Douglas LaBier
Encyclopedia
Douglas LaBier is a business psychologist
, psychotherapist, and writer. He is the Founder and Director of the Center for Progressive Development, in Washington, D.C. Beginning in the 1970s, his work has focused on identifying the links between positive human development, careers, organizational culture and leadership. LaBier currently conducts programs for senior executives and leadership teams regarding these issues, in addition to practicing psychotherapy for men, women and couples; and writing for a general audience.
LaBier is the author of Modern Madness: The Hidden Link Between Work and Emotional Conflict (ISBN 0-595-08900-3). Published by Simon & Schuster in 1989, it was based on extensive research with 220 men and women, and described how careers within large organizations affect the potential for emotional and values conflict. It was cited by Daniel Goleman in The New York Times
as “In the vanguard...offering sobering insights into the costs of modern success.” The book argued that personal and career-related conflicts are often caused by successful adaptation to the roles, pressures, and culture within organizations and careers.
LaBier has authored articles on related issues for The Washington Post
, The New York Times
, Fortune
, Business Ethics, and other publications, regarding career and personal life conflicts within contemporary culture.
His is a recognized expert on the link between work and mental health; midlife developmental conflicts; building psychologically healthy management and leadership; and positive human development. As such, his knowledge and views in those areas have been sought by various publications for media commentary
since the 1980s.
His current focus includes survey and research trends that show a growing desire to integrate career success, personal life goals, and service to the human community; and rising interest among corporate executives to create environmentally sustainable, socially responsible business practices within a psychologically health workplace.
LaBier has been a faculty member at the Washington School of Psychiatry since 1980 and has conducted workshops and management consultations to Federal Agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Commerce, and others; as well as for Fortune 500 corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations.
LaBier was raised in upstate New York
. His father, Horace J. LaBier, founded Local 227 of the International Chemical Workers Union in 1937 at a German-owned chemical factory nationalized by the U.S. government during World War I, and served as its president for 10 terms. LaBier’s father was frequently accused of being a Communist by the company, and won a well-publicized case before the National Labor Relations Board when the company forbid him to distribute pamphlets to workers containing readings of Spinoza, Aristotle
, and Freud.
LaBier received his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1969 and did post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he served on staff until 1973. He then trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Washington School of Psychiatry, and in the clinical and research methods of the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm
.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
, psychotherapist, and writer. He is the Founder and Director of the Center for Progressive Development, in Washington, D.C. Beginning in the 1970s, his work has focused on identifying the links between positive human development, careers, organizational culture and leadership. LaBier currently conducts programs for senior executives and leadership teams regarding these issues, in addition to practicing psychotherapy for men, women and couples; and writing for a general audience.
LaBier is the author of Modern Madness: The Hidden Link Between Work and Emotional Conflict (ISBN 0-595-08900-3). Published by Simon & Schuster in 1989, it was based on extensive research with 220 men and women, and described how careers within large organizations affect the potential for emotional and values conflict. It was cited by Daniel Goleman in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
as “In the vanguard...offering sobering insights into the costs of modern success.” The book argued that personal and career-related conflicts are often caused by successful adaptation to the roles, pressures, and culture within organizations and careers.
LaBier has authored articles on related issues for The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, Fortune
Fortune (magazine)
Fortune is a global business magazine published by Time Inc. Founded by Henry Luce in 1930, the publishing business, consisting of Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, grew to become Time Warner. In turn, AOL grew as it acquired Time Warner in 2000 when Time Warner was the world's largest...
, Business Ethics, and other publications, regarding career and personal life conflicts within contemporary culture.
His is a recognized expert on the link between work and mental health; midlife developmental conflicts; building psychologically healthy management and leadership; and positive human development. As such, his knowledge and views in those areas have been sought by various publications for media commentary
since the 1980s.
His current focus includes survey and research trends that show a growing desire to integrate career success, personal life goals, and service to the human community; and rising interest among corporate executives to create environmentally sustainable, socially responsible business practices within a psychologically health workplace.
LaBier has been a faculty member at the Washington School of Psychiatry since 1980 and has conducted workshops and management consultations to Federal Agencies, including the Department of State, Department of Commerce, and others; as well as for Fortune 500 corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations.
LaBier was raised in upstate New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. His father, Horace J. LaBier, founded Local 227 of the International Chemical Workers Union in 1937 at a German-owned chemical factory nationalized by the U.S. government during World War I, and served as its president for 10 terms. LaBier’s father was frequently accused of being a Communist by the company, and won a well-publicized case before the National Labor Relations Board when the company forbid him to distribute pamphlets to workers containing readings of Spinoza, Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
, and Freud.
LaBier received his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1969 and did post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he served on staff until 1973. He then trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the Washington School of Psychiatry, and in the clinical and research methods of the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm
Erich Seligmann Fromm was a Jewish German-American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, sociologist, humanistic philosopher, and democratic socialist. He was associated with what became known as the Frankfurt School of critical theory.-Life:Erich Fromm was born on March 23, 1900, at Frankfurt am...
.