As the business world moves faster, the need for leadership experts in psychology is rapidly increasing. Organizations face technological disruptions and changing workforce dynamics, making effective leadership essential for success. Psychologists in this field blend soft skills and strategic insights, guiding companies through complex transitions and enhancing overall performance. They leverage their understanding of human behavior to transform theoretical concepts into actionable strategies, helping organizations adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin, the Founder and Director of Leadership Mavericks Ltd. (part of the Leadership Psychology Institute), exemplifies this expertise with her distinguished 25-year track record in management consulting. Her extensive experience and strong business foundation make her a valuable resource for organizations aiming to improve their leadership capabilities. As a specialist in Leadership Psychology, Team Dynamics, HR Consulting, and Executive Coaching, Dr. Maria helps organizations tackle challenges and foster a strong leadership culture to excel in today’s business landscape.
Path to Leadership
Originally from Greece, Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin spent her formative years in Lagos, Nigeria, where she attended a German school until the age of 13. Currently, she resides and works in the Northwest of England, proudly holding British citizenship. Dr. Maria often begins with this introduction because of her multicultural background. This background, which presented numerous challenges during her childhood and adolescence, has profoundly shaped her perspective on the world and leadership today.
Her career spans two significant chapters: many years in Human Resources across various organizations and countries, and a personal crisis in 2003 that opened doors of coaching and psychology. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her corporate journey. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Dr. Maria went back to school for psychology and executive coaching, earning her Doctorate in Leadership Psychology in Boston, MA. With her additional training in psychotherapy, she gained a deeper insight into human behavior, which she incorporated into her leadership development programs.
A Journey of Transformation
The Leadership Psychology Institute (LPI) officially launched in 2007, but it was a vision Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin had been developing for years. Inspired by her father’s risk-taking attitude, she always dreamed of creating something uniquely her own. In 2003, she began working toward this goal, embarking on a journey filled with challenges and triumphs.
As Learning Experience Architects, LPI bridges the gap between the art and science of leadership psychology. The organization specializes in various offerings, including Leadership and Management Development Programs, Group Dynamics for Senior Teams and Boards, and diagnosing and changing organizational culture. Furthermore, it includes HR outsourcing, development centers, and coaching solutions for both individuals and teams.
In 2009, LPI introduced the “Coaching For Change” certificate program, which is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF-USA). With a global presence in countries such as the UK, Luxembourg, Denmark, France, the USA, and Greece, LPI is dedicated to supporting individuals around the world in crafting their leadership stories and fostering impactful leadership experiences.
Leading the Mind
Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin has envisioned a community that bridges Leadership, Psychology, and Neuroscience, providing valuable resources to the business sector. She emphasizes the importance of this mission in her work, saying, “After over 17 years of dedicated work, our vision has evolved into a clear mission: as Learning Experience Architects, we bridge the gap between the art and science of leadership psychology, aiming to support individuals around the globe in crafting their unique leadership stories.”
International Service Provider
Leadership Psychology Institute (LPI) is headquartered in the UK, with its office located in Manchester, but it provides services worldwide across various countries. Its diverse clientele includes prominent names such as Nike, PWC, Marks & Spencer, AstraZeneca, and Coca-Cola HBC (Preferred Supplier). Other notable clients include the European Investment Fund (EIF), Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda, Gilead, Chiesi, AMGEN, LeasePlan/Ayvens, and Iberdrola. The company serves clients like Mediamarkt, Dixons, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Chartis, Japan Tobacco International (JTI), British American Tobacco (BAT), S&B Imerys, CSL Behring, and Vodafone. Additionally, it serves clients like Kylashipping, ELVAL & Viohalco Group, DESFA (National Natural Gas System Operator), EverythingEverywhere (EE), Swarovski, Adidas, and many others.
