Working Together: Organizational Transactional Analysis and Business Performance

Organizational Transactional Analysis is a discipline whose focus is on enabling effective communication at all levels of the organization. It looks at development and change from the individual, team, department and organizational levels. This book, and Organizational TA as a whole, operates from an assumption of health - this is a very different approach from other communication methodologies which tend to focus on the problems. TA focuses on building on what is already working, rather than what isn't. From their many years of experience, Anita Mountain and Chris Davidson are convinced that TA offers everyone within the workforce different options on how to relate. Working Together offers up-to-date theory developed by the authors through their extensive knowledge of TA and of the business world. The clear explanations and diagrams in the book outline how you can develop and maintain effective communication and be aware of the processes involved in carrying out decisions and strategies. With chapters on how to apply TA in the workplace Working Together is a down-to-earth yet intelligent read and an important resource for those who wish to improve the quality of relationships and improve productivity. It will be of value to individuals, leaders and managers at all levels. Whether the issue is emotional intelligence, stress, poor communication or different departmental/regional perspectives, this book offers a toolkit of resources to support the people processes aspects of the business.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Foreword - the past is prologue: the relevance of TA today; Preface; Introduction; Context of people at work; The basis of communication; Getting to be an effective communicator; Recognition; Agreeing the way forward; Extending your styles repertoire; Ignoring realities: awareness and discounting; The games we play; Telling the story; The relationship between individuals and the organization; Integrative leadership; Culture; Bullying; Stress and life balance; Concepts for thriving; Countering anger and conflict; Conclusion; Appendices; References; Index.

About the Author :
Anita Mountain has been working nationally and internationally since 1990. She has trained and coached a wide variety of professionals from Owner/MD's to Consultant Psychiatrists and other trainers, coaches and consultants. As a company, Mountain Associates have worked with multi-nationals to SME's as well as local authorities within the UK. Her training in two fields of Transactional Analysis and the way she uses these has meant that she has been called iconaclastic and her professional expertise is in demand both as a key-note speaker and as a consultant, coach and coach supervisor. Chris Davidson joined Mountain Associates in 1999 after many years of experience in working in the public sector. His wealth of experience in groups and groupwork allied to his knowledge of human behaviour is of particular benefit when working in organizations. Chris Davidson also works internationally training others both in-house as well as in Mountain Associates open Developmental/Organizational TA, and Official Introductory TA workshops. Chris Davidson and Anita Mountain are business and life partners and so the title of this book - Working Together - also has relevance for them. They work as a team, each with their own areas of expertise which, when combined, add up to over 40 years of experience.

Review :
'Anita and Chris help us take a fresh look at common workplace frustrations, providing the framework and vocabulary to understand and prevent them. The exercises provided help us change our behaviour at home and in the workplace to help us get the successful outcomes we know we deserve. A "must read" reference book for CEOs, managers, salespeople, trainers and anyone who has ever struggled to understand the human condition!' Nigel Dunand, Professional Development Director, Sandler Training 'Anita and Chris appear on the surface to work a kind of magic - with ease and in a relaxed style. When they talk to people they can see and hear things that other people miss and get to the centre of issues easily and quickly. They have a unique style and approach. This book shows how you and I can take this approach and work that magic for ourselves. Opening up the subject of TA and adding in some real experience and deep knowledge the authors have created a book that unfolds to give away the secret to becoming a great manager or motivator.' Julie Hanson, Owner - The One Company & Sloe Road 'Working Together is one of those rare business books that is easy to read. The style adopted by the authors leads to an immediate understanding of the theory whilst the examples used turn on that light bulb for the reader. Particularly useful are the tasks, it is comforting to know and easy to see that the authors genuinely want to aid the reader in putting the theory into practice. I have found TA very useful in my business and shall be dipping in and out of this book regularly. It will not be in my bookcase but on my desk.' Mark Poultney, Managing Director, Imperial Catering Equipment Ltd/Hatco Corporation