Humanness in Organisations

Humanness in Organizations is a unique contribution from the social sciences to the betterment of organizational life. The authors argue that working life can only become more humane when we change the conditions that consciously or unconsciously steer people away from consideration, friendship and integrity.The aim of this book is twofold: first, to take a closer look at the current practices of managers, academics, and consultants, and how they affect organizational conditions, work and the well-being of people. The critical studies presented here explore and develop the likely consequences of these practices for the future. Second, the authors wish to familiarize readers with 'actionable knowledge' in order to create alternative practices and conditions that enable the whole person to engage in healthier interactions both in and with his organization. Nine social scientists from Europe or the United States, each with an established reputation in the field of consulting with a psychodynamic or 'clinical perspective', have contributed their experiences and studies to the book.

Table of Contents:
Foreword , General introduction , Taking a Closer Look , Introduction , Psychic imprisonment and its release within organisations and working relationships , Work, management, and psychic health , Approaching twenty-first century, information-based organisations , Are we losing the group in the study of group dynamics? Three illustrations , Notes towards a model of organisational therapy , Thoughts and Ideas for the Practice , Introduction , Processing mental representations of roles: alternating written and face-to-face interactions , Facilitating transitional change , Feedback or reviewing: a conceptual clarification of the differential impact on human beings and work systems , Conversations on work , Enacting one’s way to new thinking: using critical incidents to vitalise authentic collaboration and learning , Epilogue

About the Author :
Leopold S. Vansina, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at the Catholic University of Leuven and Universite de Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. He worked as an organization consultant at the International Institute for Organizational and Social Development (IOD Leuven), which he founded and directed for twenty-five years. He has headed the Professional Development Institute (Pro-Dev. Ltd) and is a member of the Academy of Management, and ISPSO.

Review :
'In this book, the psychodynamic perspective is used as an invitation for practitioners and scholars to behave as reflective citizens. Promoting self-awareness and critical thinking, and providing "actionable knowledge", it is a stimulating collection of papers on what is going on in society and organisations.'- Bertrand Moingeon, Professor and Deputy Dean, HEC Paris School of Management'This ambitious volume seeks to raise awareness and provide the reader with opportunities to reflect on the darker side of the effects of the current environment. Especially those changes brought about by information technology, educational and managerial research and practice, and individualisation in society. Taking a truly eclectic approach, the enlightening contributions of the international authors explore aspects of this complex and unpredictable environment from their own particular experiences in a revealing and engaged manner. The result is a volume that invites the reader to move from a more comfortable non-reflective space, to a consideration of the inhumanity existing in our world, and the part that we all play in creating this inhumanity.'- Dr Lionel F Stapley, organisational consultant and Director of OPUS'I am inspired by Humanness in Organizations at a moment I need inspiration. I find myself lamenting the huge step backward taken during the economic downturn: the subjugation of people to profit. Or, dare I say it, the subjugation of humanness to profit. What untold wonders of human achievement, of fairness and well-being are lost to greed? Leopold and friends inspire me with a much better analysis of the situation and a much better question: will I help foster humanness in organizations or just lament its passing? I'm in. When you read Humanness in Organizations you will be in too.'- Walter McFarland, 2013 Board Chair of the American Society for Training and Development