Adaire Byerly is pushing boundaries for a positive work environment in Hollywood. She is recruited by top media and fashion agencies to uncover issues that affect organizations at large. Some of these pertain to communication and behavioral issues, the #MeToo movement and the circumstances set forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a licensed Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Neuroplasticity, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, Adaire manages to utilize her expertise to work towards a safer, harmonious work environment in the entertainment world. Discover more about her in a first with Social Diary Magazine.
What were some of the driving factors that encouraged you to take on Entertainment Mindframe?
Through my years as a professional model in the industry, I noticed psychological patterns and behaviors that were constantly projecting into business politics, negatively affecting the success of a company or an individual’s career. When you work in a world full of creative geniuses, you will experience the want for expression and acceptance rather than structure. You find a lot of ego, rebellious and stubborn behavior, pushback, gossip and power dynamics that make it difficult for anyone to properly conduct businesses.
From these observations, I began to dive into cognitive sciences to deeper understand the “why” behind the famous actions. I was determined to solve the mental limitations in the world of fame. After years of studying and licensing, I combined it with my personal knowledge of show business and created Entertainment Mindframe, which is the first company that uses cognitive sciences behind the scenes in entertainment, sports, media and fashion.
Why did you decide to leave the acting and modeling side of you behind to opt for a unique career path?
Though I had some pretty great success, being the talent was neither really fulfilling nor did it represent who I really was. I was very fortunate in my career to work with top tier professionals. Those relationships provided me the opportunities to be featured in the iconic magazine Vogue, and earn my eligibility to become a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Of course, those accolades are glamorous and rewarding in a surface way but they did not feed my true desire. I have always been a science lover and solution minded. I am also very analytical and calculated so I was naturally drawn to the operations of business. Because I was able to verbalize something that was intangible in a famous industry, I then had a responsibility to bridge the gap.
What loopholes were you able to bridge in Hollywood and how have they helped businesses thrive?
One of the biggest focus points up to now has been communication. Communication is both, verbal and nonverbal. In these industries, we have perfected the art of communication so well that we have inadvertently neglected the science of it. I often tell my clients that the purpose of communication is to become fluent with another person by speaking at their comprehension rather than enforcing your own. Teaching people to read body cues, eye movements, slight body motions and nervous tics have really enhanced effective communication.
Also, understanding our perception of others and the way an individual processes information really helps one see where the discrepancy lies. Most of the time in communicating, it is not necessarily the person saying something entirely wrong more than us being unable to process it correctly.
This has sped up production processes, landed my clients large contracts, helped eliminate people that were not truly dedicated through self-discovery, and allowed more productive work times due to mental boundaries and adjusting expectations. I have also seen a few clients transition the brand to bringing in consistent revenue and upgrading their business allies, ultimately raising the net worth of the companies.
How can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy help foster growth in an organization?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term psychotherapeutic technique that changes neural circuits related to negative emotions in the nervous system. Utilizing those techniques can help change toxic thinking patterns that may project into the way one does business.
I also utilize other practices such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Neuroplasticity. NLP is a psychological approach to quickly find solutions in communicating and perceiving the world around you. Neuroplasticity is the ability for the neurons in the brain to change, and how information travels through the nervous system.
Having Psychologists and Neuroscientists as resources to assist in developing programs and teachings for professionals in the world of fame, is also another layer of depth when it comes to human behavior and creating long-term change for clients.
How well have the companies you have assisted responded to your input strategies?
Majority of the clients I have worked with have been very receptive but I believe that has to do with my approach. If you walk into a room full of creative geniuses like you do a corporate office, and tell them things are going to change, they will immediately shut you out mentally. So we have to understand the way creative people work.
Creative individuals have a need to express and have freedom, so I always assure them that the change we are making will not interfere with their creativity. It is extremely important to understand the threshold and to not limit creativity with policies and structure.
I have had a few push backs with individuals on certain teams but it is common to have at least one large ego that will challenge you. For the most part, the companies desired a major change because they started to see a drop in revenue and noticed that everyone was dreading coming to work.
Do you feel that the need of organizational psychologists is imperative in entertainment centered workplaces?
In a more corporate setting, I do because human behavior and interaction can easily be evaluated and managed that way. There are some organizations or industrial psychologists in some of the larger brands in certain departments, but it is usually for the company to see a certain result in a department or to meet statistics. At least in the world of show business I can say that.
Believe it or not, there are many organizations that keep a lot of internal issues hidden because of the repercussions and potential of harming the brand’s image. Sometimes it is not always the company process as much as it is the company psychologically adhering to the person with the largest ego or most power.
When you are on the fast-paced side of the industry, where you are dealing with celebrities or large opportunities for teams, you will see how behavior can drastically change. If organizational psychologists have the ability to say no, have thick skin and can keep up with the pace of the industry, I do think it could be very beneficial.
Quick Bits
Describe yourself in three words
Logician, unyielding and steadfast.
A thing you dislike about the modeling world?
Egos and power plays of people in the industry.
How would you classify your personal style?
Tomboy as an occasional vintage diva.
What does a day in the life of Adaire look like?
Wake up between 4:30am and 5:00am, do majority of my work before 12:00PM and leave the rest of the day to speak to industry professionals, do research or brainstorm with my team of scientists.
Three things on your to-do list?
Conduct a symphony orchestra for one concert, join a local sports league and interview famous scientists.
Your all-time favorite book?
The Powers of Evil by Richard Cavendish
Your fitness mantra, if any?
I don’t have a mantra, but I do like to use the term from Joe Rogan when he says, “Conquer your inner bitch.”
