Maria
Paviour's
OPTIMISM CONSULTING
Established 1994
What is right is also what works.
Applying science to human performance.
What is right is also what works.
Applying science to human performance.
Why today’s approach to wellbeing and performance is producing the outcomes organisations are trying to prevent
130,067 employees assessed across 23 organisations
Drawing on Human Capital Intelligence audits from 23 UK organisations and over 130,000 employees, we reveal why today's approach to wellbeing and performance is producing the very outcomes it's meant to prevent.
Published 21 June 2026 in partnership with the Policy Liaison Group on Workplace Wellbeing
We're a team of expert consultants, equipped with years of real-world experience and science-based tools to help you access the finance-grade people data you need for your organisation to flourish. We measure Human Capital Intelligence (HCI): the cognitive capacity your people can deploy; the value it creates; and the factors that help or hinder it — and we give your people the tools to measure it themselves.
When organisations fail with their people data, it's the individuals suffer.
Presenteeism can go undetected, strain is caught late, and the blockages of human potential are left unabated
Without sophisticated, evidence-based data, leadership decisions are uninformed, ineffective, and costly.
Explore the layers of your organisation with a forensic understanding of your people's wellbeing dynamics and business impact
Drive value creation with intelligently parsed data streams, upskill your leaders with tailored training
Equip your people with effective data, tools and resources to succeed, with maximum empowerment and minimal dependency
An HCI audit is a forensic and evidence-based way to understand if your data is sophisticated enough for finance-grade strategic and tactical decisions.
Without a clear understanding of this, value creation, risk mitigation, as well as wellbeing liability and costs will all be up in the air, and even drive a hole in your key business outcomes. An HCI audit is the best tool for a layered insight into the quality of your data, both strengths and shortcomings.
At the cutting edge of wellbeing research, your organisation may qualify for our free HCI audit. Arrange a free meeting with our team to find out more.
Without finance-grade people data, your organisation's mission could be at risk.
Book your audit
“The report back from our HCI Audit was fascinating. Every feedback conversation we had gave me goosebumps as it was so aligned with everything I had been thinking, but didn't have the science or the language to describe it until now. This is a massive game-changer for our Council.”
LOCAL AUTHORITY CLIENT
"We are a team of experts who enable Business leaders to leverage science and economics to build sustainable, dynamic organisational growth and success which has a powerful and net positive impact on people and the world."
Maria Paviour, Occupational Psychologist and Founder
Cari - The Commitment and Resilience Index - providing rich HCI data to measure and support wellbeing, engagement, and performance.
NeuChem Coaching: neuroscience based coaching for executives and team members. Get in the driving seat of your brain.
Wellbeing 1st Responder, Leading With Wellbeing. Building workplace communities where people can be the best version of themselves.
Build a workforce strategy that’s evidence-based, credible and truly aligned with what your organisation stands for.
Let's talk