From Psychometrics to AI: The Future of Work with Peter Dakin

In this episode of Mastering Tech Growth, host Mike interviews Peter Dakin, a behavioural assessment expert. They talk about the world of psychometrics, discussing how understanding human behaviour can revolutionise team dynamics and personal growth. From the origins of Promana People to the future of AI, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the importance of self-awareness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Promana People offers a digital platform with psychometric assessments to help individuals, coaches, and organisations understand and improve human behaviour.
• The "catalyst" or "disturber" behaviour is crucial for tech startups, as it drives innovation and disruption in the market.
• Understanding observable behaviour is more effective and authentic than personality-based assessments for improving team dynamics and individual performance.
• The concept of "endurance" may be more positive and goal-oriented than "resilience" when discussing stress management and personal growth.
• AI's ability to reason at human levels presents both opportunities and challenges for the future of work and decision-making processes.
• Effective leadership involves understanding and managing different behavioural preferences within a team, including time management and communication styles.
• The "action process" in organisational behaviour includes assessing cost-benefit and controlling behaviours, which is crucial for project management and resource allocation.
• Psychometric assessments can help identify and develop various coaching, mentoring, and advisory styles, leading to more effective knowledge transfer and personal development.

BEST MOMENTS

09:38 "We don't really define even, even the word coach is necessary, not necessarily appropriate. That's why we call our, the middle tier of what, who we provide a service to people in the behaviour change business rather than coaches." (Context: Peter Dakin discusses the broad applicability of their services beyond traditional coaching)

19:25 "Stress in itself isn't a negative thing. It's when you reach overwhelm, that's when it becomes a problem." (Context: Peter Dakin explaining the importance of stress management in entrepreneurship)

56:22 "We're sort of literally on the event horizon now of going into either a black hole or a wormhole. And I don't think anybody really knows whether it's a black hole or a wormhole yet." (Context: Peter Dakin discussing the uncertain future of AI and its impact on society)

1:25:01 "I always enjoy listening to what people are having as a challenge, you know, as a struggle, as some type of definition of a problem space and put myself into that and go like, you know what, that's what I would do." (Context: Mike Reflecting on his natural inclination towards advising rather than coaching)

1:33:44 "Words do matter and we don't really want to fall into patterns of using buzzwords. We want to get across the idea that is underneath that." (Context: Peter Dakin discussing the importance of precise language in behavioural assessments)

ABOUT THE GUEST

Pete Dakin: Co-founder, Promana People

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdakin/
Pete Dakin is the founder of Promana People, a New Zealand-based digital platform providing individuals, coaches, "people persons" and organisations with a suite of online tools, including a comprehensive suite of behavioural assessment tools that deliver insights for understanding and fostering personal, professional and organisational growth and development. Pete's path has long been intertwined with the interactions of people and technology - including work in early stage behavioural advertising, behaviour change in education, and now, to the mission of helping people to thrive in a complicated and ever-changing world.

https://promanapeople.com
https://youtube.com/@promanapeople

https://promanapeople.com/
https://promanapeople.com/explore/assessments
https://promanapeople.com/pro/upgrade

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.