At The St. Louis Business Journal’s 2019 HR Awards on March 7, Psychological Associates co-Founder Dr. Robert Lefton received the paper’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Resources.
A Legacy of Innovation
From his days as a student at Washington University studying industrial psychology, Dr. Lefton always had a passion for improving communication skills, and helping organizations make the better use of their best resource — their people. Along with his business partner, the late Dr. Vic Buzzotta, Dr. Lefton founded Psychological Associates as a clinical practice, but quickly changed course as he found his stride helping the business community in St. Louis and beyond.
Since co-founding Psychological Associates in 1958, Dr. Lefton has been a pioneer in transforming HR from what was originally an administrative field focused on benefits and payroll to an area that can often make or break a company’s success. Alongside Dr. Buzzotta, he co-developed PA’s Dimensional Model of Behavior, a tool to help businesspeople understand their behavior, and the behavior of others, to increase productivity, communication, and effectiveness.
The pair then went on to create Dimensional Sales Training, the first sales training course ever developed by psychologists. In 1989, the company launched Leadership Through People Skills (LTPS), our flagship leadership development workshop, where new and experienced leaders can hone their interpersonal & communication skills and develop their ability to resolve conflicts. They created surveys to help executives develop crucial leadership behaviors, and developed tools and methodologies to improve executive team performance.
Still Going Strong
Even though he’s now 87, Dr. Lefton still comes to the office each day, and remains an executive coach and trusted advisor to business leaders in St. Louis and beyond. He also serves on the Board of many publicly and privately held companies.
Third Generation
Jessica Lefton, a third-generation employee of Psychological Associates, added, “I’m so proud of the legacy of leadership my grandfather has built. It’s great to see his accomplishments recognized in this way.”
All of us here at PA are proud to work with Dr. Lefton. His mentorship, intellect, and humor continue to influence our culture and every client interaction. Thanks to the St. Louis Business Journal for this well-deserved honor.