New Theory and Practice of Transactional Analysis in Organizations: On the Edge

213 Pages·2021·6.128 MB·English

by  Sari van Poelje, Anne de Graaf

‘New Theory and Practice of Transactional Analysis in Organizations is an
important, contemporary collection of chapters that – contrary to its title – is
placing TA contribution at the heart of OD practice. Coming out for publication in
the midst of one of the most turbulent periods of recent times, it will offer some
stability in its sense-making of organizational and development practice which
we all need.’
Dr. Eliat Aram, CEO, The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, London, UK
‘As New Theory and Practice of Transactional Analysis in Organizations is a
book focused on innovation of organizational TA, we also asked a newer TA
organizational generation from different countries to write a sentence or two
why this book is important for TA and for the organizational field. An impressive
synergy of thought leaders in the field of TA in organizations that inspire us to
innovate our approach to organizations, leaders and teams.’
Danijela Djuric, Growth Code Consultant
‘In the 60’s, Berne ingeniously connected the individual and the collective
dimension inside a single theoretical approach. If human beings barely changed
since then, organizations have transformed very deeply. This wonderful book
pushes “Berne’s organisational theory (BOT)” towards the 21st century. BRAVO!’
Olivier Bettach, Executive Coach and Method Actor, Paris, France
‘The book opens your eyes on the resources of agile organizations which are able
to use the ability to “be” (and not to “do”) in uncertainty, remaining impassive,
facing loss of meaning, without wanting at all costs to reach results and certainties.’
Rossella Iannucci, Head of Internal Coaching Academy Intesa Sanpaolo Group
‘It’s been said many times that organisations are heading into crisis over and
over again. The research into how Transactional Analysis can help leaders make
practical choices is growing: this book is at the cutting edge and is a must read for
anyone that’s serious about effective leadership through volatile times.’
Andrew Tailby, MA, Chief Executive Officer, TRESC Ltd
‘The authors are highly experienced Organisational TA Professionals. What they
don’t know about working on the edge with teams and organisations is probably
not worth knowing. When reading this book, you will be immersed by its wealth
and blend of knowledge, wisdom, theory, and practical application. A must have for
all coaches, managers and consultants ready to take risks in order to promote the
wellbeing, growth and development of organisations and teams. No Risk, No Result!’
Anjana Rajani, Trainer/Coach, Power2Progress

NEW THEORY AND PRACTICE OF
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS IN
ORGANIZATIONS
This innovative book presents state-of-the-art thinking on using transactional analysis (TA)
to change the structure, relationships and culture in organizations. Actual and sustainable
change starts where people dare to work on the edge.
The book is arranged according to the three levels of organizations described by Eric
Berne – the structural, interpersonal and psychodynamic levels – and the chapters expand on his
concepts at each level. With contributions by an international range of authors, incorporating
a selection of practical case studies, the book illuminates key themes including group and
team dynamics, psychological safety, emotion and, most foundationally, boundaries.
Exploring the tensions of boundaries that can determine both the stability of a system
as well as its innovative potential, this book provides a strong structural framework for TA
coaches, consultants and analysts, as well as other professionals working with and within
organizations.
Sari van Poelje, TSTA-O, MSc team coaching, is an international team coach and expert
on agility and innovation. Sari has been the director of Intact Academy for 35 years,
offering TA, ICF and EMCC accredited training to coaches and consultants all over
the world. She works as a consultant in Agile Business Innovation with multinational
organizations, family businesses and start-ups to help them innovate their business more
quickly than their products, so that they can accelerate their time to market. Sari has
35 years’ experience of coaching and consulting with managers and directors and has been
a director in multinational organizations for 23 years. She herself is a licensed teaching
and supervising transactional analyst, PCM trainer, NOBCO-EMCC accredited master
coach and master systemic team coach. She has published numerous articles and books on
leadership, coaching and organizational change including TA in Organisations (1996) and
Learning for Leadership (2002).
