Business Psychologist Competency Framework

A desire to identify and meet the needs of the client that represents value for money. Focusing on meeting the needs of the client beyond those initially expressed.

• Is able to work with the client to identify discrepancies between current and future desired states.
• Is able to develop a contract with the client in order to establish goals and outcomes and identifies criteria for achievement.
• Is able to conduct an assessment to determine the client’s values, visions, challenges and sensitivities to change and clarifies all roles and responsibilities.
• Presents data clearly, simply and in a ‘user-friendly’ manner to the client.
• Ensures the solution is aligned with the organisation’s goals and objectives.

Understanding a situation by breaking it apart into its constituents and tracing the implications of a situation in a step-by-step manner. Analytical thinking is used in logical planning, problem solving, prioritization, comparing data and identifying causal relationships.

• Is able to apply theoretical models and analyze data from different sources to develop a solution or conclusion.
• Is able to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information and cuts through to key issues.
• Generates new approaches and methodologies to reach a solution.
• Probes hidden cause to gain a thorough understanding of the issues and does not accept data at face value.
• Is able to apply new research findings to develop a solution.

Building strong working relationships with the client & maintaining professional conduct.

• Adheres to the Code of Conduct as determined by the Psychological Societies of which the psychologist is a full member, e.g., The Hong Kong Psychological Society, The Singapore Psychological Society, The Australian Psychological Society, The American Psychological Association, The British Psychological Society.
• Is able to determine who the client is and build rapport with them.
• Is able to develop an understanding of the language of the client and to pitch their communication so as to build relationships.
• Offers a service which is value for money to the client.
• Maintains the interests of the individual.

Generating solutions or conclusions that meet the goals and objectives of the business without compromising the needs and objectives of the individual.

• Is able to prioritise issues in terms of expected impact and ease of implementation to the organisation and individual.
• Is able to evaluate interventions in terms of the value-added to the organization.
• Considers both the needs of the individual and the organization in interventions.
• Can identify issues and presents alternatives utilising business/organisational principles.
• Demonstrates an understanding of different business/organization environments.

A knowledge and expertise of  Business Psychology in the 8 areas defined by the British Psychological Society.

• Selection & Assessment
• Training
• Organisational Development
• Design of Environments and of Work
• Human-Machine Interaction
• Performance Appraisal & Counselling
• Employee Relations & Motivation
• Career Development

In addition, the PsyAsia’s Business Psychologists must be able to apply this knowledge and expertise with local sensitivity based on an in-depth understanding of the various Asian cultures and business organisations within which we work.

In addition to the competencies in the competency model, PsyAsia International’s Business Psychologists are expected to be fully up-to-date with developments in Business Psychology to ensure that we are training, consulting and practicing cutting-edge, reliable and valid processes. This is a factor which often distinguishes us from our competitors.

To this end, our Business Psychologists must undertake at least 50 hours of CPD per year – this includes attending relevant top-up training, reading of recent journal articles, attending conferences, reviewing conference paper submissions, supervising trainee Psychologists and supervision, coaching and feedback from peers.