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The What and Why of Underperforming Leaders: Unlocking Performance Through Behavior, Motivation and Competencies

Maria Brown, PhD, BCC
Tricia Naddaff, PhD
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Description

Leadership underperformance is often viewed as a behavioral or competency issue, but these factors alone rarely provide a complete explanation. This webinar explores how effective coaching requires understanding what leaders do, and also why they do it. Using a case study, we will demonstrate how integrating behavioral and competency data with underlying motivations offers a more comprehensive and actionable view of performance – and underperformance. Participants will learn how combining these perspectives can enhance diagnosis, self-awareness, and sustainable change. This session is designed for organizational psychologists, executive coaches, and leadership professionals seeking a more complete approach to coaching underperforming leaders.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the role of underlying motivations in shaping leadership behavior.

  • Evaluate behavioral and motivational patterns in combination to identify opportunities for client performance improvement.

  • Apply strategies to help clients integrate behavioral and competency assessment data with motivational insights to support sustained change.

  • Explain the importance of individual measurement in enhancing self-awareness and informing leadership development.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to deepen coach and consultant’s understanding of how to support underperforming leaders by examining not only observable behaviors and competencies, but also the underlying motivations that drive them. Participants will learn how to integrate behavioral, competency, and motivational data through practical application to more accurately diagnose performance issues, enhance self-awareness through individual measurement, and apply targeted strategies that support meaningful and sustained leadership development.

Target Audience

  • Consultant/Coach
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Maria Brown, PhD, BCC
Maria Brown, PhD, BCC is Head of Research and Education at MRG Assessments, where she leads research, thought leadership, and applied learning initiatives focused on leadership effectiveness, motivation, and coaching. Her work bridges rigorous psychological science and practical application, supporting leaders, coaches, and organizations in translating insight into sustained behavior change. Maria is a Board Certified Coach (BCC). Her coaching emphasizes compassionate and accountable leadership, motivational factors, work-life balance, and identifying the conditions that enable people and organizations to thrive. She holds a PhD and MS in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Prior to joining MRG, Maria served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Murray State University, where she taught across undergraduate and graduate curricula. An experienced educator, Maria is known for making complex research accessible and actionable. Maria brings a broad research background spanning developmental, cognitive, and applied psychology. She has published in peer-reviewed journals including Developmental Science and Teaching of Psychology, as well as practitioner outlets such as TD Magazine and Coaching Perspectives. Her work has been presented internationally at conferences hosted by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the Society of Consulting Psychology, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and the Association for Talent Development, among others.
Tricia Naddaff, PhD
Tricia Naddaff is the President and owner of MRG Assessments, an international leader in assessments and research in the areas of Leadership, and Career Development/Personal Growth.

A contributing author to the book “Enlightened Power”, and a TEDx speaker she has a particular interest in evidence-based leadership development, leading authentically and cultivating wisdom, courage and compassion in organizations.

Tricia has been coaching and consulting for over 35 years. Tricia received her master’s degree from Lesley University and her undergraduate degree from Boston College.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Society for Consulting Psychology