On the Value of Group Relations Learning

"I got a hold of how 'unconscious baggage' held back my effectiveness. The conference freed me to work much more effectively and enjoy work that had previously exhausted me."

-- Dwight Jewson Ph.D., President, Strategic Frameworking

 

 

SAVE THE DATE: Leading from Experience

SEPTEMBER 22-24, 2023

REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

On the Value of Group Relations Learning

"The conference is an extraordinary opportunity to tune into a frequency of group and organizational life that is always operating but virtually never accessible. The experiential learning, as well as the opportunity to reflect on and make sense of that learning with other participants was a rare treat. I came away with new, immediately applicable insights."

-- Robin Ely, Professor and Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School

 

 

On the Value of Group Relations Learning

"I learned to position myself more 'firmly' on issues that I believe in and that I want to defend. Since the conference, I've been more assertive, knowing that running greater risks is the only way to stand up for what I believe in. It was certainly one of the most unique experiences I've had."

-- Middle School Principal

Our Mission

The mission of CSGSS is to further the understanding of groups and organizations as conscious and unconscious social systems through experiential learning, education, and application.
Values

  • We value learning from experience through reflection on the conscious and unconscious processes in group life.
  • We are committed to learning about how group members take up leadership and authority in various contexts.
  • We value a systems framework that respectfully engages our differences to deepen our understanding of how groups work and survive.
  • We aspire to mitigate economic barriers for those who desire to attend our events.
  • We are committed to developing an authorized membership that is active in the Center's mission and work.
  • We are committed to furthering the application of psychodynamic organizational thinking to real-world dilemmas.
  • We are committed to cultivating a community of people who are interested in group relations and using group relations thinking to erode barriers to dialogue and belonging.

"I got a hold of how 'unconscious baggage' held back my effectiveness. The conference freed me to work much more effectively and enjoy work that had previously exhausted me."

Dwight Jewson
Ph.D., President, Strategic Frameworking

Using the Tavistock group relations tradition of open systems and psychodynamic theories, CSGSS,  the Center for the Study of Groups and Social Systems develops group relations conferences, meetings, and other events to further learning about group processes.

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Join or Renew your CSGSS membership

See our membership page for information on how to join CSGSS. Or, renew now.

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September 22-24, 2023

REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

Faculty: Donna Elmendorf,  Dannie Kennedy

Candice Crawford-Zakian, and Jim Krantz (Convenor)

Faculty in Training: Heather Forouhar-Graff, Megan Kolano, Alan Ruiz, Glenn Sigl

Administrator: Lori Schweickert

An in-person workshop to be held at The Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts

This Workshop is endorsed by the A. K. Rice Institute, and is in partnership with The Austen Riggs Center

Relentless change, globalization, technological disruption, and increasing complexity pose deep challenges for our organizations and institutions.  How leadership and authority are exercised play a decisive role in meeting these challenges. They too evolve as organizations evolve, requiring new ways of thinking that shape our effectiveness as individuals and the ability of our Institutions to fulfill their purposes. The pressing need to enhance individual, group, and systemic capabilities require deeply attending to the realities that people and organizations face today.

The Boston Affiliate of the A K Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems.

CSGSS Group Relations Reading Group

The Center for the Study of Groups and Social Systems, the Boston Affiliate of the A. K.  Rice Institute, is pleased to announce a reading group series. Open to members and non-members of CSGSS. Attendees receive recordings of the talks. Visit the events page to register for the current talk.