Anne de Graaf, MA, is TSTA in the field of management and organizational development
and CTA in the field of psychotherapy. For over 30 years, Anne was consultant, trainer and
coach to a large number of companies and organizations, using TA, Group Relations and
System Theory. He is co-author (together with Klaas Kunst) of the successful TA book
about leadership Einstein and the Art of Sailing and co-editor (together with Bill Cornell,
Trudi Newton and Moniek Thunnissen) of the comprehensive introduction to TA called
Into TA. Anne has published several articles on organizational TA topics in Transactional
Analysis Journal and other magazines. For 10 years he was general director of the Dutch
TA academie. Currently he is the owner of RondHeel, consultancy and training. He is a
lecturer at the MSc Organisational TA program at the Berne Institute in the UK.
INNOVATIONS IN TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS:
THEORY AND PRACTICE
Series Editor: William F. Cornell
This book series is founded on the principle of the importance of open discussion,
debate, critique, experimentation, and the integration of other models in fostering
innovation in all the arenas of transactional analytic theory and practice: psy-
chotherapy, counseling, education, organizational development, health care, and
coaching. It will be a home for the work of established authors and new voices.
TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
The Naked Self
Zefiro Mellacqua
CONTEXTUAL TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
The Inseparability of Self and World
James M. Sedgwick
GROUPS IN TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS,
OBJECT RELATIONS, AND FAMILY SYSTEMS
Studying Ourselves in Collective Life
N. Michel Landaiche, III
NEW THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TRANSACTIONAL
ANALYSIS IN ORGANIZATIONS
On the Edge
Sari van Poelje and Anne de Graaf
www.routledge.com/Innovations-in-Transactional-Analysis-Theory-and-Practice/
book-series/INNTA
NEW THEORY AND
PRACTICE OF
TRANSACTIONAL
ANALYSIS IN
ORGANIZATIONS
On the Edge
Edited by Sari van Poelje and
Anne de Graaf
First published 2022
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa
business
© 2022 selection and editorial matter, Sari van Poelje and Anne de Graaf;
individual chapters, the contributors
The right of Sari van Poelje and Anne de Graaf to be identified as the
authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual
chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Poelje, Sari van, editor. | Graaf, Anne de, 1951– editor.
Title: New theory and practice of transactional analysis in organizations :
on the edge / edited by S.J. van Poelje and Anne de Graaf.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2021. | Series:
Innovations in transactional analysis: theory and practice | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021008394 (print) | LCCN 2021008395 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781032002941 (hardback) | ISBN 9781032002965 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003173564 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Organizational behavior. | Transactional analysis. |
Organizational change.
Classification: LCC HD58.7 .N4826 2021 (print) | LCC HD58.7 (ebook) |
DDC 302.3/5—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021008394
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021008395
ISBN: 978-1-032-00294-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-00296-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-17356-4 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003173564
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
CONTENTS
List of contributors viii
1 Editors’ introduction 1
2 Three levels of leadership 6
3 Adapting leadership power to its purpose 16
4 Leading self-organising teams: a paradox or a necessity? 30
5 Force fields in organisations: a new perspective on
intervening in groups, systems and organisations 51
6 Managing boundary dynamics 87
7 Leading through people – managing vulnerability
in working relationships 107
8 Managing fear and anxiety 118
9 Learning practices at work: a case for cognitive apprenticeship 130
10 Organizational cultures and change interventions 156
11 Berne’s organizational theory applied to the prevention
of psychosocial risks: a European phenomenon 174
12 Transactional analysis: a passport for the next decades 189
Index 197
vii
CONTRIBUTORS
Ugo De Ambrogio, TSTA-O, degree in social and political science at the Univer-
sity of Milan. He is a sociologist and director of the IRS (Institute for Social
Research) where he directs research, consultancy, planning, evaluation and
coaching and training activities with public administrations and non-profit
organizations. He is the director, teacher and coach of the “Scuola IRS per
il Sociale” (IRS School for Social) and director, teacher and co-founder of
Eureka Academy OrganizzAT: School of Transactional Analysis in the organi-
zational field. He has been a professor of planning and social evaluation at the
University of Milan “Bicocca”, at the “Ca Foscari” University of Venice and
at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He is the author of over 100 scientific
publications and four Italian books about TA in the organizational field.
