You don’t need to be in therapy to understand the benefits of psychology in the workplace. In this blog, we will explore six important psychological principles that significantly impact professional development and career success. Understanding these principles can boost your relationships, improve productivity, and contribute to a more positive work environment.

These six principles offer valuable insights into human behaviour and motivation, providing you with the tools to navigate challenges and achieve your career goals. Whether you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, enhance team collaboration, or boost your personal growth, psychology in the workplace can fast-track your professional success.

 

1. Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort we feel when our actions don’t match our beliefs. More specifically, it’s a psychological tension that occurs when you hold two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. This internal conflict can lead to stress, reduced job satisfaction, and decreased motivation. Managing cognitive dissonance at work is crucial, as it can be a powerful tool for professional growth, positive change, improved decision-making, and enhanced leadership and integrity.

Example

You want to apply for a promotion at work, but you haven’t enrolled in the professional development course that will make you a suitable candidate.

Career lessons

• Use discomfort as a motivator for positive change
• Set public goals to increase your accountability, as this will reduce dissonance by connecting your behaviour with your stated goals
• If you’re a leader but lack important skills, take on professional development opportunities to close the gap and reduce internal conflict
• Identify where your values and actions clash and resolve this mismatch to prevent stress and occupational burnout
• Challenge yourself to question justifications for staying in unsatisfying roles and consider a new direction that supports your long-term career goals

 

2. Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias occurs when we seek information that confirms our beliefs while ignoring or downplaying evidence that challenges these beliefs. In psychology in the workplace, confirmation bias can lead to poor decision-making, bias in hiring, resistance to change, stifled creativity and missed opportunities for growth.

Example

A hiring manager believes remote workers are less productive and unreliable. When one remote employee misses a deadline, she sees it as proof but ignores the three remote workers who delivered early.

Career lessons

• Don’t rely solely on gut feeling, but seek data and different perspectives that may contradict your first impressions (especially in decision-making and hiring)
• Collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds to gain different perspectives from your own
• Use structured criteria when hiring to avoid unconsciously favouring clients who ‘seem like a good fit.’
• Be open to criticism from people who will challenge you constructively
• When new strategies or tools are introduced at work, don’t default to negativity, but consider the evidence and give new approaches a chance

 

3. Habit Loops

Habit loops are the psychology in the workplace that involve small wins gained via a neurological pattern that governs a habit. The loop has three key parts, including cue (the trigger that tells your brain to start a behaviour), routine (the behaviour itself) and reward (the benefit that reinforces the habit). It’s a concept made famous by Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, and is crucial to understanding habit formation. In the workplace, positive habit loops support productivity and team growth, but negative loops can sabotage focus and performance.

Example

A manager feels stressed after reading a difficult customer review via email, so they scroll social media to escape the discomfort and feel temporarily distracted.

Career lessons

• Notice what triggers your unproductive habits, such as checking your phone when you get stuck on a challenging task
• Replace unhelpful behaviours with useful ones. If stress triggers procrastination, try a two-minute breathing exercise
• Celebrate small wins to reinforce good work habits, even simple rewards like a short walk after completing a to-do list can build your momentum
• Turn beneficial behaviours, like time blocking, into routines so they become second nature
• If you’re stuck in a cycle of bad habits, such as reacting defensively to feedback, break the loop by changing either the cue or the response

The Halo Effect

The halo effect is a cognitive bias in which a strong first impression can influence how someone is viewed long-term. In this psychology in the workplace principle, a strong first impression, appearance, or a single success can lead others to assume competence in many areas, whether true or not.

Example

Jason is outgoing and funny in meetings, making him well-liked by the team. As a result, he’s seen as highly productive when in reality he misses deadlines and relies on others to complete his tasks.

Career lessons

• Whether in interviews or presentations, dress well, speak clearly, and lead with confidence.
• Highlight a strong trait or achievement, as a visible success can positively influence how people see you.
• Once you’ve made a good impression, make sure you follow up with reliable, quality work to maintain the expectations you’ve set.
• Be aware of a bias in the way you view others. Don’t let charm, confidence or similarity biases affect your assessment of someone’s actual performance or potential.
• Ask colleagues or mentors if your strengths or image may overshadow areas where you require growth.

 

5. The Zeigarnik Effect

The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon in which our minds hold onto incomplete tasks more than completed ones. This ongoing mental tension motivates us to want to finish what we start, even if we have stalled or moved on. In a career context, unfinished tasks can drain focus, increase stress and reduce productivity. However, this effect can also strategically boost motivation and encourage momentum.

Example

Jane can’t stop thinking about an unfinished report and feels mentally cluttered because she has too many unfinished tasks—she stays late every day for weeks to complete it.

Career lessons

• If you’re feeling mentally cluttered could be all those unfinished projects. Keep a task list and close the loop to stay focused.
• Break big goals into smaller, manageable tasks
• Use an ‘open loop’ to boost your focus. Begin a task without pressure to complete it, and the mental tension will often be enough motivation to bring you back to complete it.
• Don’t juggle too many tasks at once. Prioritise finishing key items before starting new ones.
• Make lists or keep a planner to organise tasks in order of priority, which will help your brain relax.
• Start projects early, even if it’s just a rough outline, to build intrinsic motivation and reduce procrastination.

 

6. Priming

Priming is a psychological effect in which exposure to certain stimuli (words, images, and experiences) influences our thoughts and behaviour, often unconsciously. In the workplace, priming can impact your mood, performance, decision-making, and even how others perceive you, often without anyone realising this is happening.

Example

Before a team brainstorming session, a manager shows a short video about innovation at Apple.

Career lessons

• Start your day with purpose — read something motivating or review goals to prime your mindset for success.
• Surround yourself with visual cues such as inspirational quotes, calendars or uplifting colour schemes, to reinforce goals and values.
• Use keywords or visuals that reinforce your message and influence how your ideas are received.
• Avoid negativity or distractions that unconsciously shift your positive mindset.
• Reframe challenges using ‘growth mindset’ language like a ‘learning opportunity’ instead of ‘extra work’, shifting your response to setbacks.

 

You don’t need to see a therapist to benefit from psychology in the workplace. Simply apply psychological principles, such as cognitive dissonance, habit loops, confirmation bias, the Zeigarnik effect, and priming, to understand your behaviours and improve how you work, manage, and develop in your career. We hope these insights boost your self-awareness and lead to better decision-making, stronger relationships, and long-term professional success.

 

Can we help you with professional development at work? Simply contact one of our Course Consultants today at 1300 76 2221 or via Live Chat for information and support.