Event Details

As technologists, it seems like we often end up serving as armchair psychologists for others in the organization.  People have varied reactions to technology - especially technology change - and often turn to the technologist in their organizations for psychological support (in addition to tech support).  This introduction to the psychological challenges most commonly experienced by individuals facing technology changes will assist in a more successful approach to the management of technology initiatives.

This session will explore basic psychology principles--Motivation, Morale, Conflict, and Productivity, implications of those principles on the individuals/the organization, and application of those principles specifically to individuals/organizations managing critical technology functions--both old and new.

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Presented by: Dahna Goldstein, Founder, PhilanTech and Dr. Victoria M. Grady

Dahna Goldstein, founder of PhilanTech LLC, develops Web-based applications for the nonprofit sector and has worked for venture philanthropies, including Ashoka and Blue Ridge Foundation New York. She has also produced interactive eLearning programs, including the award-winning “What Is a Leader?” program, for Harvard Business School Publishing and Global Education Network. Goldstein holds a bachelor of arts degree from Williams College, a master of education degree, with a concentration in technology, from Harvard University, and a master of business administration degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She is the chair of the board of the I Do Foundation.

Victoria M. Grady completed her Doctor of Science at the George Washington University in May 2005.    Dr. Grady’s dissertation focused on the inherent loss of stability suffered by organizations introducing and implementing organizational change initiatives.  The research resulted in a validated model explaining the tendency of individuals, often subconsciously, to struggle, resist, and potentially disrupt the organizational change initiative. 

Dr. Grady has continued to build upon her research in the field of change management and extended her original model to include a validated index that quantitatively measures the tendency of individuals within the organization to embrace organizational change initiatives.  The index focuses on the employee, and how factors inherent in change affect their performance.  Subsequently, this shift in performance will have a negative impact on the overall health of the organization.

She is currently an Assistant Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Organizational Science within the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences at the George Washington University. For additional information, please contact Dr. Grady at grady_victoria@yahoo.com

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