Phiona Martin is an award-winning Organisational Psychologist, Career Coach, and Thought Leader in the field of Talent Management and Career Development. Her corporate and consulting work experience includes developing global leadership programs for executives and overseeing talent management initiatives such as succession planning and high potential employee accelerators. Phiona has also worked with employability programs across Africa, developing services that facilitated workplace transitions for graduates and young professionals. She is passionate about helping people transition to gainful employment, enhance employability and navigate various career intersections. As a thought leader, Phiona provides regular expert opinions on Career Development as the resident organisational psychologist on The Morning Show, a national TV program on e.tv and is also a regular feature on other television and radio programs.
What attracted you to Organisational Psychology?
I have always been attracted to the field of psychology, but I also knew I wanted to be in a corporate setting solving workplace challenges. Organisational psychology is the perfect intersection of this – applying principles of psychology to the work environment. Since day one of university, I always felt home with my studies and have not looked back.
How do you define success?
I consider myself a passion-preneur and success for me has been the ability to solve the problems that are close to my heart for a living. It is a purpose driven career and when you can achieve that, it is very fulfilling. In the same vein, not everyone is able to pursue their passion for a living and it is ok to have your passion as a hobby while doing a job that pays the bills, if what you love may be difficult to commercialize or make a living out of. We are also in an era of subjective career success, where success is not defined by “one size fits all” standards but it’s very personal. How one person views and defines success can differ from another person’s definition and I love that it has become a subjective process, to an extent, that does not only have to look at traditional and external factors like job title, your place in a hierarchy but what an individual values at a personal level.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
Passing my board exams was definitely one as it was my dream to be a registered organizational psychologist. In 2020 I was recognized by the Society of Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa and received an award in recognition for the impact I have made in the career development space.
In the world of #winning. How do you handle failure?
Self-compassion and my anti-perfectionism mantra “good enough” have certainly been of great help. As a (recovering) perfectionist, I internalize failures a lot and feel anything less than perfect is not good enough. I have however taken on the mantra of “good enough” to stop myself from feeling I have to over-perform on every little task. Self-compassion, offering myself the same kindness and compassion that I do to others when they fail has been very liberating.
What are your thoughts on Mentorship?
Mentorship is an invaluable tool in one’s career – at any stage of your journey you are likely to find having one as very useful. Mentors are basically individuals that have excelled or that are exemplary in an area you want to pursue. Mentors have helped me navigate critical career intersections, challenge my thinking, have a broader and more strategic view, act a sounding board and have given me good feedback and guidance along the way. You can have multiple mentors for multiple goals, and it is a great development tool if you want to accelerate your growth and learn from someone who has done it before you.
Quick this and that:
3 books that changed your life.
The Bible
Purpose driven live
Good morning Holy Spirit (Benny Hinn)
Favourite way to unwind
Recently taken up adult colouring and it is a great way to unwind
3 Apps you cannot function without
Calendar
Zoom
WhatsApp
Best part of your day
Resting from work (this doesn’t always happen)
Self-compassion, offering myself the same kindness and compassion that I do to others when they fail has been very liberating.
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