The Dynamics of Change: Tavistock Approaches to Improving Social Systems

ISBN-13: 9781780490601 / Angielski / Miękka / 2013 / 288 str.

Mannie Sher

Opis

This is a book that aligns theory and practice. Mannie Sher shares numerous examples of work explaining how systems psychodynamics concepts influence practice for the benefit of clients and the social good. In particular, he demonstrates how systems psychodynamic concepts enable understanding of beneath-the-surface forces in large systems that promote significant observable improvement in behaviour and performance.

The book offers an overview of the central feature of systems psychodynamics - the ubiquitous presence of anxieties and the mobilization of institutional and social defense systems against them - a set of inspired ideas that have defined 'Tavistock' social science research methodologies, organisational change initiatives and executive coaching encounters for nearly a century.

The four sections of the book reflect the author's professional journey across both Tavistock institutions - the Tavistock Clinic from 1971 to 1976 - public sector psychotherapy (Section 2) - and the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations from 1997 - group relations (Section 3); organisational development and change (Section 4); and board evaluation (Section 5).

The work is also a tribute to Pierre Turquet, Robert Gosling and Mary Barker at the Clinic and Eric Miller, Isabel Menzies Lyth and Gordon Lawrence at the Institute who inspired the author and who were influential in generating and shaping systems psychodynamics thinking - the confluence of dominant framing perspectives of organisational and social systems thinking and psychoanalytic perspectives on individual mental processes and group and social dynamics. It also salutes the many others in the international group relations and organisational development networks who are tested daily in their work by the hidden unconscious processes of their client systems.

Spis treści

About the Author -- Introduction -- Psychotherapy in the Public Sector -- Psychiatric social work and general practice -- Counselling and psychotherapy in primary healthcare: key professional issues -- Ethical issues for psychotherapists working in organisations -- Group Relations -- Splits, extrusion and integration: the impact of “potential space” for group relations and sponsoring institutions -- Group relations conferences: reviewing and exploring theory, design, role-taking, and application -- From groups to group relations: Bion’s contribution to the Tavistock–“Leicester” conferences -- Organisational Development and Change Consultancy -- In search of the “structure that reflects”: promoting organisational reflection practices in a UK health authority -- Hopes, fears, and reality in a merger of two charities -- Boardroom Evaluation -- Corruption: aberration or an inevitable part of the human condition? Insights from a “Tavistock” approach -- Psychological and behavioural elements in board performance -- Inside the minds of the money minders: deciphering reflections on money, behaviour, and leadership in the financial crisis of 2007–2010 *

O autorze

Sher, Mannie