The emphasis psychologists place on understanding the common humanity of people from all backgrounds also lays the foundation for a unique yet effective approach to leadership.
At Amnesty International Morocco, Soufiane Atrassi, who holds a degree in clinical psychology, leads the country’s local office and is developing a series of psychology-informed training sessions to help staffers within his section handle challenges they face in the field, such as verbal abuse.
“These trainings are valuable as they work on our emotional intelligence and our assertiveness,” Atrassi said. “They help us better manage these complex situations and remain professional and effective in our work.”
Recent years have also seen an increase in psychologists seeking international consulting roles, said Ryan Warner, PhD, a counseling psychologist, full-time consultant, and member of APA Division 13 (Society of Consulting Psychology). After working as a clinician in the U.S. Air Force, Warner launched a consulting company to help guide international organizations with strengthening leadership, diversity, and wellness in the workplace. At the UN, he coaches appointed diplomats and senior leaders on public speaking and other skills related to leadership development.
“A lot of these diplomats just jumped into their role—they really didn’t have any formal training around how to be a professional speaker communicating to a global audience on a daily basis,” he said.
Jackson said her psychology training has helped her find common ground among diverse stakeholders at the UN, where she works on antiracism and mental health learning and development resources. But that role has also required her to rethink what she knows about mental health, including everything from symptoms, treatment, and stigma to licensing and continuing education.
For example, isolating is a common symptom of depression, but it might look different in a country where most people place a higher emphasis on collectivism. A person who lives with seven other family members may still attend family dinners, but—assuming they are not responsible for meal preparation and serving—do so less frequently. That could be a sign of distress that a psychologist trained on Western views of depression could miss, Jackson said.
“In the U.S., we have a very rigid understanding of mental health. But if we check our assumptions, what does mental health look like outside of those rigid parameters?” she said.
In government, psychological training affords a new view on policy and governance that can foster improved cooperation, inclusion, and decision-making. Psychologist Sergio Cristancho, PhD, served a 2-year term as Colombia’s vice minister of knowledge, innovation, and productivity, where he designed national policies and regulations related to science, technology, and innovation; led the creation of the country’s first National Scientific Council; and internationally represented the country’s scientific interests, including bioeconomy/biodiversity, food and health sovereignty, energy transition, and peace.
During his time in office, Cristancho helped shape Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines on citizen engagement in innovation policy. He also developed national policy tools that enabled universities, regional governments, industry groups, and communities to use scientific research to address the diverse social and economic priorities of Colombia’s 32 states and their diverse populations.
Cristancho, who now leads research and innovation at the Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, said his psychology training has helped him foster dialogue and co-creation among diverse groups, from underserved Indigenous and migrant communities to scientific experts from various fields. Lessons learned from his policy work have subsequently informed his research program on community and intercultural mental health.
“I also found that training in the scientific method gives us the capacity to use a systematic approach to solving complex problems,” he said. “The fact that we give a lot of weight to evidence allows us to bring a high level of rigor and quality to administration and leadership roles.”
link