CPD listing

Working in Organisations (CPD61)

Leadership, energy, empowerment, creativity, cooperative endeavour?

Infighting or destructive competition; lethargy and cynicism?

How many of these describe your organisation? Do you understand how your organisation works below the surface?

This Residential Conference may help you to be a better leader in a better organisation.

Book now

A group relations conference is a personal development programme which aims to increase personal effectiveness in any organisational role. The conference is designed to be a miniature organisation in which various organisational scenarios and events take place. An intense and concentrated programme includes small group work, large group work, inter-group work and experience of working with hierarchical relationships, together with personal learning reviews and meetings for the application of conference learning to each participant's own organisational role.

The primary task of these activities is to study organisational behaviour as it happens. This creates a continuous process of feedback about organisational behaviour from staff and other participants. Issues are explored in relation to awareness of the impact of self on others and the impact of others on self, leadership, followership, group membership, lateral and vertical collaboration, delegation and representative roles.

Membership

The conference is designed for anyone who is interested in understanding more about groups and organisations, working as professionals or consultants in the public, private or independent sectors. A proportion of the conference places are reserved for members of the Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Consultation and the Organisation and the Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Working with Groups, organised by The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and University of East London but applicants not currently studying on these programmes are very welcome.
 

Programme and further details

The programme provides opportunities for members to engage in scenarios that mirror typical organisational situations. Members are supported in their learning by input from conference staff using systemic and psychoanalytic insights to clarify the underlying emotional dynamics. There are no lectures or seminars given by staff.

The programme consists of a series of events that build on each other to allow members the space for exploration and cumulative learning. For example:

The Intergroup Event starts with an opportunity to explore personal effectiveness in an interpersonal face-to-face group and goes on to explore dynamics arising between groups and also within groups when linked to a wider system. The event allows exploration of the experience of crossing group boundaries and the issues for an individual in representing one group to another group.

Whole System Meetings explore the organisational dynamics of the conference itself as an organisation and the problems of individual effectiveness in a large group.

The Staff Management Event explores the boundary and dynamics between members and conference staff in a management role. This facilitates learning about issues that arise between those in authority and those who perceive themselves as less powerful. The exercise of authority, leadership and creativity by both staff and members may also be studied.

Resource Management Event explores the dynamics of delegated authority, leadership and followership, and the management of resources.

Review Groups and Application Groups are provided to review the progress of the learning towards the end of the conference to make links with members' own work environment in order that the learning may be applied after the conference.

This is a rewarding but demanding programme for developing ‘soft’ skills and applicants currently experiencing stressful circumstances such as divorce, bereavement or serious illness, are advised to attend at another time.

Conference Dates and Times

3 - 7 September 2012 (residential)

The programme is designed as a whole. Applicants who cannot attend the whole programme should contact the Conference Administrator at the time of application.

Fees

D10/D11 Students

£1090

Booking fee (non-refundable) £150

Application form must be returned by Tuesday 22 May with the full fee

Independent Applicants

£1550

Booking fee (non-refundable) £150

Full fees paid by Monday 20 August 2012

Booking

A group discount is available to groups of 3 or more.  Application forms can be requested by contacting the conference adminstrator.
Tel: 020 8938 2548
Fax: 020 7447 3837
Email: egibson2@tavi-port.ac.uk