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Dr Zen Goh

About me

I’m an academic, researcher, educator, speaker, and consultant exploring what allows people to thrive in the systems we live and work in.

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Hi, I’m Dr Zen Goh

In 2020, the world didn’t just fall apart. My personal life did too.

 

Despite having a PhD and being an accomplished academic, I experienced unemployment, failed promotions, international relocation, a 2-year COVID lockdown, an abusive marriage, family estrangement, and single motherhood. 

 

My journey from academia to adversity taught me that setbacks don't define us.

 

Our responses do.

 

Today, I focus on educating others about the importance of psychological capacities, the foundational skills that support you through every phase of life and work. Through research, teaching, and collaboration, I empower leaders and organisations to cultivate clarity, confidence, and courage, empowering them to respond to uncertainty with strength and purpose.

Hi, I’m Dr Zen Goh

In 2020, the world didn’t just fall apart. My personal life did too.

 

Despite having a PhD and being an accomplished academic, I experienced unemployment, failed promotions, international relocation, a 2-year COVID lockdown, an abusive marriage, family estrangement, and single motherhood. 

 

My journey from academia to adversity taught me that setbacks don't define us.

 

Our responses do.

 

Today, I focus on educating others about the importance of psychological capacities, the foundational skills that support you through every phase of life and work. Through research, teaching, and collaboration, I empower leaders and organisations to cultivate clarity, confidence, and courage, empowering them to respond to uncertainty with strength and purpose.

zgoh.jpeg
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My Mission

I believe research should be lived, not just published.

 

My mission is to bridge research evidence and lived experience to expand our collective capacity for wellbeing and connection.

 

Drawing on my own research, I lead reflective, research-informed conversations with leaders and teams to translate my findings into practical tools - all with the goal of empowering people to reach their full potential, together.

My Roles

  • Senior lecturer - Monash University

  • Founder and Chair - Multidisciplinary International Network of Thriving

  • Chair - Post Graduate Course Professional Development

  • Podcast host - The Inside Story: Learn from Lessons Lived

Award-winning educator

Monash Teaching Excellence Purple Letters

National University of Singapore Best Teaching Award Nominee

National University of Singapore President Graduate Fellowship Award

National University of Singapore Research Scholarship

My Publications

  • Hülsheger, U. R., Yang, T., Bono, J. E., Goh, Z., & Ilies, R. (2022). Stop the spin: The role of mindfulness practices in reducing affect spin. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 27(6), 529–543.

    • ​American Psychological Association Editor’s Choice, December 2022
       

  • Goh, Z., Eva, N., Kiazad, K., Jack, G. A., De Cieri, H., & Spreitzer, G. M. (2022). An integrative multilevel review of thriving at work: Assessing progress and promise. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(2), 197-213.

    • ​JOB’s top 10 most-cited papers in 2023
       

  • Ilies, R.., Liu, Y., Ju, H., Goh., Z. (2020) Emotional resources link work demands and experiences to family functioning and employee well-being: The Emotional Resource Possession Scale (ERPS). European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 29(3), 434-449.
     

  • Lang, J.W.B. & Goh, Z. (2020) Building an organizational science of behavioral consistency: comment on Katz-Navon, Kark, and Delegach. Academy of Management Discoveries, 6, 149-152.

  • Pitesa, M., Goh, Z., & Thau, S. (2018). Mandates of dishonesty: The psychological and social costs of mandated attitude expression. Organization Science, 29, 357-546.
     

  • Ilies, R., Lanaj, K., Pluut, H., & Goh, Z (2018). Intrapersonal and interpersonal need fulfillment at work: Differential antecedents and incremental validity in explaining job satisfaction and citizenship behavior. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 108, 151-164.
     

  • Goh, Z., Ilies, R. & Wilson, K.S. (2015) Supportive managers improve employees’ daily lives: The role managers play in the impact of daily workload on life satisfaction via work-family conflict. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 89, 65-73.
     

  • Ilies, R., Keeney, J., & Goh, Z. (2015) Capitalizing on positive work events by sharing them at home. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 64, 578-598. 

My Publications

  • Hülsheger, U. R., Yang, T., Bono, J. E., Goh, Z., & Ilies, R. (2022). Stop the spin: The role of mindfulness practices in reducing affect spin. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 27(6), 529–543.

    • ​American Psychological Association Editor’s Choice, December 2022
       

  • Goh, Z., Eva, N., Kiazad, K., Jack, G. A., De Cieri, H., & Spreitzer, G. M. (2022). An integrative multilevel review of thriving at work: Assessing progress and promise. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 43(2), 197-213.

    • ​JOB’s top 10 most-cited papers in 2023
       

  • Ilies, R.., Liu, Y., Ju, H., Goh., Z. (2020) Emotional resources link work demands and experiences to family functioning and employee well-being: The Emotional Resource Possession Scale (ERPS). European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 29(3), 434-449.
     

  • Lang, J.W.B. & Goh, Z. (2020) Building an organizational science of behavioral consistency: comment on Katz-Navon, Kark, and Delegach. Academy of Management Discoveries, 6, 149-152.
     

  • Pitesa, M., Goh, Z., & Thau, S. (2018). Mandates of dishonesty: The psychological and social costs of mandated attitude expression. Organization Science, 29, 357-546.
     

  • Ilies, R., Lanaj, K., Pluut, H., & Goh, Z (2018). Intrapersonal and interpersonal need fulfillment at work: Differential antecedents and incremental validity in explaining job satisfaction and citizenship behavior. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 108, 151-164.
     

  • Goh, Z., Ilies, R. & Wilson, K.S. (2015) Supportive managers improve employees’ daily lives: The role managers play in the impact of daily workload on life satisfaction via work-family conflict. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 89, 65-73.
     

  • Ilies, R., Keeney, J., & Goh, Z. (2015) Capitalizing on positive work events by sharing them at home. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 64, 578-598. 

Speaking

I speak on topics of wellbeing, psychological safety, and thriving at work, empowering teams and leaders to expand their psychological capacity and connect more meaningfully.

  • Panel speaker - Thermo Fisher Annual Leadership Conference, ”Unlocking our Potential with Talent: Workforce of the Future”

  • Panel speaker - Singapore Management University Alumni in Australia Discussion, “Navigating Transitions with Your Sanity Intact”

  • Stakeholder discussant - “Investigating the conditions in which women GPs thrive in General Practice: What works, for whom, how and in what circumstances?”

  • Panel speaker - Rotary Club Conference, “Mental Wellness at Work”

Media

I actively contribute to conversations on wellbeing and courage across media and research platforms.

My Industry Contributions

I design and evaluate scalable, evidence-based wellbeing interventions that create measurable impact across organisations and communities.

 

My work with industry partners spans topics like psychological safety, mindfulness, and sustainable performance, translating research into practical, real-world change. Beyond program design, I also lead reflective, research-informed conversations that help leaders and teams apply insights on thriving and resilience in their everyday work.

ANZ

12-month program developing and evaluating a psychological safety campaign grounded in behavioural science

Pepperstone

6-month leadership program on mindfulness for sustainable peak performance

Fraser Health

30-day mindfulness program boosting psychological capital of healthcare workers

Monash Business School

Lunchtime brownbag series on thriving in the workplace

Australian Public Service Leaders

Workshop facilitation on cultivating wellbeing and psychological capacity at work

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Interested in working with me?

My work is not only research-based, but also deeply personal. My own experience of trauma has shaped the way I understand safety and human potential - grounding my approach in both empathy and evidence. 

 

If this is something that resonates with you or your organisation, I’d love to explore how we can work together.

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