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The Psychology of Fear in Organizations

The Psychology of Fear in Organizations How to Transform Anxiety into Well-being, Productivity and Innovation

Author: Sheila Keegan
Publisher: Kogan Page
ISBN: 9780749472542
Published In: February 2015
Format: Paperback , 288 pages
Jurisdiction: International ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

List Price: HKD 250.00

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In the context of global economic recession, fear has become institutionalized in many organizations, both in the private and public sectors. Board directors are under pressure from shareholders, senior executives are attempting to maintain sales in a nervous market and many people are concerned about job security and maintaining their living standards. This book shows how fear manifests itself in large organizations, how it impacts on the workforce and how by reducing our willingness to take risks and to innovate, it can inhibit economic growth and innovation, at both an individual and corporate level. The Psychology of Fear in Organizations examines the psychological barriers to innovation and presents initiatives to loosen the paralysis caused by the economic downturn.
Dr Sheila Keegan is a Chartered Psychologist and has a doctorate in Organisational Change. In 1983, she co-founded Campbell Keegan Ltd, a business psychology consultancy working in the private and public sectors. An organisational consultant and qualitative researcher for more than 25 years, she helps clients in the private and public sectors to make better decisions in the areas of business strategy, social policy and organisational change management. She is a Fellow of the Market Research Society and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Sheila Keegan provides a wide-ranging and incisive treatment of this very taboo subject. She questions many current organization practices, including goal setting, and shows how these can easily result in fear and dysfunctional performance. The practice approaches she provides for reducing fear in organizations will provide real value to managers and HR professionals alike.
Michael Wellin, Chartered Psychologist, and Director at Business Transformation consultants

This book should be read by everyone who has anything to do with managing organizations. It is soundly based in history, the literature and personal experience. Keegan not only describes and explains the increase of fear in organizations but also suggests how to reduce it so that everyone can be happier and more productive.
Emeritus Professor Malcolm Harper, Cranfield University

Whatever the root of fear at the workplace, high-quality leadership-which sees employees as humans, trusts them to be professional and empowers them- seems to be necessary to ensure that such fear does not compromise innovation and productivity. I hope that leaders of academic/corporate organizations read this book and ponder about the environments they are creating at the workplace.
Professor Ranjini Swamy, Goa Institute of Management