About Birkman
Birkman is an organizational performance company that gives teams and organizations the tools to do their best work together. Companies that use Birkman find that their employees are able to communicate better with each other, avoid stress and burnout, collaborate more effectively, hit their goals and KPIs regularly, and ultimately stay with the organization longer, reducing turnover.
Invented in 1951 by innovative organizational psychologist Dr. Roger W. Birkman, The Birkman Method remains a preferred instrument to better understand interpersonal dynamics and achieve higher performance through positive psychology. It is used widely in the fields of career coaching, leadership development, human resources management, and organizational design today.
Learn More About Birkman1944
WWII Bomber Pilot Shot Down
On May 27, Dr. Roger Birkman was piloting a B-17 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force over Belgium, where he was shot down with a crew of nine others. After finding safety and escaping Nazi forces, he returned home to the U.S.
After returning and meeting with the members who survived, he realized this experience allowed him a glimpse into human behavior: those on his crew had different visual and interpersonal perceptions than one another. Driven by his war-time experiences, he decided to study psychology.
1951
The Creation of a Unique Methodology
After completing his Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of Houston, Dr. Birkman founded Birkman and Associates (now Birkman International).
His unique methodology assesses personality and perception with an emphasis on positive psychology, which other assessments do not do. The Birkman Method measured one’s behaviors in how they are perceived, their needs to be most productive and effective, and stress behaviors, which occurs when one’s needs are not met.
The Birkman Method assessment is the only assessment to reveal an individual’s needs–something that is invisible to those around us.
1994
The Global Expansion
Organizations and independent consultants all over the world started to use The Birkman Method, driving the name to change from Birkman and Associates to Birkman International.
2002
Continuing the Vision
After 50 years as President and CEO, Dr. Roger Birkman appoints his daughter, Sharon Birkman, as President and CEO.
Sharon’s goals were to improve the customer experience and business value for organizations to optimize human capital, all while continuing her father’s vision.
2016
Delving into In-Depth Personality Data
The release of the Birkman Signature Report gave organizations the in-depth data they needed to understand employees’ behaviors, needs, and motivations.
Tackling all levels of the organization and all applications, such as talent selection and alignment, talent development, team performance, and leadership development, provided companies a way to do better work.
2019
Developing Teams Through Purpose, Clarity, and Psychological Safety
The launch of the High-Performing Teams program allowed teams to understand three dimensions of personality from an individual and team perspective, uncovering strengths and opportunities for development.
Developed to help teams collaborate more effectively in agile environments, the program emphasizes the need for a foundation of high-performance by creating a common purpose and continuously working on an environment of clarity and psychological safety.
2022
Expanding Our Global Impact
After 20 years as President and CEO, Sharon Birkman appoints third-generation Birkman, Amy Shepley, to spread the message of human empowerment through positive psychology as President of the organization. She also appointed son-in-law Mark Huber as CEO to provide leadership and vision for the business.
Today, driven by the growth and success of Birkman customers, our company continues to expand our global impact and live out Dr. Birkman’s dream to empower individuals, teams, leaders, and communities worldwide.
How We See the World Differently
Our culture and people matter deeply to us. As a people-focused company, our mission is to ensure we have created an workplace environment that helps our employees grow and develop all while utilizing their strengths.
That’s why our mission matters to us. It’s our goal to see the world differently while being ourselves and creating change that matters.
Integrity is Our Foundation
We move fast and lead others because we value trust and doing the right thing.
Curiosity is Our Tradecraft
We ask big questions and challenge the status quo.
Personality Makes Us Whole
We own who we are, the decisions we make, and the actions we take.
Community is Where We Connect
We enrich lives and the world we serve.
Boldly is How We Operate
We take positions and action designed to advance our vision and serve our clients, consultants, and the company.
Interested in a Career at Birkman? Can You See Yourself Fitting In?
We are proud winners of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For Award.
Birkman International provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Send your resume to careers@birkman.com if you are interested in working with us.
Discover the Science Behind The Birkman Method
It’s important to us to continue to live out our founder’s legacy that he started in 1951.
Because Birkman is backed by over 70 years of research and is grounded in positive psychology, it’s up to us to ensure our products, research, and development continue to reflect Dr. Roger Birkman.
Learn About Our Commitment to Validity
