"This paper is based on research into European economics and politics on the basis of ten months travelling in ten countries, as well as on four workshops run in Europe. Two hypotheses will be explored: It is possible to discern psychodynamic evidence that unresolved humiliation trauma is being re-evoked and recycled by attempts to find solutions and cures through the tyranny of austerity measures. But the question will be asked whether these are "chosen trauma" (Volkan, 2010) which may be at the heart of the foundation matrix (Foulkes, 1973) of the European Community. The exploration of political and economic leadership in the crisis in the European Union builds on the notion of society as a large group proliferating crises of identity. From a systemic perspective it is possible to analyse the nation states of Europe protesting with regressive nationalism, refusing collaboration by engaging in economic warfare while at the same time attempting rescue packages. The protest could be seen as defensive denial of their humbling at the hands of the over-ambitious aspects of the European single currency project and the demise of the potency of the nation state. The concluding section reflects on these issues and tries to distinguish the recycling of humiliation trauma from defence against the experience of being humbled."

The main purpose of this book is to look at a range of ubiquitous phenomena that make up our daily life and to ask not so much whether but what psychoanalytic thinking can add to our current understanding of these phenomena. Could there be another layer, below the obvious surface-layer that needs to be explored further? If so, can psychoanalytic light reflect upon and illuminate some of the new contours and shapes perhaps previously not fully seen or appreciated? What interim conclusions can we reach as a result of this reflection upon our modern world? This book is linked to its immediate predecessor, "Psychoanalytic Perspectives on a Turbulent World," but it differs significantly in tone, light and composition. This new book no longer addresses itself to the complex and troubling issues such as war, conflict, the global financial crisis and our struggle with leadership, instead it focuses on the lighter side of life.

This article is intended to contribute to our understanding of the December 2001 collapse of Enron. The existing literature on Enron's demise falls largely into two broad areas, involving either "micro" psychological explanations or "macro" accounts that emphasize the workplace and its environment; this paper is an exploratory study that focuses on a new interpretation which links the two areas more closely together. It is proposed that Enron's culture was influenced by both "micro" and "macro" factors: an experience of unsuccessful paternal authority figures within the family history of Enron's leaders, coupled with an experience of problematic government and regulatory regimes associated with the gas industry. Drawing on concepts from psychoanalysis and its application to organizational dynamics, it is argued that these "micro" and "macro" factors helped to generate an Oedipal mindset in Enron's leaders according to which external authority was seen to be weak and not worthy of respect, and that this contributed to Enron's demise. Implications for theory are examined.

A practical guide to the essentials of organisational change which makes complex concepts accessible to managers, consultants, human resources professionals and others. Includes a directory of further sources of information and assistance.

'This is a much needed book, giving a readable, insightful and constructive perspective on many of today's societal, political and economic ailments. It is my fervent hope that it finds a large readership in the leadership echelons of our society. Whoever reads it will have difficulty putting it down as, the content is gripping.'- Anton Obholzer, p

Contributors include Anthony Berendt, Birgitte Bonnerup, Leslie B. Brissett, Halina Brunning, Tim Dartington, Winnie Fei, M. Gerard Fromm, Zhang Jian Li, Olya Khaleelee, Andrzej Leder, Richard Morgan-Jones, Claudia Nagel, Mario Perini, Rob Stuart, Simon Western, and Barbara-Anne Wren. The idea of The Covid Trail developed at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Using the language of psychoanalysis and system psychodynamic thinking, it seeks to find a way to think about and understand the post-pandemic world from an international perspective. Motivated by a desire to express what is hidden, dangerous, and difficult to express, this book takes us on a trail. It starts with disquiet, disorientation, and loss in Part I. Through attempts to make sense of it all, a clear, albeit meandering and dangerous, path to follow is created, which snakes throughout the book. Part II takes a closer look at despair and resilience and pairs them through balancing power with vulnerability. Part III delves into the realm of psychoanalysis, to seek solace, or at least a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of the pandemic, and examines how we have sown our own environmental destruction. The final part offers a glimpse into the post-Covidian world and the longer and deeper impact of Covid upon our bodies, relationships, constructs, and civilisation. The volume ends on a trail of each chapter's essence, taking the reader from shock, disorientation, and fear through mobilisation of resilience, a realisation of the enormity of the changes humanity faces, and an attempt to comprehend these processes as a guide to this permanent "new normal". All those with a desire to understand the way the world has changed will want to explore The Covid Trail.

This is a collection of papers by well-known contemporary writers who describe their own models of coaching and their thoughts on the theoretical roots that define their work.The collection explores the theoretical underpinning of coaching from classical to contemporary thinkers, sets the appropriate organizational context for coaching within the framework of contemporary organizations, and traces the historical developments of personality testing and the lasting role that psychometrics play in the coaching industry. It also examines the differences between psychodynamic and non-psychodynamic approaches to coaching, and addresses the role the unconscious plays in the way we offer coaching and interact within the thinking space created for clients.A number of different case studies illustrate the multi-dimensional model in practice. The book also provides an outlook on how to address ethical considerations and dilemmas associated with coaching, and includes up-to-date information on resources, facilities, and further training for coaches.This is a recommended book for coaches, clients, sponsors of coaching, and practitioners from related professions.The Contributors: Miranda Alcock, Halina Brunning, Michael Diamond, Angela Eden, Larry Gould, Clare Huffington, Michael Jarrett, Richard Kwiatkowski, Gordon Lawrence, Anton Obholzer, Vega Roberts, Marlene Spero, Lionel Stapley, Mark Stein, and Erika Stern.

Executive Coaching focuses on the coaching applications of systemic-psychodynamic theory in the context of organizational life that is both goal-orientated and held in a managerial/leadership context.