Main description:

The Art and Science of Working Together: Practising Group Analysis in Teams and Organizations is a primary resource for anyone wishing to learn more about the complex unconscious dynamics of organizations, providing a practical guide for organizational work, a guide to how to improve things, and a strong theoretical foundation in the group analytic concept of the 'tripartite matrix'.

Group analysis is a highly developed science of group relationships, which allows complexity and systems perspectives to be held in mind alongside organizational psychology, strategic development and business wisdom. Organized into eight sections, the book describes the essence of organizational group analysis, including the art of conversation, leadership, ethical issues in team working, and working with whole organizations. It addresses issues such as 'us-and-them' dynamics, the nature of systems boundaries, and the relationship between an organization and its context.

Leaders and leading consultants give case studies, describing their thinking as they work, to illustrate the theory in action. This essential new resource will allow clinically trained practitioners to extend their scope into organizational work, and all coaches and leaders to benefit from knowledge of the group analytic discipline. It is essential reading for consultants and coaches working with teams and organizations, and for leaders within organizations.

Contents:

NILGA Series editor's foreword Earl Hopper

I Editor's introduction: what group analysis can offer in organisational work

1 Coming to group analysis and using this book Christine Thornton

2 Group analytic praxis in organizations

Christine Thornton

3 Persecutor, victim, rescuer: imperfect consulting in an imperfect world Christine Thornton

4 Group analytic praxis and persecutor, victim, rescuer Christine Thornton

II The art of conversation: complexity, the matrix and 'parallel process'

5 The art of conversation: group analytic interventions in organisational life

Chris Rance

6 Complex reflections: notes on 'parallel process' and the group matrix in group analytic organizational consultancy David Wood

III The wider organisational context

7 Stability or chaos, authoritarianism or dialogue: towards a matrix of critical and creative thought at a time of uncertainty and threat Dick Blackwell

8 'Practising disappointment': from reflection to action in organizations and communities Chris Scanlon

IV Leadership, authority and power

9 Using groups in leadership: bringing practice into theory

Clare Gerada

10 Another fine mess you've gotten me into: effective leadership in a difficult place Raman Kapur

11 Leadership and "Another fine mess" by Raman Kapur

Morris Nitsun

12 Creative chaos: containing transforming space in Kid's Company and other stories

Farideh Dizadji

V Inside the practitioner's mind: how we frame praxis

13 Inside out Chris Powell

14 Context and the interpretive act: developing the language of the matrix for working in and with organizations Christine Oliver

15 Joining the organisational game: five questions Margaret Smith

VI Praxis and ethical issues in team working

16 Turning a blind eye: on personal and professional boundaries in mental health settings groups Ewa Wojciechowska

17 Values in practice: dilemmas in reflective practice Ian Simpson and Gwen Adshead

18 Working with multi-cultural groups in organisations: issues of power and difference Vince Leahy and Abdullah Mia

VII Working with whole organisations

19 A conversation with Earl Hopper Earl Hopper and Christine Thornton

20 Creating thinking spaces in organisations: dynamic administration in groups large and small Cynthia Rogers

21 Large groups the group analytic way Gerhard Wilke

22 Whole organisations, mergers and the matrix: translucent boundaries and 'tweaking' culture creatively

Christine Thornton and Gerhard Wilke

23 Translucent boundaries, leaders and consultants: how to work with whole organizations Gerhard Wilke and Christine

Thornton

VIII The ending

24 The end is in the beginning: perspectives from two group analytic consultants Christine Thornton and Gerhard Wilke