Organizational Sherlocks, a Business Psychology podcast

In this thought-provoking episode of Organizational Sherlocks, Elizabeth puts Morgan on the spot with an engaging discussion of performance management theories and how they play out in real-world organizations. From SMART goal-setting and feedback best practices to reward systems and systemic diagnostics, the duo breaks down classic and contemporary models like Goal Setting Theory, Expectancy Theory, Feedback Intervention Theory, and Systemic Performance Improvement. Tune in to hear how these theories come to life in the workplace—and what happens when things go off script.

In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, hosts Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth dive into the complexities of performance management and corrective action in the workplace. Blending psychological insight with business practicality, they explore common challenges like misalignment, employee resistance, and the impact of a volatile job market. The duo outlines essential steps in the corrective action process, from verbal warnings to termination. While emphasizing documentation, legal considerations, and the role of leadership curiosity. Whether you’re an HR professional or a team leader, this episode offers practical tools for fostering accountability and driving organizational alignment.

In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, we’re joined by Christian and Nick, the minds behind Personos—an AI-driven platform transforming how organizations assess personality and coach talent. We dig into how Personos blends psychological science with artificial intelligence to decode workplace behaviors, optimize development, and reimagine what it means to “know thy team.” Whether you're an I/O psychologist, coach, or curious leader, this episode will get you thinking about the next frontier in personality and performance.

This week, Morgan & Elizabeth discuss breaking down people development into bite-size, more digestable pieces of information. Your hosts give glimpses of examples within what they have experienced or witnessed, explaining how introducing one concept at a time instead of a mass training of theories and possibilities improves the impression the teachings make. Enhance people development with microlearnings, illuminating, connecting, and reinforcing modalities with hard education, experience, and coaching.

(Replay) In this episode, we’re joined by Rob McKenna, founder of Wild Leaders, to explore how trust functions as a vital tool in the workplace. In this episode we attempt to understand the core drivers of trust to help build stronger, more cohesive teams, Rob offers deep insights into fostering authentic connections and empowering leadership. We also discuss the Wild Trust Index, a powerful tool for assessing trust at personal and organizational levels, and learn practical strategies to elevate trust in your workplace. Tune in to transform your understanding of trust as a critical component of organizational success.

This week on Organizational Sherlocks, Elizabeth and Morgan dive into the complexities of organizational change, discussing how leaders can foster buy-in through proactive communication, employee involvement, and continuous feedback. They explore why resistance to change occurs and share strategies like empowering change champions and leveraging multiple communication modalities. From performance management to psychological safety, this episode examines how organizations can navigate transitions more effectively by focusing on the human experience.

In this episode of the Organizational Sherlocks podcast, hosts Elizabeth Fleming and Morgan Ashworth explore the significance of continuous learning and microlearning for both personal and professional development. They delve into how these concepts play a crucial role in career transitions and help address skill gaps within organizations. Highlighting examples like Morgan's IP training and diverse assessment methods to identify leadership skill gaps, they emphasize the importance of challenging assumptions, embracing a growth mindset, admitting mistakes, and fostering problem-solving in the workplace.

In this episode of Organizational Sherlocks, we are joined by Robert Elliott of GBMP who discusses how Lean Manufacturing principles, often associated with factories, can be applied to any business—whether it's in healthcare, tech, or finance. Lean is not just about process improvement; it's a mindset that encourages efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement. Elliott shares how Value Stream Mapping, waste elimination, and Lean leadership foster a culture of innovation and accountability. This episode highlights how embracing Lean beyond manufacturing leads to sustainable success in diverse industries.

In this episode of Organizational sherlocks, we explore the necessity of continuous learning in a rapidly evolving workforce. They discuss how professionals navigate career shifts and emphasize staying updated with emerging trends. The conversation highlights microlearning as a strategy for addressing skill gaps efficiently. We also examine the role of assessments and skill gapping in leadership preparation, advocating for tailored training approaches. Throughout, this episode we share our insights on curiosity and adaptability as key drivers of professional growth.

For this exciting episode, we welcome Elizabeth, our co-host and founder of Apidae Consulting, to discuss the critical role of employee assessments in aligning individual aspirations with organizational objectives. Elizabeth shares her holistic approach to leadership development and retention, emphasizing the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of employees beyond traditional metrics. The conversation delves into the nuances of assertiveness, the significance of psychological safety, and the impact of effective onboarding processes. Elizabeth also highlights the pitfalls of seeking a one-size-fits-all assessment tool and underscores the necessity of tailored strategies to foster genuine employee engagement and organizational success.