Terence Sexton

PhD Student

Biography

Terence works as a Leadership Psychologist and has a keen interest in exploring and developing consciousness. Terence started his career by working in the construction industry for 12 years. His first role was as a building site manager. Since then, Terence has gained over 25 years of experience working as a Leadership Psychologist in a wide range of industries. He mainly now works with leaders, engaging them in Executive Profiling, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development. Terry also develops teams and advises leaders on organisational development. In recent years, his focus has been on sustainable leadership, enabling leaders to co-create a better future for us all.

Terence is a member of the British Psychological Society and a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Kent and the Centre for Alternative Technology.  Terence holds a BSc. Hons. in Psychology, an MSc. in Occupational Psychology and an MBA.  He has trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Gestalt Coaching, Buddhist Psychotherapy and Psychosynthesis.  Terry has also gained a Certificate in Leadership and Facilitation from Schumacher College.

PhD research

Terence’s research is a cooperative inquiry into how changemakers can develop their consciousness.

If society is to overcome its current crises, we need changemakers who can lift us onto a sustainable path. As most changemakers operate from the conventional stages of consciousness, they cannot cope with the complexity we are now facing.  Therefore, we now need changemakers to develop their consciousness to the post-conventional stages.

Previous research tends to adhere to a materialist perspective that believes the brain produces consciousness. This perspective has left us separated from each other and nature, which underlies our human alienation and ecological devastation.  If consciousness is considered to transcend the brain, working from this perspective could facilitate changemakers working with greater interconnectivity. This led Terence to his research question:

How can changemakers develop their consciousness to the post-conventional stages, within a post-material worldview, in ways they and others believe can enhance their ability to make a positive difference in the world? 

Terence’s research aims are to:

1. Explore the development of consciousness in relation to leadership performance.
2. Explore the effectiveness of the methods change-makers use to develop their consciousness.
3. Create a combination of methods that develop changemakers’ consciousness that is inclusive.

Publications

Sexton, T. (2021). Consciousness Beyond Consumerism: A Psychological Path to Sustainability. Aqumens Publishing.