Interview: Applied Psychology in the Workplace

Professor Dr Schleidt, what motivated you to write the book *Applied Psychology in the Workplace* – was there a gap you wanted to fill?

Bettina Schleidt: I am convinced that psychological skills will be just as important in future as technical expertise. In traditional STEM or engineering degree programmes, psychological content has so far usually been taught either not at all or only marginally. Graduates possess excellent technical know-how, but often receive no systematic training in topics such as leadership, motivation, communication, teamwork, decision-making or change management. Yet it is precisely these skills that are crucial in their future working lives.

Companies therefore often invest considerable resources in developing these skills retrospectively through further training or management development programmes. In my view, it would be far more sustainable if the fundamentals of psychology were taught whilst students are still at university. After all, technical innovations do not arise in isolation – they are developed by people, implemented in teams and must be accepted and utilised by other people.

That is why I am committed to integrating business and occupational psychology skills more closely into technical degree programmes. Anyone who develops technology should also understand how people make decisions, how change processes succeed and how successful collaboration works. It is precisely this combination of technology and psychology that will be a crucial factor in a company’s success in the future.

What significance does business psychology hold today – particularly for companies and managers – and which skills will be in particularly high demand in the future?

Bettina Schleidt: Business psychology is more important today than ever before. Companies are facing far-reaching changes driven by digitalisation, skills shortages, hybrid working arrangements and demographic change. Successful organisations therefore require not only technological expertise, but above all psychological expertise. Business psychology helps, amongst other things, to motivate staff, successfully manage change processes, effectively align leadership and create working conditions that promote good health.

At the same time, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation and global collaboration mean that the demands placed on employees – and ultimately on entire job profiles – are constantly evolving and changing. However, what we refer to today as ‘future skills’ is more than simply an extension of an existing catalogue of skills. 

Rather, skills are constantly evolving in line with technological, social and economic developments. Specialist knowledge remains important, as does lifelong learning. However, skills such as critical thinking, the ability to make decisions under uncertainty, adaptability, what might seem like traditional communication and cooperation skills, self-regulation, and a reflective and critical approach to new technologies are also increasingly in demand.

Which aspects of your book are also reflected in your teaching at SRH University?

Bettina Schleidt: Many of the book’s topics form an integral part of my courses, such as staff development, coaching, (human resources) leadership, teamwork, organisational development and change management. It is particularly important to me that students not only understand the content theoretically, but are also able to critically reflect on and apply it using real-life case studies, projects and discussions – including through the use of AI, but above all by applying common sense.

How do your students benefit from you incorporating the latest research and practical insights directly into your courses?

Bettina Schleidt: Students gain insights into current academic developments whilst learning how these are implemented in organisations. This enables them to develop a deeper understanding of complex issues and acquire skills that they can apply immediately in their future professional practice.

This approach also has a personal background. When I was a student myself, I had a solid theoretical foundation upon graduating from university. I was familiar with models, theories and scientific concepts – but I only had to work out how this knowledge could be applied in practice within companies as I progressed in my career. At the time, I lacked a systematic transition from academia to practice.

That is precisely why, in our degree programme today, we place great emphasis on our students developing both: a sound academic understanding and the ability to apply psychological insights to real-world issues. Through practical projects, case studies, corporate partnerships and application-oriented teaching methods, they learn, even whilst still studying, to translate academic knowledge into concrete professional action.

What opportunities do you see for future engineers and other technical professionals in integrating psychological knowledge into their studies?

Bettina Schleidt: They will continue to work in interdisciplinary teams and under complex conditions, and will need leadership, communication and project management skills alongside their technical expertise. Those who understand psychological principles and are able to apply them can lead teams more successfully, resolve conflicts constructively, manage change and align innovations more closely with people’s needs. This creates a clear competitive advantage, for example.

In my view, the aim of a degree programme is not merely to train experts in a specialist field. Rather, it is about empowering people to apply their knowledge responsibly, to develop continuously, to remain healthy and productive, and to play an active role in shaping the world of work. This is precisely where business psychology can make a decisive contribution.

What is it about business psychology that still fascinates you personally today?

Bettina Schleidt: I am fascinated by the link between scientific research and its direct personal and societal relevance. Business psychology enables us to better understand human behaviour whilst developing concrete solutions for organisations and employees. I find it particularly exciting that the discipline is constantly evolving.

And why would you recommend that prospective students explore this field?

Bettina Schleidt: Because business psychology offers excellent career prospects and is a very versatile subject. Anyone interested in people, organisations and economic issues will find here the opportunity to combine academic insights with practical application. Graduates make an important contribution to making workplaces more successful, healthier and more people-centred.

Thank you very much for the interview!