Lisa Cramp

I have been working as a psychologist for nearly 30 years and during that time I have always been involved in assessment and development. More than 20 years of my career was spent with SHL, the international test publisher, where I was involved in developing psychometric tests, designing and delivering training programmes. I also undertook consultancy projects such as competency design, assessment and development centres and of course advising companies on how to implement good assessment practices.

As SHL grew, I took on first management and later executive roles, eventually becoming Managing Director of SHL UK, the flagship business in the Group and also with responsibility for several other businesses in Ireland, the Far East and South Africa. I was closely involved with the development of on-line testing, and with defining the international product development strategy for the Group. As a member of the Board of a public company I was involved in investor relations and due diligence as well as in leadership and governance.

The combination of my psychological background and executive experience stimulated a deep interest in the area of leadership – how it evolves, and how it can be shaped and developed for the mutual benefit of the individual and the organisation. I have first hand experience of trying to develop as a good leader and the challenges of doing a good job in a leadership role.

Since leaving SHL six years ago I have been working as a consultant in leadership assessment and development – helping individuals to understand and develop their leadership capabilities and potential in the context of what the business requires. This often involves an individual assessment of capability and potential, or sometimes a more workshop oriented approach where people can explore and identify their own strengths and development needs. Sometimes this work feeds in to decisions about promotion, potential, or a new role in a changing organisation. Sometimes it results in further development activities such as coaching or training.

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work for many great and well known organisations, such as Tesco, Astra Zeneca, E.ON, UBS, Deutsche Bank and BP. But I have also worked for small businesses too, helping them to address the challenges they face as they grow, working with private equity investors to help to shape and develop the company’s leadership talent.

Although I am based in London, this work has taken me overseas, to Italy, Germany and to the Middle East, where I have worked with businesses in Jordan and Oman, helping them to benchmark and develop leadership talent in very different cultural and economic circumstances. The great thing about my work is that as well as making a difference to people and organisations, I continue to learn and develop my own understanding of leadership all the time, and this reinforces my belief in the central importance of leadership to organisations everywhere.