Paul Napper

Dr. Paul Napper is a management psychologist, executive coach, and author whose career spans finance, academia, and applied psychology. He began his professional journey as a Wall Street analyst, working with J.P. Morgan Investment Management in New York and Crowell, Weedon and Company in Los Angeles, where he covered major industries such as banking, insurance, and media. This blend of business experience and psychological training has shaped his work in leadership development and organizational effectiveness.

After his tenure on Wall Street, Napper founded Performance Psychology, a Boston-based management psychology consultancy. He works with leaders and senior teams at Fortune 500 companies, financial firms, nonprofits, universities, and startups to enhance leadership effectiveness and strengthen agency. Napper holds an undergraduate degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in the same field from the University of Chicago, and a doctorate from William James College. He also completed an advanced fellowship in psychological testing and assessment during an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School.

Napper is the co-author of "The Power of Agency," which presents a science-based approach to personal and professional effectiveness. The book outlines seven principles for building agency, including controlling stimuli, associating selectively, moving, positioning oneself as a learner, managing emotions and beliefs, checking intuition, and deliberating before acting. Published by St. Martin's Press, "The Power of Agency" has been recognized by leaders in business and psychology for its practical guidance on managing anxiety and competing demands.

Napper supports business leaders in increasing their effectiveness by applying psychological principles to leadership and organizational performance. Performance Psychology collaborates with senior executives, HR leaders, managers, and teams to develop leadership skills, improve decision-making, and drive effective execution through executive assessment, coaching, and strategic consultation. As a keynote speaker, Napper addresses topics such as business leadership, business growth, psychology, and social sciences, offering insights on navigating complexity, reclaiming personal agency, and building resilient organizations.