Episode Details

What happens when success no longer feels quite right?

In this episode of People Soup, Ross speaks with organisational psychologist, consultant and author Dr Joanne Gray.

Joe shares the story of a major career transition that took her from a senior corporate leadership role into the world of business psychology and consulting. Along the way, she reflects on the warning signs she experienced, the role of values in shaping career decisions, and the moment she realised something had to change.

The conversation then explores Joe's work on workplace proactivity – what it really means, why organisations often struggle to create the conditions for it, and how leaders can unintentionally shut it down.

You'll also hear a simple and practical framework that can help us think about taking action when something matters.

In this episode

• Joanne's journey from corporate leadership to organisational psychology
• Recognising the signs of exhaustion and burnout
• What happens when workplace culture no longer aligns with your values
• Why proactivity is more than simply being helpful
• The difference between reactive and proactive work
• Why proactivity can sometimes become another workplace demand
• The Can Do, Reason To, Energised To framework
• Leadership, psychological safety and fairness
• Joanne's walk-on music choice

A question to reflect on

When you're considering a change, taking initiative or speaking up, ask yourself:

• Can I do it?
• Do I have a reason to do it?
• Do I have the energy to do it?

Walk-on Music

Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) – Rozalla

People Soup: Real conversations about work, leadership, and being human — grounded in behavioural science, with practical ideas you can actually use.

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• Find Joe on Instagram
• The Progress Lab | We’re on a mission to make workplaces work better, helping people & organisations unleash their potential.
• Connect with Joe on LinkedIn
• Joe's Book - Powering Workplace Proactivity

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