🎙️ ChangeMakers in Conversation | Ilona Boniwell — Giving Psychology Back to People

Описание: ChangeMakers in Conversation | Ilona Boniwell — Giving Psychology Back to People: Hope, Ethics, Culture & Coaching in the Age of AI

In this first ChangeMakers in Conversation for 2026, I’m joined by Ilona Boniwell — psychologist, positive psychology pioneer, and a leader in coaching psychology and executive education. We reflect on our long professional friendship (including our collaboration on Positive Psychology Coaching in the Workplace) and explore Ilona’s deep commitment to translating science into practice — giving psychology back to people in ways that are usable, human, and real.

Together we talk about what it means to bring evidence-based psychology into the workplace, the ethical tensions that show up in executive coaching and organisational contracts, and why cross-cultural humility matters more than ever. Ilona also shares powerful insights from her work across the Middle East, where real stories challenge Western assumptions — and where learning requires care, curiosity, and integrity.

We close with a grounded and timely message: hope — not as optimism-by-default, but as a professional and human stance in a world shaped by conflict, uncertainty, and rapid technological change.

✨ In this conversation, we explore:

🔹 Ilona’s journey into psychology — and the “words or people” moment that shaped her life
🔹 Positive psychology + coaching psychology as twin pillars: theory and real-world testing
🔹 Building programs, accreditation standards, and protecting the integrity of a field
🔹 Ethics in practice: confidentiality vs organisational reporting expectations
🔹 Cultural assumptions, bias, and what cross-cultural work teaches us
🔹 Coaching and AI: integration, demarcation, and what remains uniquely human
🔹 Legacy and purpose: “giving psychology back to people”
🔹 A closing invitation to live with hope and build a better future together

🌱 About ChangeMakers in Conversation

ChangeMakers in Conversation is my long-form interview series with people shaping the future of coaching, psychology, leadership, and ethical practice.

If you’d like more conversations like this, please subscribe — and feel free to share what landed for you in the comments.

🔗 Explore more from our ecosystem

🌐 Ethics Forum International www.ethicsforuminternational.com

📘 Ethical Edge Insights www.ethicaledgeinsights.com

📖 Journal of Coaching Ethics www.journalofcoachingethics.com

🎤 Coaching Ethics Forum www.coachingethicsforum.com

🏅 Champions of Courage www.championsofcourage.com

#ethics #compliance #leadership #purpose #changemakers