A reading list: Psychodynamic Lenses on Organizations
I have always found the organizations I have worked in to be complex structures by turns frustrating and fascinating. I am attracted to books and authors who offer some possibility of making sense of it all. I share some of the ones I have found most useful here. They all, with the exception of one, look at organizations using psychodynamic theory and concepts.
I have always found the organizations I have worked in to be complex structures by turns frustrating and fascinating. I am attracted to books and authors who offer some possibility of making sense of it all. I share some of the ones I have found most useful here. They all, with the exception of one, look at organizations using psychodynamic theory and concepts.
The Tavistock was founded in 1920 and is one of the few publicly funded institutions in the UK where a psychoanalytic approach underpins therapeutic work with adults and children. Armstrong worked in the Tavistock Consultancy Service dedicated to applying a psychoanalytic lens to groups and institutions with the aim of improving their work.
I enjoyed Chapter 7 on Emotions in Organizations: disturbance or intelligence? ‘It seems to me that emotions in organizations including all the strategies of defence, denial, projection, and withdrawal - yield intelligence. And it is because they yield intelligence in this way that they may be worth our and our client’s close attention.’ (page 93)
David Armstrong, (2005). Organization in the Mind: Psychoanalysis, Group Relations and Organizational Consultancy. Karnac Books Ltd.
Another collection of chapters from writers from the Tavistock divided into sections on leadership, change and creativity, working relations in a new organizational order and working with the experience of vulnerability.
Chapter Four: ‘What is the emotional cost of distributed leadership?’ And Chapter Seven: ‘The vanishing organization: organizational containment in a networked world’ offer interesting insight into the emotional impact and consequences of flattened and networked organizational structures which are integral to Agile production and contemporary management.
Huffington et al, (eds) (2004). Working Below the Surface, the Emotional Life of Contemporary Organizations. Karnac Books Ltd.
Many of the examples relate to experiences in public sector organizations and especially in hospitals. I still think the ideas presented are useful in the HR context of other kinds of organizations since HR practitioners, on the whole, identify themselves as people who enjoy helping others.
Anton Obholzer and Vega Zagier Roberts (eds), (1994). ‘The Unconscious at Work: Individual and Organizational Stress in the Human Services’. Routledge.
This book is described as an introduction and really does present systems psychodynamic ideas in accessible language. Section two on relationships, really has helped me understand sometimes difficult aspects of organizational life and section 7 on trust presents the underlying dynamics and origins of this most elusive of concepts in organizational life.
Lionel F. Stapley, (2006). ‘Individuals, Groups and Organizations Beneath the Surface: an introduction’. Karnac Books Ltd
Oshry is a sociologist and draws lessons on power dynamics in working groups based on observational studies with groups in many settings naturalistic and constructed. If the first 3 books in this list try to go ‘below’ the surface, Oshry stays resolutely ‘at the surface’ but the lessons he draws on leadership are equally profound.
I had the privilege of attending the ‘Seeing Systems’ workshop led by Barry and his wife Karen and I still find it one of the most useful ways of understanding and helping others understand and empathize with the consequences of different positions of power in organizations large and small.
Barry Oshry, (1999). Leading Systems: lessons from the power lab. Barrett Koehler Inc
Gabriel and other contributing authors applying psychodynamic thinking to all kinds of organizations in an accessible way. Chapter 10 on ‘psychoanalysis and ethics in organizations’ is so relevant for understanding the organizational scandals where ethical frameworks failed or were conspicuously absent in a range of organizations in the industrial, financial and energy sectors.
There is also a glossary at the end of this book which is a useful refresher on the psychoanalytic concepts and ideas used in understanding organizations from the perspective.
Yiannis Gabriel (ed), (1999). ‘Organizations In depth’ Sage publications.
This book seeks to take an international perspective on organizational life by collecting contributions from authors in the UK, North America, France , Italy and South America. Chapter 3, ‘Contribution from North America (1) The Modern Project and the Feminization of Men’ is particularly provocative and intriguing.
R.D. Hinshelwood and Marco Chiesa, (eds.) (2001). ‘Organisations, Anxieties & Defences’. Routledge.
A reading list: concepts from psychotherapy useful in coaching
Concepts from Psychotherapy useful in building and understanding coaching.
