Name
M. Peter Scontrino
Position/Employer
Senior Consultant, Scontrino-Powell, Inc.
How long have you been a SIOP member?
54 years, current SIOP Fellow
What roles have you had within SIOP?
Committee chair, task force member, workshop seminar presenter
Interest area(s)
Performance management, change management, application of lean concepts, employee engagement
What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
I attended graduate school at Michigan State. All of the faculty were members of Division 14. They were my role models. I was excited when SIOP began to hold annual conferences that gave me a chance to interact with friends and professionals. So far, I have attended every SIOP Annual Conference.
What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
Helping leaders understand how to bring change to their organizations using employee engagement as a powerful tool. I have personally seen meaningful employee engagement transform organizations.
What work trends are you seeing and hearing about and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact these trends?
Obviously, the impact of AI on so many of the things we do. We can use our expertise to show how AI can be used effectively. I find that leaders continue to struggle with the question of how to engage their employees (with a minimum amount of effort). Often, I see leaders seeking simple solutions to complex human resource problems. We can do a better job of showing the cost benefit of the work that we do.
What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
Our clients expect us to have superb speaking skills and writing skills. They expect us to have a good understanding of how their business operates. They want us to be able to understand a balance sheet. They want us to translate science with recommendations they can use. Read Gary Latham’s book, Becoming the Evidence-Based Manager. Take a personal interest in your client and demonstrate that your work is your passion and not just a job to perform.
What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?
Staffing the booth for the Local I-O Group Relations Committee and seeing all of the interest in creating and/or participating in a local I-O group.
Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
I am a commercial pilot and helicopter flight instructor. I like to travel and have visited 63 countries.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Both Michigan State University and SIOP have given me so many powerful tools to share with my clients. They have helped me help leaders to create significant changes in their organizations.
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