By Ian Taylor

Our 50th birthday has given us valuable cause to reflect on how we have developed over 50 years.  Our founder Malcolm Sheffield believed that a successful consultancy needed a combination of professional skill, enduring client relationships, and the right people working in a structure that enabled them to perform.  He was fascinated by both the art and science of how to foster these principles.  These have indeed become our enduring core values. 

Malcolm had a Masters in Psychology and was initially employed in Government Departments where the use of ‘head shrinkers’, as they were nick named, was widely used.  He thought there was a place for psychology in industry and on that principle he founded Sheffield, New Zealand’s first organisational psychology and executive recruitment firm.

Malcolm had a plan to grow through recruiting experienced staff who would become Partners.  The first of those was Norman Godden who joined the firm in 1965.  Norman managed and developed Sheffield over the next 30 years and on his retirement we recognized his significant contribution in naming him a Founding Partner.  This honour has not been publicly bestowed and we look forward to doing so shortly. 

Norman developed enduring client relationships, and led his consultants to do the same.  His belief was that we were in the ‘worry’ business, that one purpose was to empathise with and understand our clients’ business anxiety and engage with them both professionally and emotionally to manage that. 

I don’t think that’s changed.  But a lot has, as indeed it must, if any business is to survive successive decades. 

And Sheffield has indeed done that - survived and prospered through demanding times. 

Michael King, in his history of New Zealand, talks about the revolution that began around the time Sheffield was founded.  The new economic reality, increased immigration, television in the majority of homes, increased international travel, the rise of counter-cultures through the 60s and 70s and a tough period of economic deregulation; all of which reshaped New Zealand almost beyond recognition.  In fact part of Michael King’s thesis is that during this period, in particular, the movements and conflicts of human history were played out more intensively and more rapidly in New Zealand than anywhere else on earth. 

Through the last five decades I think it has been Sheffield’s clarity of purpose that has ensured our durability and relevance.  That purpose is well embedded in the psi logo that is ever present in our branding.  This Greek symbol articulates the pursuit of a better understanding of human behaviour.  Its relevance in a work setting has driven the theoretical and applied development of our business.  We have built substantial knowledge and expertise as a result of this focus and have retained some outstanding talent who have contributed to the development of a compelling and distinct brand.  At a recent tally of longevity we can count 20 employees who have served more than 10 years in the firm.  This ethos of long service has ensured that our knowledge and relationships have remained strong.  Through these and the ongoing diversification of our services to meet changing times we have ensured that our deep client relationships have become even more substantial.

Over 50 years we have enjoyed great support from a huge range of very loyal clients.  But at the heart of these has been a recognition and appreciation of our difference.

There is no doubt that New Zealand is a more dynamic, outward looking, fast paced, innovative, culturally diverse and questioning society now than it was 1961.  We are very proud of the small part Sheffield has played in supporting the evolution of this country with you.  An evolution that has demanded in great doses the recognition, development and support of talented individuals and organisations that have forged a new identity and place in the world for New Zealand.