Powering Workplace Proactivity with Dr Joanne Gray

Powering Workplace Proactivity with Dr Joanne Gray

Author: Ross McIntosh June 17, 2026 Duration: 27:38

What happens when success no longer feels quite right?

In this episode of People Soup, Ross speaks with organisational psychologist, consultant and author Dr Joanne Gray.

Joe shares the story of a major career transition that took her from a senior corporate leadership role into the world of business psychology and consulting. Along the way, she reflects on the warning signs she experienced, the role of values in shaping career decisions, and the moment she realised something had to change.

The conversation then explores Joe's work on workplace proactivity – what it really means, why organisations often struggle to create the conditions for it, and how leaders can unintentionally shut it down.

You'll also hear a simple and practical framework that can help us think about taking action when something matters.

In this episode

  • Joanne's journey from corporate leadership to organisational psychology
  • Recognising the signs of exhaustion and burnout
  • What happens when workplace culture no longer aligns with your values
  • Why proactivity is more than simply being helpful
  • The difference between reactive and proactive work
  • Why proactivity can sometimes become another workplace demand
  • The Can Do, Reason To, Energised To framework
  • Leadership, psychological safety and fairness
  • Joanne's walk-on music choice

A question to reflect on

When you're considering a change, taking initiative or speaking up, ask yourself:

  • Can I do it?
  • Do I have a reason to do it?
  • Do I have the energy to do it?

Walk-on Music

Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) – Rozalla

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Ever wonder why we do the things we do, especially at work or when trying to lead others? People Soup digs into that question, but it doesn’t stop at theory. Each episode is built on a foundation of behavioural science, which means you’ll get more than just interesting stories-you’ll get a clearer understanding of the human ingredients that make up our daily interactions. The conversations here feel real and unscripted, often touching on the messy, rewarding, and sometimes frustrating experience of simply being human. You’ll find that this podcast operates at the intersection of our professional ambitions and our personal well-being, exploring how they influence each other in ways we might not immediately see. It’s for anyone who has left a meeting baffled by a colleague’s reaction, struggled to motivate a team, or just wanted to navigate their own goals with a bit more clarity and less friction. The ideas discussed are deliberately practical, designed to be used almost immediately, whether you’re looking to improve a process, a relationship, or your own mindset. Tune in for a blend of thoughtful analysis and actionable insight that aims to make the complex recipe of human behaviour a little easier to understand and work with.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

People Soup
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