Patrice Fosset is a PTSTA in the field of organizational psychology. After
15 years’ experience in sales for a large industrial group, Patrice trained to
become a practitioner in systemic and integrative psychology. He founded a
consultancy firm specialized in accompanying change as well as a coaching
school. For more than 25 years, he has used the concepts of transactional analy-
sis as a foundation to support leaders and their teams to develop their skills and
improve the efficiency of their organizations. He was particularly interested in
the health of employees in companies, the prevention of psychosocial risks and
the problems linked to moral harassment in professional circles. He contributes
to the development of TA in France as a member of SEMLAT, an association
which organizes a summer week devoted to training in transactional analy-
sis. Now, he teaches transactional analysis and supervises professionals within
organizations. He is an author and a speaker. His research focuses on the prac-
tice of energetics and transactional analysis.
Rosa R. Krausz, PhD, is TSTA – O & Ed. of ITAA and UNAT-Brasil. Rosa
worked 40 years as a consultant, trainer and executive coach applying TA.
She is the founder and first president of UNAT-Brasil, of ABRACEM (Brazil-
ian Association of Executive Coaching), secretary of ITAA, member of ITAA
viii
CONTRIBUTORS
Executive Committee and the Transactional Analysis Journal (TAJ) Editorial
Board. Rosa was also editor of REBAT – Brazilian Journal of Transactional
Analysis for 20 years. She authored three books on TA in organizations and
more than 50 articles – some of which were published in TAJ and the Script and
several of which were translated into German, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Rosa is the recipient of the Eric Berne Award 2012 for two of her articles pub-
lished in TAJ: “Organizational Scripts” (1993) and “Power and Leadership in
Organizations” (1986).
Mandy Lacy, PhD, is a TSTA in the field of organisational psychology. Mandy
works with leaders, teams and organisations involved with change and digital
transformation. She is also a coach and a benefits realisation management spe-
cialist. Her PhD research investigated the conceptualisations of group memory
enhancing learning and knowledge practices in the workplace. Mandy has
published on TA topics, and has several articles and a book from her research
in press. Mandy has taught at the University of Sydney Business School and
currently leads a postgraduate leadership programme at The Mind Lab in New
Zealand. She is the director of Mandy Lacy Consulting, Beyond Benefits and
MQ Meeting Intelligence.
Corinne Laurier is a consultant in managerial and organizational development
and TSTA in the field of organizations. She has been supporting companies
or associations from various sectors in their organizational and managerial
issues for 37 years, first as HR director and then as a consultant for 20 years.
She is committed to combining personal growth and organizational develop-
ment through the necessary changes in systems and leadership issues. She is
co-author of a book on professional interviewing and author of Manage with
Transactional Analysis: Dare Your Managerial Style! and various articles. Pas-
sionate about learning and pedagogical issues, she also passes on her experi-
ence and the wealth of transactional analysis in the field of organizations to
consultants and coaches. She has also been very involved in TA associations
for more than 10 years, occupying various positions or missions.
Marleine Mazouz is a consultant and coach. After many years within training
organizations, she created a training company, specialized in professional effi-
ciency and management, and served as a director and associate with a group of
accounting firms. In 1993, she created Mediation Training Counsel (“Media-
tion Formation Conseil”) to meet the needs of her clients: manage manager-
employee relationship issues. She strengthens this area by integrating the
prevention of psychosocial risks. In 2013, she created a preparation school for
certification in transactional analysis in Paris. Today, with P.T.S.T.A. Organi-
sation, she attaches great importance to the ethical and deontological dimen-
sion. Her guideline: Respect, Care, No judgment, No interference. Her field
ix