“Faced with any experience, the emotional learning that life has given us, such as the memory of a past disastrous relationship, sends signals that streamline our decision-making process by eliminating some options and highlighting others at the outset. In this way the emotions are involved in reasoning - as is the thinking brain.” (Stapley, 2006, at p.37).

An Introductory Workshop followed
by a Series of ten Seminars

The purpose of these Seminars is to provide opportunities for members to explore and gain an understanding of the way that emotions affect our decision making; The way that emotions that are occurring 'beneath the surface' can lead to irrational activity; And, the way that this can have an affect on relationships and organizational dynamics.

The anticipated outcomes are to enable members to understand the way that 'beneath the surface', mainly emotional, dynamics affect us all in regard to our meaning-making and decision-making regarding other people, other groups and changed circumstances; and, to enable them to apply this learning directly to their work experiences.

The seminars are based on Dr Stapley's book, ‘Individuals, Groups and Organisations: Beneath the Surface’ (Karnac: 2006). By using the book as a basis for the Workshops it provides a structured and cumulative or progressive approach based on a text that contains many examples. It also provides a working reference for post-Workshop reflection and continued learning. A copy of the book will be provided to each member and is included in the Fees.

“The book is beautifully crafted; it takes us through experience into reflection and then into psychoanalytic theory so that the reader can learn and develop. The style of writing reflects the aims ñ it is accessible, reflective and takes the reader through a fascinating journey.” Professor M John McAuley, Head of Programmes; Research Degrees, Faculty of Organisation and Management, Sheffield Hallam University.

The approach taken is to encourage maximum participation and application to work roles. In advance of each two hour Seminar members are asked to read a designated text and to come to the Seminar ready to present their understanding of the material with examples from their work or personal roles. The ensuing discussion aims to reinforce the application of the knowledge to the work place.

Particular areas covered will be the way that emotions arise from: the experience of pain or anxiety and the defences developed as a means of coping; the development of values and trust; splitting, displacement stereotyping and scapegoating; psychological boundaries; levels of relatedness; leadership and management authority; and in relationships between individuals and groups.

To be most effective a group of sixteen members is considered to be the maximum.

Seminar Leader:
Lionel Stapley is the Director of OPUS (an Organisation for Promoting Understanding of Society) and an organizational consultant. He is also the author of ‘It's an Emotional Game’ which is “essentially about the largely emotional inner struggles by managers when leading teams.” (Karnac: 2002).