Freer to Be Me

Lyons, D. (2000, August). Freer to Be Me: The Development of Executives at Mid-life. Invited address given at the National Convention of the American Psychological Association.

Winner of the 1999 RHR International Doctoral Dissertation Award from Division 13 of the American Psychological Association.

Winner of the 1999 RHR International Doctoral Dissertation Award from Division 13 of the American Psychological Association.

This presentation describes a study of 8 senior executives who participated in a rigorous executive development process that includes 360-degree feedback from colleagues and family members. The study aimed to shed light on this practice of executive development by conducting an in-depth examination of the clients’ experience of the process. In addition, the study assessed the degree to which these executives showed evidence of individuation, which is the developmental task that Jung associated with mid-life. Personal interviews and the Thematic Apperception Test were the primary methods used for data collection. The study suggested that executives have the potential to benefit, personally and professionally, from participation in this kind of development, at least as they see it.

Download slides: FreerToBeMe(Lyons).pdf

Filed under: Conference Presentations

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