The field of industrial and organisational psychology has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the years, and at the forefront of this transformative journey is the North-West University’s (NWU's) Prof Lené Graupner.
Prof Graupner, a registered industrial psychologist and professor at the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources on the Potchefstroom Campus, recently received the prestigious Academic Industrial Psychologist of the Year award from the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology of South Africa. This well-deserved recognition highlights her exceptional contributions to the academic and professional realms of industrial psychology.
She says the significance of winning the award extends beyond individual recognition.
"Winning the award means that our work in industrial and organisational psychology is being recognised at an academic level. However, it's important to note that this achievement is a result of teamwork. I am part of a team of colleagues, researchers and academics who collaborate to solve problems and offer solutions for the industry," she explains.
She adds that this honour reinforces the pivotal role that industrial psychology plays in addressing the evolving demands of the industry, and emphasises the impactful solutions provided by dedicated professionals in the field.
Prof Graupner began her career in the South African Police Service (SAPS) before moving to tertiary education. She specialises in workplace and trauma counselling, training industrial psychologists, and prioritising employee well-being in organisational settings. As a National Research Foundation C2-rated researcher, she equips industrial psychologists with counselling skills and has supervised numerous research projects.
She says her passion for understanding human potential and personalities was sparked while studying for her honours degree industrial and organisational psychology.
"During this time, I started working with psychometric assessments. A whole world opened up for me to see how human potential can be developed, the structure of personalities and how people differ. As assistant, I was privileged to work with Prof Ian Rothmann, scoring personality assessments and observing him and his colleagues in practice work doing consultancy work for organisations. I was sold to industrial psychology, seeing how people grow and flourish was life-changing for me," she says.
Her commitment to preparing industrial psychologists led her to develop the Framework for Inspiring Growth, a groundbreaking workplace counselling model. This model equips students and practitioners with essential counselling skills for their professional roles.
Throughout her academic and professional journey, Prof Graupner has encountered numerous challenges, showcasing her resilience and determination.
"An important challenge we face is personal growth and development, as well as overcoming uncertainties and self-doubt. Every time I applied for honours, master’s and PhD selection, I doubted that I would be chosen. When I was selected, I put a lot of pressure on myself to prove my worthiness. In the end, it's about seizing each opportunity and making the most of it. It's not just about ourselves – it's about the people we serve and assist, and about striving to improve our skills to do so effectively," she shares.
Looking ahead, Prof Graupner envisions a promising future for industrial psychology, particularly within the realm of work-related well-being.
"As organisations increasingly prioritise the well-being of their employees, the expertise of industrial psychologists becomes indispensable in fostering a thriving work environment. I aim to continue shaping the future of industrial psychology by advocating for the pivotal role of industrial psychologists in addressing workplace well-being, and guiding organisations on strategic approaches to ensure the flourishing of their workforce," she says.
In light of her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment, Prof Graupner emphasises the significance of skills development, trustworthy mentorship and the impact of mentoring others.
Prof Lené Graupner.
