Peter Clough - Developing Mental Toughness: Improving Performance, Wellbeing and Positive Behaviour in Others

Dr Peter Clough is a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and a Chartered Occupational Psychologist. He is a senior lecturer at the University of Hull. His main research interests are in performance in high-pressure environments. He is co-developer, with Keith Earle, of the mental toughness model and the MTQ48 mental toughness questionnaire.

Working with AQR, Peter is supervising the ongoing development of the worlds first integrated psychometric measure for leadership style and behaviour, the ILM72, which maps to all major leadership models. Supported by the Institute of Leadership & Management, it was published in January 2008.

Peters consultancy experience in the world of work embraces a wide variety of projects with major organizations in the UK and elsewhere including the design and implementation of assessment and development centres, workplace counselling, employee and culture surveys, leadership development and psychometric testing and training.

Peters first degree is in Psychology and his masters degree (awarded by Sheffield University) is in Occupational Psychology. Peter earned his PhD at Aberdeen University. He can be contacted at .

Doug Strycharczyk has more than 30 years experience in a variety of line, HR and consultancy roles with a number of global blue-chip businesses. In 1989 he founded AQR (as TCA Consultants) and he is the CEO of AQR Ltd now recognized as one of the most innovative (and fast growing) test publishers in the world.

Dougs areas of expertise include development of psychometric tests and programmes, playing a key role in developing MTQ48 and ILM72, organizational development, senior management/leadership development and top team assessment. More recently, this role has led to work within the education sector. He is working at SE, FE and HE levels to develop programmes and approaches that attend to student wellbeing/satisfaction, employability, performance and transition.

Doug has co-authored with Dr Peter Clough chapters in the following leading books: Psychometrics in Coaching (2009; Kogan Page and Association for Coaching), Leadership Coaching (2010; Kogan Page and Association for Coaching) and Coaching in Education (2011).

Doug holds a first-class honours degree in Economics. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a member of the Institute of Leadership & Management. E-mail Doug at .

Damian Allen is Executive Director of Children and Family Services for Knowsley Council. Damian led the first educational application of mental toughness in secondary schools and is a strong advocate of innovation in public services. He is the UK representative on the Cisco Global Education Leaders Program (GELP), to which he has introduced MTQ48. Contact Damian via .

David Ayre is an Advisory Officer to the Children & Family Services Leadership Team in Knowsley. He has a BSc in Politics with Law (Aston), at which time he worked as a research assistant to a member of the UK Parliament, and an MA in Political Thought (Durham). He can be contacted at .

Angela Clough is a Chartered Physiotherapist. She is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Hull. Her main applied work is in orthopaedic medicine and sports injuries. Her research focus is on the psycho-social aspects of injury. She has extensive experience as a practitioner and manager in the UK National Health Service. E-mail: .

Dr Lee Crust is a senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Lincoln. Lee is a BPS Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, a Health Professions Council Practitioner Psychologist, and a Science Council Chartered Scientist. The majority of Lees published research has concerned understanding what mental toughness is and how it develops in athletes.

Adrian Eagleson is a Director with TOWARD, a company that aims to build resilience through behavioural change. He has a background in organizational behaviour and occupational psychology. His interests lie in how resilience and psychological capital impact upon performance. He works with elite sports, senior leaders and executive boards to offset crisis and build sustainable leadership behaviours. Adrian can be contacted at .

Dr Fiona Earle is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Psychology Lecturer at the University of Hull working in the field of work and wellbeing. Fiona specializes in stress, workload and fatigue. With significant consultancy experience, she has expertise in the design of assessment centres, development of bespoke psychometric instruments and management development. E-mail Fiona at .

Dr Keith Earle is a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist working as a senior lecturer at the University of Hull. He is both an active researcher and an applied sport psychologist, working with athletes from a wide range of sports. Keith is the co-developer with Dr Peter Clough of the mental toughness model. Contact Keith at .

Kieran Gordon is the Chief Executive of Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership Limited. He has 30 years experience of working with young people as a professionally trained careers adviser and in various management and leadership roles. He has worked closely with government at national, regional and local levels to raise the standard and profile of careers and related support services aimed at increasing aspirations, attainment and progression for individuals as they make the transition from school into and through working life. Kieran is also a Past President of the Institute of Career Guidance (ICG), which is a UK-wide body representing the interests of career guidance professionals. Contact Kieran at .

Dr David Marchant is Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Edge Hill University. Before joining the Department of Sport and Physical Activity, David lectured in Sport, Exercise and Health Psychology at the University of Hull, where he worked closely with Peter Clough on a number of projects on mental toughness. David continues to carry out and publish research that embraces mental toughness, and can be contacted on .

Dr Christian van Nieuwerburgh works as a Senior Lecturer in Coaching Psychology at UEL, where he specializes in coaching in education. He is currently involved in a number of research projects in schools and colleges and the impact of mental toughness training in schools leading to the formation of the International Centre for Coaching in Education. Christian can be contacted at .

Johnny Parks is a Director with TOWARD, a company that aims to build resilience through behavioural change. His interests lie in how culture and individuals contribute to crisis and the role of the leader in building resilience. Johnny delivers the executive coaching programme within the University of Ulster MSc in Executive Leadership (Resiliency Programme). E-mail: .

Dr Craig Thomson has been Principal of Adam Smith College since it was created in August 2005. Prior to this, he was Principal of Glenrothes College, having taken up that post in 1999. Craig has worked variously in schools, further and higher education as teacher, manager, teacher trainer and researcher in Scotland, England and internationally. Contact Craig at .