LinkedIn Voices: John Amaechi OBE
Professor John Amaechi OBE is a respected organizational psychologist, bestselling author, speaker, and founder of APS Intelligence Ltd, a global consultancy helping organizations create ethical, high-performing, and inclusive cultures.
He is also a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Professor of Leadership (HC) at the University of Exeter Business School, and a Fellow of the CIPD, the Royal Society for Public Health, and the Association of Business Psychologists.
Before becoming a thought leader in psychology and leadership, Amaechi made history as the first Briton to play in the NBA, representing teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Utah Jazz. His transition from elite sports to organizational science embodies the very essence of his philosophy: leadership excellence is learned, not inherited.
His bestselling books "The Promises of Giants and It’s Not Magic: The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders" capture this belief. Both have become essential reading for executives, coaches, and professionals seeking to elevate performance without compromising human dignity.
His mission?
“To help people realize that extraordinary leadership doesn’t come from privilege or power, it comes from choosing to act with courage, compassion, and clarity.”
From Basketball to Behavioral Science
Amaechi’s journey began not in a classroom, but on a basketball court. As a 6’10” athlete from Stockport, England, he defied the odds to become an undrafted NBA player who started in his first season, a testament to his resilience and self-belief.
Yet, after a successful professional sports career in the U.S. and Europe, John walked away from fame to pursue a deeper calling: understanding what truly drives human behavior and performance.
He earned a degree in psychology, followed by advanced studies in organizational psychology, and founded APS Intelligence in 2006; a consultancy dedicated to helping leaders transform themselves and their organizations through science-based insights and inclusive leadership frameworks.
Today, his clients include global corporations, public sector institutions, and leading universities. His work consistently bridges psychology and leadership, reminding executives that empathy, ethics, and evidence are not soft skills but, they are strategic advantages.
Mission: Leadership Transformation at Scale
At APS Intelligence, Amaechi and his team specialize in executive coaching, behavioral change, and culture transformation; helping companies move from performative inclusion to authentic belonging.
Their programs are designed to equip leaders with the tools to:
Build ethical, high-performing teams
Lead with emotional intelligence
Create cultures of accountability
Align values with performance
Through his books, keynotes, and consultancy, Amaechi advances a clear philosophy:
“Leadership is not about charisma or control; it’s about the consistent courage to do what’s right, especially when it’s hard.”
His newest book, It’s Not Magic, captures that essence. It dismantles the myth that leadership brilliance is innate and shows how “ordinary” human skills such as listening, reflection, and integrity are the foundation of extraordinary leadership.
Themes & Message Pillars
1. Ordinary Skills, Extraordinary Leaders
Amaechi rejects the idea that great leaders are born with special talents. He teaches that skills like empathy, listening, and curiosity, when practiced with discipline, create the foundation for exceptional leadership.
2. Inclusion as a Performance Driver
For John, inclusion isn’t a moral accessory; it’s a measurable driver of performance. He challenges leaders to go beyond diversity checklists and build environments where every individual can thrive.
“Belonging isn’t about comfort, it’s about contribution. People perform best when they feel valued and seen.”
3. Courage Over Compliance
Amaechi often warns against “tick-box leadership”, the tendency to follow processes rather than purpose. True leadership, he argues, demands moral courage: the willingness to challenge bias, question the status quo, and prioritize integrity over convenience.
4. Psychology in Practice
Every insight Amaechi shares is grounded in behavioral science. Whether discussing team dynamics, bias, or resilience, his work transforms abstract psychology into practical frameworks leaders can apply immediately.
LinkedIn Content Strategy: Humanized Thought Leadership
On LinkedIn, John Amaechi’s presence is a masterclass in credibility and compassion. His posts are reflective, precise, and deeply human, drawing from lived experience, psychological research, and the realities of organizational life.
Strategy Highlights:
Narrative-driven Reflection: Every post begins with a story: A moment from his lectures, a client experience, or even an observation at a café, that leads into a universal leadership lesson.
Intellectual Empathy: He speaks to leaders, not at them. His tone is assertive yet empathetic, making complex psychology accessible.
Consistency of Voice: Across all his posts, whether about fear, inclusion, or moral courage, his brand voice remains calm, wise, and authoritative.
Book Integration: Each thought post subtly reinforces the core themes of It’s Not Magic, turning philosophy into action.
Tone & Style:
Reflective, evidence-based, and compassionate.
Anchored in real-world behavioral science.
Invites dialogue rather than dictating opinion.
Some of His Posts:
Not because there aren’t great leaders out there, there are.
But because too many people have mistaken power for permission. To act without consequence or to harm… | John Amaechi OBE
Why John Amaechi OBE Matters?
John Amaechi represents a new model of leadership, one that unites science, empathy, and accountability. His journey from professional athlete to world-renowned psychologist underscores a universal truth: leadership is learned through service, not status.
In a world obsessed with speed and scale, he reminds us that depth and dignity are what sustain long-term success. His philosophy that "leadership is not magic but method" is transforming boardrooms and cultures across the globe.
“Power is not a birthright. It is conferred, and it can be withdrawn.” - John Amaechi OBE
Through his work, he continues to redefine how we think about leadership; not as dominance, but as stewardship; not as authority, but as impact.
Some of His Talks
Profile Summary
Info | Detail |
Name | Professor John Amaechi OBE |
Title | Founder & CEO, APS Intelligence Ltd |
Focus | Organizational Psychology, Leadership Transformation, Inclusive Culture |
Experience | 20+ years in leadership psychology, executive coaching, and cultural transformation |
Previous Career | Former NBA player (Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz) |
Platform Reach | 700K+ combined followers across LinkedIn and media platforms |
Notable Achievements | Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), NYT & Sunday Times bestselling author, Harvard Humanist of the Year |
Books | It’s Not Magic, The Promises of Giants, Man in the Middle |
Website |