So many elements of good practice in coaching are built on theoretical concepts which first emerged from studying therapeutic relationships. Here are books which allow a ‘deep dive’ into some of them.
Concepts from Psychotherapy useful in building and understanding coaching.
So many elements of good practice in coaching are built on theoretical concepts which first emerged from studying therapeutic relationships. Here are books which allow a ‘deep dive’ into some of them.
Agreeing objectives for coaching programmes and individual sessions is seen as important for successful outcomes, indeed many coaching models often described in acronyms, include an ‘O’ for Objective or Outcome: OSKAR, GROW, COACh are examples. In this book two experienced therapists exchange ideas on the main orientations to objective setting in psychotherapy, the influence of context on objective setting and how outcomes can be evaluated and used as a source of learning and professional development.
Jenifer Elton Wilson and Gabrielle Syme. (2006). Objectives and Outcomes, Questioning the Practice of Therapy. Open University Press.
So many elements beyond activities or conversation form part of coaching relationships. In counseling and psychotherapy, these are often referred to as ‘the frame’.
In coaching it might include things like the setting for the coaching sessions, fixed times and durations, holiday breaks, the fee charged, the origin of the coaching relationship - part of a leadership development programme, an organizationally sponsored session with a remedial aim, or a personally financed development initiative, agreements in relation to confidentiality, the extent to which managers and organizational stakeholders are involved and informed of the progress and outcomes of coaching and so on.
The flexibility demanded of coaches and their clients with busy work roles and the developmental aim of coaching as opposed to the healing, reparative aims of therapy mean that the frame is not often explicitly considered in coaching literature. I found it useful, though, in thinking about work with clients that included ‘breaks’ in the frame of various kinds.
Anne Gray. (1994). An introduction to the therapeutic frame. Routledge.
Impasses and moments of feeling stuck happen in coaching relationships as much as therapeutic ones. Elkind provides many examples of ruptures in therapeutic relationships and how they have ended or been resolved. Whilst a specialist book which presupposes some knowledge of psychotherapy, I find the examples meaningful and they helped me understand my own reactions to conflict, in particular.
Sue Nathanson Elkind. (1992). Resolving impasses in Therapeutic Relationships. The Guilford Press.
A book which explains some of the philosophical origins of psychotherapy itself.
Research requires an understanding of thinking concerning the origins of knowledge and of how the method chosen to pursue it is appropriate for the questions being asked. A basic knowledge of the main streams of philosophical thought are therefore useful. I struggled with this until this book was recommended to me. Each chapter covers a major philosopher, provides key points from their work and their application to counseling and psychotherapy.
An example for Immanuel Kant:
A selection of Key Points
‘There is no such thing as direct observation. Presuppositions cannot, even in principle, be ‘put to one side’.
Observations are always, by their very nature, constructions of events.
Constructions of human perception are determined by individual mental sets and also by categories of thinking that we all share and cannot avoid.’ (Howard, page 197)
Some applications of these:
‘Counselors are taught to put their agendas to one side. Kant shows that we must consider what we bring to any situation that cannot, in principle be set aside.
Given that we live and develop in societies, personal development cannot divorce itself from consideration of what ‘ought’ to be.’ (Howard, page 197)
Alex Howard. (2000). Philosophy for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Palgrave.
Some of the most well known thought leaders on the theory and practice of therapy in the UK make contributions in this hand book. Each provides a chapter on her or his specialist area. Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Existential, Gestalt, Cognitive and Transactional Analysis approaches are all described from a theoretical and practical perspective with accompanying case studies.
So many coaching interventions have their origins in these theories and particularly practices, that it is interesting to have a basic understanding of the most important.
Windy Dryden (ed.). (1996). Handbook of Individual Therapy. Sage Publications Ltd.
A reading list on experiences of therapy
Therapists usually write the experiences of therapy that I have come across. One exception that I enjoyed reading very much is the ‘Words To Say It’ by Marie Cardinal listed below. I am always fascinated by the insight offered into therapist thought and feeling which accompany the description of relationships and often, the healing process.
Therapists usually write the experiences of therapy that I have come across. One exception that I enjoyed reading very much is the ‘Words To Say It’ by Marie Cardinal listed below. She recounts her experience from a client perspective. I am always fascinated by the insight offered into therapist thought and feeling which accompany the description of relationships and, often, the healing process.
