Coaching in Depth: The Organizational Role Analysis Approach

This book introduces the reader to the management consultancy technique of Organizational Role Analysis—a technique with the immensely practical purpose of helping managers to stay "in role and on task." As such, it provides a coherent, superbly illustrated framework for in-depth coaching. The ORA method is grounded in a process of consultation that derives from the conjunction of open systems theory, and psychodynamic understandings of human behavior. It enables the collaborative resolution of the mental and emotional tensions represented in the client's work role as he/she strives to manage the dynamics between the organization-in-the-mind and the organization-in-reality.

While the method of Organizational Role Analysis presented in this book has been evolving for three decades, published accounts of the work have been sparse, spasmodic, and relatively obscure. This book brings together the work of experienced practitioners from around the globe who illuminate the guiding concepts with lively, practical examples that illustrate the variety of ways in which managers can receive coaching in-depth. These accounts are complemented by an extensive bibliography for further reading.

Contributors: John Bazalgette, Ullrich Beumer, Hanna Biran, Irving Borwick, Jane Chapman, Laurence J. Gould, W. Gordon Lawrence, Susan Long, Rose Redding Mersky, John Newton, Bruce Reed, and Burkard Sievers

This book introduces the reader to the management consultancy technique of Organizational Role Analysis--a technique with the immensely practical purpose of helping managers to stay "in role and on task." As such, it provides a coherent, superbly illustrated framework for in-depth coaching. The ORA method is grounded in a process of consultation that derives from the conjunction of open systems theory, and psychodynamic understandings of human behavior. It enables the collaborative resolution of the mental and emotional tensions represented in the client's work role as he/she strives to manage the dynamics between the organization-in-the-mind and the organization-in-reality.

While the method of Organizational Role Analysis presented in this book has been evolving for three decades, published accounts of the work have been sparse, spasmodic, and relatively obscure. This book brings together the work of experienced practitioners from around the globe who illuminate the guiding concepts with lively, practical examples that illustrate the variety of ways in which managers can receive coaching in-depth. These accounts are complemented by an extensive bibliography for further reading.

Contributors: John Bazalgette, Ullrich Beumer, Hanna Biran, Irving Borwick, Jane Chapman, Laurence J. Gould, W. Gordon Lawrence, Susan Long, Rose Redding Mersky, John Newton, Bruce Reed, and Burkard Sievers

John Newton is Associate Professor of Organization Dynamics at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Melbourne, Australia, where he is the founding director of graduate programs in Organization Dynamics. A member of the International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organizations, his work as an educator, consultant and action researcher is characterised by his interest in learning from experience.

Susan Long is Professor of Creative and Sustainable Organizations at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Australia. She is editor of Socio-Analysis and a Board member and past President of the International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organizations.

Burkard Sievers is Professor of Organization Development, Bergische Universität Wuppertal; Co-editor Freie Assoziation; President-Elect (2005-6), International Society for the Psychoanalytic Study of Organizations (ISPSO).