Prophet Margin
Jennifer Boyce, Ph.D.

The Consulting Psychologist e-newsletter introduces a new column called Prophet Margin. As its name implies, this is a place that culminates wisdom about the practice and the practitioner of consulting psychology. This column will highlight members and debate hot topics in the field.  As wisdom assumes many forms, everybody from experienced consultants to students, to transitioning or emerging professionals are expected to participate in this forum that showcases not only the intellectual capital, but the fellowship of this organization.

We “christen the birth” of this new column by introducing the SCP membership to new member Ron Wu, Ph.D. He is the Founder and President of Ron Wu and Associates, Inc., a consulting firm in Sacramento, CA specializing in family-owned businesses. Trained as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Wu honed his therapeutic skills in various organizations including the University of California at Davis counseling center, a Veteran’s hospital, and the Mental Health Research Institute in Family Therapy. His interest in family business dates back to constant discussions of his own parents’ business around the dinner table. Furthermore, his wife and daughters have worked with him in his own business, thus forcing him to embrace the same advice he doles out to clients day-to-day. While soft in demeanor, Dr. Wu speaks with a strong conviction about the core competency of his organization, which he terms “Deep Personal Transformation.” We sat down, as we do in 2005, he in the West coast and myself in the East and ironically discussed how Eastern and Western philosophies converge in his practice.

What are the core competencies of your organization?

The core competency of our organization is what I call Deep Personal Transformation. My typical client is an Axis II type, Intermittent Explosive Disorder individual – very difficult to work with. He is the CEO/entrepreneur – very old school – who founded the company with an authoritarian rule. He knows the business well technically, but is not very reflective. I am called in when there is a crisis; He is going through a mid-life crisis such as a divorce. He is exploding at employees and/or key managers have left. The bottom line is hurting and the business may fold.

We deliver leadership training in emotional intelligence. The ultimate goal is to lead transformation of corporate culture toward greater profitability, growth, openness, integrity, and healthy humanness. We facilitate what we call primal release, which includes stress reduction training, meditation, yelling and pounding, and role-play with people they have issues with. The client becomes aware of his negative beliefs and begins to face his fears like, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m only worthy if I achieve.” How emotions affect the bottom line (has been documented in) research for years. This process can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. We start with the top and trickle down into other areas of the organization moving towards a team approach, equality, professionalism, and integrity. Additional services we offer at this point include conflict resolution, team building, succession planning, and personnel selection with mid-managers.

If you were starting a practice today, what best practices would you implement immediately?

Strategic planning. (I would spend a lot of time constructing) vision, mission, and value statements. I would be very clear of what type of business I would like to have, for example, just me, a small group, or a large organization. I would better evaluate the economic soundness of the business prior to starting. Do I have enough money in the bank to cover 6 months to a year of operating costs if I don’t make a sale? I would assess my comfort level with marketing and selling myself. Psychologists have a streak of codependency and we need to identify and release the guilt (around making money).

Any advice for clinically trained psychologists wanting to market themselves as consulting psychologists?

Hang out with business people. Join a business support group. I am a member of an estate planning group which is comprised of professionals including financial planners, bankers, and attorneys whom all give input into planning an estate. I am there because most of the businesses we discuss are family businesses. Also, get involved in business communities such as the Chamber of Commerce. Learn to become a trusted advisor by becoming involved with projects and committees and doing a good job. (In the same vain,) get involved in selected community activities, particularly those with a  business ethic.

In this introduction to the membership, what is the take away message you would you like SCP members to leave with about you & your practice?

Someone who has combined clinical therapeutic approaches and legitimized the appropriate expression of emotion in the business setting.

Ron Wu and Associates, Inc. works across several different industries including construction, software, and telecommunications. Family businesses such as Cosco, Levis Strauss, and mega retailer Walmart comprise some 60-80% of all businesses, making family business consulting a combustible opportunity for consulting psychologists. Dr. Wu notes that in this case, leadership dysfunction equals family dysfunction. “The key,” he says, “is to teach them appropriate boundaries.” Furthermore, unlike other businesses, “one of the goals is to love each other more,” which provides extra incentive to change. Creating a legacy of his own, we thank Ron Wu for sharing his insight and his valuable contribution to our field.