Psychology that changes how we think about performance at work
Talks and workshops for organisations that want their people to perform well without paying for it with their wellbeing
I'm Dr Vicki Mackay, a psychologist and speaker. I translate psychological ideas into engaging, practical conversations about the human side of work.
Understanding performance under pressure
The behaviours organisations value - high standards, responsibility, ambition, conscientiousness and a willingness to go the extra mile - can be enormous strengths.
But under pressure, those same qualities can become costly.
High standards become perfectionism. Responsibility becomes over-functioning. Preparation becomes overthinking. Commitment becomes difficulty switching off. And capable people can become so concerned about getting things wrong that they stop taking risks, asking questions or speaking openly.
The question isn't simply how we help people perform more. It's how we create the conditions in which people can perform well, sustainably.
Trusted by organisations including:
Disney | Pfizer | Amazon | Target | GE | Lionbridge | Grokker | RSUI
Signature talks & workshops
The Psychology of Sustainable High Performance
How to perform at your best without running yourself into the ground.
This session explores when high standards, overworking and performance pressure begin to undermine performance - and how to pursue excellence more sustainably.
Participants explore:
Healthy striving • perfectionism • self-worth • switching off
Confidence Under Pressure
Why capable people doubt themselves - and what actually helps.
This session explores why capable people can still struggle with self-doubt, what sits beneath second-guessing, and how to act with greater confidence without needing complete certainty.
Participants explore:
Confidence • fear of failure • over-thinking • tolerating uncertainty
Psychological Safety Under Pressure
Creating the conditions for people to speak, challenge and contribute.
This session explores what drives self-doubt in capable people and how to act with confidence without needing certainty.
Participants explore:
How to speak up • fear of judgement • how to question and challenge
The Cost of Always Being Capable
When being the person who can handle everything becomes part of your identity.
This session explores the hidden cost of being the person everyone relies on - including over-responsibility, people-pleasing, difficulty saying no and the pressure to keep carrying more.
Participants explore:
Asking for help • over-responsibility • managing boundaries
What you can expect
My sessions are psychologically informed without feeling like a psychology lecture.
I combine evidence-based psychological ideas, relatable examples and practical reflection to help audiences recognise themselves in the subject; and leave thinking differently about how they work.
Psychological depth
Evidence-based psychological ideas and clinical experience, translated into accessible language.
Practical Application
Audiences leave with ideas they can apply to how they work, lead and relate to others.
Conversation, not prescription
Space to think differently about complex workplace problems — without reducing them to five-step solutions.
Flexible formats for your organisation
Keynotes & talks
30–60 minutes
Interactive webinars
45–90 minutes
Leadership & team sessions
Tailored to the needs of the group
Workshops
60–120 minutes
Online or in person
Trusted by organisations to bring psychology to work:
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"Thank you again for doing today’s session! We had approximately 90 people join the webinar and lots of engagement…and that level of engagement doesn’t always happen. You’re a wonderful speaker, providing great explanations, examples and suggestions!"
- GE
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"Just sending a note of thanks for today's webinar. It was wonderful to meet you, and to see the audience engage with you on what resonated with them and share their insights. I am pleased with how it went!"
- Amazon
About Dr Vicki
Dr Vicki Mackay is a psychologist and speaker with over a decade of experience helping people understand the psychological patterns that shape how they think, behave, perform and relate to others.
Her work explores the psychology of self-worth, identity, pressure and performance, translating psychological insight into engaging conversations that audiences can recognise themselves in and use beyond the session.
Bring Dr Vicki to your organisation
Planning a wellbeing programme, leadership event, employee network session or company-wide conversation?
Let's talk about what would work for your audience.
Bespoke sessions are also available within my areas of expertise.