Engaging stories of therapy with individual clients.
Lapworth, P. (2011) Tales from the Therapy Room: Shrink-Wrapped, Sage Publications
This book accompanied the BBC Radio 4 programme where Susie recorded improvised sessions with actors who had been briefed to present with specific issues. These sessions were electrifying as were Susie Orbach’s reflections on her choice points in the sessions.
Orbach, S. (2016) In therapy: how conversations with psychotherapists really work, Profile Books
A psychoanalyst shares stories from his 25 year career in a thoughtful and jargon free way. I really enjoyed listening to these stories as the narration is well paced and the stories remained with me for a long time after I had finished listening to this audio book.
Grosz, Stephen, (2013) The Examined Life: How we Lose and Find Ourselves, Audible Audio book, narrator Peter Marinker
Yalom’s stories are so well crafted and his authenticity in sharing his experience of his clients is impressive.
Yalom, I (2015) Creatures of a Day and other tales of psychotherapy, Piatkus Books
Yalom, I (2000) Momma and the Meaning of Life: tales of psychotherapy, Piatkus Books
Yalom, I (1991) Love’s Executioner and other tales of psychotherapy, Penguin Books
A wonderful account of the impact of traditional psychoanalytic treatment on one woman’s life.
Cardinal, M. (1984) The Words to Say It, Picador
This is not an account of therapy exclusively but includes information on Saks’ treatment for schizophrenia.
Saks, E.R. (2007) The Centre Cannot Hold, Virago Press.
Casement’s books are not accounts of therapy but they include many sensitive summaries of therapy sessions to illustrate technical points.
Casement, P. (1985) On Learning from the Patient, Routledge.
Casement, P. (2014)Further Learning from the Patient, The Analytic Space and Process, Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
A reading list on counselor and therapist experience
I am always fascinated by the life stories of counselors and psychotherapists. As I read them I feel that the authors are sharing with me a life time of wisdom. They provide insight into how others have navigated the challenges and celebrated the joys of their client relationships. They also offer extraordinary views of self reflexive minds at work.
I am always fascinated by the life stories of counselors and psychotherapists. As I read them I feel privileged as if the authors are sharing with me a life time of wisdom. Their stories provide insight into how they and others have navigated the challenges and celebrated the joys of their client relationships. They also offer extraordinary views of self reflexive minds at work.
Yalom is a master story teller and he uses his skills to maximum effect in his memoir.
Yalom, I.D. (2017) Becoming Myself: A Psychiatrist’s Memoir, Basic Books.
More of a guide for therapists in the making but very much based on Cozolino’s own journey.
Cozolino, L (2004) The Making of a Therapist: A practical guide for the Inner Journey, WW Norton.
I learned so much from this book and Casement’s other volumes, ‘On learning from the patient’ and ‘Further learning from the patient’. His evident expertise and humility leave me in awe each time I re read his accounts.
Casement, P. (2006) Learning From Life: Becoming a Psychoanalyst.
More advice for therapists based on the author’s life and experiences with clients.
Kottler, A.J. (2010) On Being a Therapist, Edition 4 Jossey-Bass.
This is the only account in my library by a woman. The warmth that Pipher transmits to her imaginary trainees is impressive, as is the compassion she shows to her patients.
Pipher, M. (2003)Letters to a Young Therapist, Basic Books.
McLaughlin’s account of his early life and the way it impacted his work as a therapist is raw and profoundly moving.
McLaughlin, J. T. (2005)The Healer’s Bent: Solitude and Dialogue in the Clinical Encounter.
7 podcasts for HR professionals
In 2020 podcasting seemed to come into its own, perhaps because of needing to connect asynchronously, more time to listen and for others more time to make. These are the ones I return to when looking for the motivational boost that comes from listening to serious and well-grounded discussion between HR professionals.
In 2020 podcasting seemed to come into its own. These are the ones I return to when looking for the motivational boost that comes from listening to serious and well-grounded discussion between HR professionals and other experts.
CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) produce a monthly podcast on a current HR topic.
The future of work podcast is a podcast where Jacob Morgan brings energy and optimism to a range of HR topics with an emphasis on leadership.
