Taking Positions in the Organization

Synopsis:

This volume provides a positive and productive model for helping people to move out of static positions or difficult relationships in the workplace. Informed by systemic thinking and social constructionism, the authors discuss how it is possible to create realities through dialogue and to enable greater opportunities for the employee, manager and consultant alike. Taking Positions in the Organization uses a model of semantic polarities to create simple solutions to complex problems in a format which will inform and enthuse all its readers.

Description:

‘The consultants, David Campbell and Marianne Groenbaek, bring to organizations a new way of thinking that invites the workplace to be inspirational and innovative in its approach to resolving workplace problems. The model of Semantic Polarities presented in this book has application in any instance in which communication is stuck in opposing certainties, trenchant truths, or the inherent belief that one is ‘right’ and the other ‘wrong’. But the seduction of the book lies in the simplicity of its solutions, the accessibility of its ideas and the practical way it can help people to understand why they behave the way they do in the workplace and how behaviour changes when thinking changes.’
- Marie Murray, Director of Psychology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin and Irish Times Health Supplement Columnist

‘Here is a rich treasury of experience, collaboration and presentation for managers, organizational staff, leaders and organizational cultures. The authors, coming from two different cultures, Danish and English, blend together their experiences of working in organizations creatively. Complexity is honoured and ways of going on productively are created. The practice examples are inspiring, making it possible to work in similar ways without difficulty. So it becomes like a handbook. This book is for living with. I can imagine referring to it again and again to learn ways of giving working people energy and direction to go forward in fruitful ways.’
- Peter Lang, Co-Director, KCC Foundation

‘This book is an important contribution to the increasingly significant social constructionist school within systems thinking. Semantic Polarities can be employed to encourage productive conversations in organizations leading to win-win outcomes and the generation of creative ways forward.’
- Michael C. Jackson, Professor of Management Systems; Dean, Hull University Business School

Notes about the author(s):

David Campbell was a consultant clinical psychologist based at the Tavistock Clinic in London. In addition to a clinical practice, he developed training courses in supervision, professional doctorate research, and Master’s-level family therapy training. He established a long-standing international practice as a management and leadership trainer and organizational consultant.