Digital Leadership Development
Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin holds a personal belief that she and her team must avoid becoming obsolete in their fields. Staying updated on developments, particularly in technology, is crucial as it plays a pivotal role in enhancing learning experiences and expanding their reach. They leverage online platforms to deliver training modules, allowing participants to access resources and lessons from anywhere in the world. Interactive tools, such as collaborative workspaces, promote real-time engagement and group discussions, essential for developing leadership skills.
Additionally, they utilize data analytics to assess participant progress and tailor content to individual learning needs. AI-driven simulations provide hands-on leadership challenges, enabling participants to practice decision-making in a risk-free environment. This combination of technology ensures their training is accessible, highly personalized, and dynamic. Moreover, they collaborate with strategic partners specializing in blended learning formats to develop large-scale programs like Leadership Academies.
Navigating the Startup Maze
Starting a business is an exciting journey filled with challenges, especially during the initial phase, which often feels like an emotional roller coaster. Entrepreneurs find themselves making seemingly minor decisions, like choosing a font for their website, and strategic choices, such as identifying their target audience. Each decision, big or small, shapes the path to their ultimate success.
- Defining a Niche and Expertise
While Dr. Maria had a clear vision, she needed to narrow it down to a specific niche and area of expertise. She was determined to avoid a “supermarket approach” of offering any consulting service. This required balancing her perceived strengths and passions with market needs while also keeping an eye on the competition.
- Building a Client Base
Establishing a client base proved particularly challenging for Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin, as networking and attending conferences were not her strong suits. Feeling like an outsider in such situations, she realized the need to establish credibility and a solid client portfolio. To overcome this, Dr. Maria leveraged her small existing network and capitalized on her writing skills. She wrote articles for various industry magazines on topics that would resonate with her target audience. Additionally, she utilized social media over the past decade to bridge the gap created by her introverted nature.
- Balancing Client Work and Business Development
This remains one of Maria’s biggest challenges. Many entrepreneurs don’t realize that two crucial aspects must be addressed for success: being an effective practitioner and running a business. Skill sets are vital for a business’s survival, yet they are rarely found at equal levels in one individual. Dr. Maria learned this lesson through trial and error, and she was fortunate to find a mentor who taught her how to manage a business effectively. The sooner entrepreneurs recognize their strengths, the better their chances of success. If they lack expertise in a particular area, teaming up with someone who has different skills can be a game-changer.
Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Navigating the entrepreneurial landscape can be daunting, but valuable insights can guide aspiring business leaders toward success. Dr. Maria Katsarou-Makin shares her hard-earned lessons, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and building a strong support network. These key principles can help entrepreneurs overcome challenges and thrive in their ventures.
- Embrace Failure as Growth: Setbacks provide essential lessons. Don’t let fear of failure hold you back; see it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Learning, adapting, and moving forward with greater wisdom and resilience are key.
- Stay Passionate, but Be Flexible: Passion fuels the entrepreneurial spirit, but it’s important to remain adaptable. Markets and circumstances change, and entrepreneurs should be willing to pivot their approaches as needed.
- Surround Yourself with the Right People: Building a strong support system of mentors, advisors, and like-minded individuals is crucial. Success in entrepreneurship is rarely a solo journey; it thrives on collaboration and learning from others.
- Keep Solving Problems: Concentrating on authentic problems faced by individuals is vital. The most successful businesses are built on addressing needs and improving lives.
- Be Relentless in Execution: While ideas hold value, execution is paramount. Entrepreneurs should maintain discipline, focus, and consistency, as small daily steps lead to significant breakthroughs.
- Take Care of Yourself: The demands of entrepreneurship can be overwhelming. It’s important to prioritize mental and physical health because a healthy mind and body help entrepreneurs handle challenges better.
- Think Big, Start Small: Having bold visions is important, but taking small, manageable steps toward those goals is crucial. Each step builds momentum and brings entrepreneurs closer to their larger aspirations. Staying curious, persistent, and open to learning can lead to great achievements ahead!
