Compulsive Loops: How Hidden Habits Undermine Focus, Health, and Performance

Compulsive patterns show up as overwork, distraction, and avoidance. This keynote explains how these behaviours quietly erode performance and what organisations can do to interrupt them early.

Nick Bowditch is a psychologist and behavioural science researcher specialising in disengagement, burnout, and human risk. 

What This Keynote Is About

Compulsive behaviour at work is rarely recognised for what it is. It often looks like dedication, responsiveness, or resilience — working longer hours, staying constantly available, or avoiding difficult decisions by staying busy.

This keynote explores how hidden compulsive loops develop under pressure, why willpower-based solutions fail, and how these patterns increase risk to performance, safety, health, and judgement.

Rather than framing the issue as a motivation or discipline problem, the session focuses on the conditions that reinforce unhealthy loops and how leaders can disrupt them before they become embedded.

What Audiences Learn

  • Recognise early signs of compulsive behaviour affecting performance and safety.

  • Apply practical strategies to support healthier, more sustainable work habits.

  • Understand why willpower-based solutions tend to fail.

Keynote Details

Typical Audience

Senior leaders
Safety and Risk Teams
HR & Wellbeing
Health and Education Sectors
Organisations Managing High Cognitive Load or Fatigue Risk.

Format

Keynote presentation
(45–60 minutes)

Optional breakout or executive briefing available.

Investment

Keynote fees typically range from $5,000–$7,000 AUD, depending on event size, location, and format.

Check Speaking Availability

If this keynote sounds like the right fit, you can check Nick’s availability NOW with his agent, Carson White, from Leading Voice Speaker Management. Carson will personally review all enquiries and respond within 24-48 hours. All enquiries are obligation-free. If you prefer, you can also call Carson directly on 0499 811 817.

Nick’s Other Keynotes

Stay, Stray, Return: Why People Disengage – And How To Spot It Early

People rarely disengage suddenly. They withdraw before they quit, burnout, or fail. This keynote explains why organisations miss early warning signs of disengagement and how leaders can respond before it becomes costly. 

Resilience That Sticks: Preventing Burnout Before Performance Slips

Burnout is predictable.

This keynote explains why most resilience programs fail and how leaders can prevent burnout by addressing systemic risk before performance declines.

  The Human Advantage in an AI World: Judgement, Risk, and Decision Failure

AI accelerates decisions, but over-trust and disengaged judgement create risk. This keynote explains where AI helps, where it introduces human risk, and how leaders keep humans meaningfully in the loop.