into the trap of perfectionism—a pattern of unrealistic expectations accompanied by an intense fear of failure. High standards and attention to detail could encourage success, but when perfection becomes an obligatory requirement, it may generate a more subliminal challenge: high-functioning anxiety (HFA). High-functioning anxiety is a condition …
Mentorship as Strategy: Engaging Gen Z and Building a Future-Ready Workforce
The word “mentor” comes from the character Mentor in Homer’s Odyssey. With time, the word mentor has been used to refer to someone who is a guide and educator and the notion of mentorship has always been used in positive connotations. The definition of a mentoring relation has been expanded to a “professional, working alliance in which individuals work together …
Mentorship Programs: Supporting Graduates in Their Career Journey
Graduation is often painted as a grand finale – an end to years of hard work. But for many, it feels less like a finish line and more like the first page of a very unfamiliar chapter. There’s excitement, sure, but also a bit of fear, a lot of questions, and the strange feeling of being both ready and completely …
The Fear of Making the Wrong Choice: Addressing Career Indecision
Career indecision is a common yet deeply distressing experience, particularly among adolescents and young adults facing pivotal life transitions. Rooted in both psychological and environmental factors, the fear of making the wrong career choice can lead to prolonged anxiety, decreased self-esteem, and even clinical levels of distress. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of this fear is essential for developing effective interventions. …