Digital HR leaders is where David Green shines a spotlight on the strengthening of HR decision making through an increased and nuanced use of HR analytics.
Deloitte produce the ‘Capital H’ podcast: putting humans at the center of work.
Work life with Adam Grant explores organizational culture and psychology in quite deep conversations with a range of different guests.
https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/worklife-with-adam-grant/id1346314086?l=en
In the disruptive HR podcast Lucy Adams interviews HR leaders who are doing HR in a different and potentially disruptive way.
https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/disruptive-hr-podcasts/id1224217097?l=en
The HBR (Harvard Business Review) Women at Work podcast looks at issues currently affecting women in the workplace.
https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/women-at-work/id1336174427?l=en
A reading list for Psychologically Informed Coaching
This is a list of some of the books on coaching theory and practice which I came across during my training and career as a coach. I am always drawn to those which make explicit the links between psychological theory and practice. Knowing that a theory underpins a suggested technique or exercise, helps me make a better choice about using it and also reassures me that the outcome may be more successful as a result.
This is a list of some of the books on coaching theory and practice which I came across during my training and career as a coach. I am always drawn to those which make explicit the links between psychological theory and practice. Knowing that a theory underpins a suggested technique or exercise, helps me make a better choice about using it and also reassures me that the outcome may be more successful as a result.
An approach to coaching (Organizational Role Analysis) which supports understanding of individual dynamics and their interaction with organisational dynamics.
Newton, J. Long, S. and Stevers, Burkard (Eds) (2006) Coaching in Depth: The Organizational Role Analysis Approach, Karnac Books.
A collection of chapters by different authors all exploring the contribution of personal and organizational factors to challenges and the application of psychodynamically informed coaching methods to improve them.
Brunning, H. (2006) Executive Coaching: Systems-Psychodynamic Perspective, Karnac Books.
Wonderful stories of coaching from Kets de Vries which take a psychodynamic view of human development, healing and change.
Kets de Vreis, M.F.R. (2014) Mindful Leadership Coaching: Journeys into the Interior, INSEAD Business Press.
Includes chapters on Coaching psychology in 6 sections: Behavioural and cognitive Behavioural, Humanistic, Existential, Being focused, Constructive and Systemic approaches.
Palmer, S. (2008) Handbook of Coaching Psychology: A guide for Practitioners, Routledge.
Bluckert writes about complex coaching themes in an engaging and accessible way. His work is informed by principles of Gestalt psychology.
Bluckert, P. (2006) Psychological Dimensions to Executive Coaching, Open University Press.
One of the best explanations I have read of how to achieve an effective balance between support and challenge in coaching relationships.
O’Neill, M.B. (2000) Executive Coaching with Backbone and Heart: A Systems Approach to Engaging Leaders with their challenges, John Wiley & Sons.
I return to Chapter 8 of this book: ‘working with client defenses’ again and again.
Kilburg, R.R. (2000) Executive Coaching: Developing Managerial Wisdom in a World of Chaos, American Psychological Association.
This is a collection of quite academic but interesting coaching research.
Law, H. (2007) The Psychology of Coaching, Mentoring and Learning, Wiley.
Practical tools and techniques to support clients and others as they think through challenges of all kinds.
Megginson, D. and Clutterbuck, D. (2005) Techniques for Coaching and Mentoring, Butterworth-Heinemann.
I enjoyed using the tools that Lee shares which facilitate a psychodynamic approach to coaching.
Lee, G. (2003) Leadership Coaching: From Personal Insight to Organizational Excellence, CIPD.
Chapter 3: Simple but not easy: the skilled language of coaching includes a useful section on how to explore feelings appropriately in coaching.
Rogers, J. (2004) Coaching Skills a handbook, Open University Press.
A summary of a range of psychological theories and models and their application in coaching (Developmental Psychology, The Psychodynamic View, Behavioural Concepts, The Person Centred Approach, Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Therapy, Family Therapy and Systems Thinking, The Existential Stance, Social Psychology and Coaching) as well as an interesting final Chapter for mental health practitioners considering transitioning into coaching.
Peltier, B. (2001) The Psychology of Executive Coaching: Theory and Application, Routledge.