About |
Our Back StoryIn 1996, Dr Sharon Rippin, Dr Dave George and Russell McMurray founded Cerno Ltd., an organisational psychology consulting practice delivering results for clients in New Zealand and Australia.
Over the next 20 years Sharon, Dave and Russell worked with some extraordinary clients, designing and implementing solutions to lift individual, team, organisational and sector performance. They pioneered a range of psychologically-based information solutions to enable organisations, agencies and sectors to understand their human capital, make evidence-based decisions about people and enhance the performance of their leaders. Sharon, Dave and Russell had the privilege of meeting many great people delivering amazing results in demanding roles. They learnt lots about themselves and had a lot of fun on the way. In 2017, their individual desires for a change led to passing Cerno to new owners, and to Sharon establishing PsychforLeaders, with Dave and Russell on-board as Associates. |
Our GoalOur clients’ best interests are paramount. We work to ensure they can achieve discernible improvements to individual and organisational performance.
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A bit about us
Dr Sharon RippinWhat did you study and why?
Clinical and Organisational Psychology. I kept passing, so I kept going. What did you want to be when you when you were 10 years old? Weirdly…a psychologist. A neighbour told me that I was good at reading situations. The rest is history... What has been your hardest job in your career to date? A rousey in a travelling shearing gang. What do you most enjoy about your work? Working with people who have the courage to push themselves outside their comfort zone. Who would you like to invite to a barby at your place? Nancy Wake. What TV character have you been told you look like? Sadly, Saffy from Ab Fab – when I was a younger me. Favourite song? Rehab - Amy Winehouse. A great song to run to (it mirrors the stop start nature of my running). Favourite TV show? The Good Wife. Most treasured item of clothing? A pair of yellow Prada shoes that I walked into the ground. Signature dish? Kumara pie. A secret hobby? Making dinner trays out of purple and green plastic cane. Say no more. Sporting achievement? Still to come. |
Dr Dave GeorgeWhat did you study and why?
Psychology, so I could help others make robust and ethical people decisions. What did you want to be when you when you were 10 years old? A sailor in the navy (for the adventure, not the uniform)! What has been your hardest job in your career to date? Scrub cutting in the Taihape hills. What do you most enjoy about your work? Motivating people to see what is possible in themselves and others. Who would you like to invite to a barby at your place? Sir Gerry Mateparae. What TV character have you been told you look like? Louis Litt. Favourite song? Another One Bites the Dust - Queen. Favourite TV show The Wire. Most treasured item of clothing A pink tied dyed T-shirt (1983). Signature dish? Gumbo (Cajun). Secret hobby? Baking bread. Sporting achievement? Playing against the All Blacks (for South Australia in 1974, we lost 117-06) |
Russell McMurrayWhat did you study and why?
Business and Information Systems. It seemed to provide an interesting mix of humanities and science. What did you want to be when you when you were 10 years old? Guitarist in David Bowie's touring band. What has been your hardest job in your career to date? Not sure. I think I have suppressed the memory. What do you most enjoy about your work? Those ah-ha moments when something finally clicks. Who would you like to invite to a barby at your place? Aaron Franklin. What TV character have you been told you look like? Cliff Richard...is he a TV character? Favourite song? Feed the Tree - Belly. Favourite TV show? Justified. Most treasured item of clothing? Cowboy belt buckle with azure inset. Signature dish? Corn Fritters. A secret hobby? Eating dinner off trays made out of purple and green plastic cane. Sporting achievement? Busting my left knee skiing. |