Leading at All Levels: Using Systemic Ideas to Get the Most out of the Workplace(The Systemic Thinking and Practice Series)

This is an innovative text which aims to make systemic ideas available to a wider market for the first time. A central theme is to get maximum benefit out of the workplace. These ideas will appeal also to systemic trainees, practitioners and systemic consultants and to those in related professions as well as to personal development practitioners and coaches.This book is divided into three sections: on work and leadership, on problem solving and finally on approaches to leading at all levels. In accessible language it offers a bottom up and a top down perspective. For non managers it addresses the pre occupations of workers and of being managed, while suggesting practical solutions and ways to minimise stress and take control of one's work environment. From the perspective of managers, it offers insights into the dilemmas of management and argues that there is much to be gained by facilitating the knowledge already in the workforce to increase organisational performance. This makes for a happier workforce and less pressure on managers to have all the answers. Traditional problem solving is challenged and an approach which embraces complexity is preferred. Solutions are suggested to problems which arise in everyday workplace situations drawing on examples from a variety of work environments.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Why leadership at all levels Chapter 1 Work and Leadership Chapter 2 Workplace Stress & Resilience Chapter 3 Leadership Chapter 4 Systemic Perspectives on Problem Solving Chapter 5 Using Systemic Questions in Consultation Chapter 6 Solution focussed Approaches to Problem Solving Chapter 7 Systemic and other approaches to leadership at all levels Chapter 8 Positioning theory Chapter 9 Working with Conflict in Organisations Chapter 10 Alternative Approaches to Leadership Chapter 11 Systemic Contributions to the Practice of Leadership at all Levels References

About the Author :
Annette MacArtain-Kerr, is a UKCP registered systemic psychotherapist and consultant. She has held management roles in a number of different organisations in the voluntary sector and in education in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. She worked at the Graduate School at Queen’s University, Belfast, from 2008–2017. She works as a freelance lecturer and trainer in organisations, schools and universities, offers consultation and coaching to individuals and organisations, and continues to work as a systemic psychotherapist in the voluntary sector and in private practice.

Review :
"One of the strengths Annette brings is her breadth of experience working in a variety of academic, local authority and private sector organisations. Her obvious concern for the thoughtful promotion of the highest ethical and professional standards in all her activities stands out and is a challenge and encouragement to the faculty, students and her colleagues. I am very pleased to see her work reflected in this publication for the benefit of a wider audience." -- Stephen Coulter, Director of Masters in Systemic Psychotherapy Programme, Queen’s University Belfast (UK) "This book provides an innovative application of systemic ideas to organisational contexts that offers the reader some pragmatic approaches to everyday work issues." --Dr. Aileen Tierney, CEO,Clanwilliam Institute, Dublin (Republic of Ireland) "This book is a valuable contribution to the literature regarding the concept of leadership at all levels. Commencing with the authors personal journey and the strong research and practical application across an extensive range of potential practice environments. a personable style of writing as though in conversation with the author, her focus on the relational and moral attributes of the leader. Each situation requiring thoughtful reflection on perceived power and assessing self and others as been change ready, therefore building collaborative engagement enabling staff at all levels to demonstrate leadership in a collective context. I would recommend this as a good read for personal skills development and to facilitate students growing their systemic understanding." --Moira Mannion, Deputy Director of Nursing workforce and Education, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Northern Ireland