In The Hedgehog Effect, Manfred Kets de Vries presents the case for leadership group coaching as an experiential training ground for learning to function as a high performance team. His group coaching model, incorporating living case studies, has been developed over more than 20 years of delivering programs to top-level executives and sets the standard in the field of leadership group coaching. Written for coaches, consultants, leadership development directors, and anyone working in or with teams, The Hedgehog Effect begins with an in-depth analysis of what teams and groups are all about. The intricacies of leadership coaching are illustrated with an elaborate example of a team coaching intervention. In Part Two, the author applies a psychodynamic lens to the dynamics of teams and groups, taking a close look at relationship patterns, how groups evolve, and the phenomenon of the group-as-a-whole. Part Three takes a more systemic perspective, addressing the challenges that change processes pose for people in organizations, and how to create best places to work. Kets de Vries supports the whole with the story of an organizational change initiative accomplished through group coaching.

Despite the proven benefits of emotional intelligence, organizational life has typically been hostile to the inner world of feeling. Rationality is deemed superior to feeling, which can contaminate judgment. But without feeling there is no passion, and no action. This book sets out to change people and organizations for the better, by revealing the 'dark side' of leadership behaviour and its impact on performance. Tapping into the startling parallels between the journey to emotional intelligence, the process of psychoanalysis, the practice of leadership coaching and the Zen journey to enlightenment, renowned thinker Manfred Kets de Vries helps executives, consultants, and coaches to peel back the layers of self-deception and reveal how inner personality - largely hard-wired since early childhood - affects the way they lead and manage others.

Bringing together cases written by experienced leadership and executive coaches from all over the world, this project explores the most demanding and challenging situations they have faced in their professional practices. By analysing and reflecting on the real life case studies the authors show how to deal with these situations in daily life.

"Manfred Kets de Vries is in a unique and special position to analyze leadership, human development, behavior, and what it takes to be an outstanding leader. Manfred's book, like all his other works, is worth reading several times, preserving it for reading again and again and to reflect and learn." - B Muthuraman, Managing Director, Tata Steel Ltd.

"At a very practical level Manfred Kets de vries] has affected for the better the lives of probably more leaders-and therefore their followers-than anyone else alive. In this book, in an empathic and thoroughly compelling way, he draws on his long coaching career and deeply personal experiences of his own to throw light on leadership, the relationship between leaders and followers, and the challenges we all must face. If you care about these things (and who does not?). you will not be able to put this book down." - John Whitehead, Secretary to the Treasury, New Zealand

"This book is a real Bible for anyone striving not only to live with, but to comprehend all the subtleties, ideals, and life roles of a leader in modern society." - Nicholas Chitov, CEO of City Mortgage Bank

"Through the clinical lens which Manfred Kets de Vries so aptly applies to business settings, the reader is guaranteed to meet himself, and-who knows-intrigued to go further on the journey of self-examination." - Philippe Haspeslagh, Dean, Vlerick Leuven gent Management School

"In this important book, Manfred Kets de Vries] pauses to look back and review what he has learned over the years. The result is remarkably insightful on several counts; readers will learn much on leadership and career development. they will also better understand the personal and professional development of a giant among leadership scholars." - Jean-Francois Manzoni, Professor of Leadership and Organizational development, IMD

"Through a unique understanding of the 'inner theater, ' Manfred Kets de Vries provokes leaders to reflect on drivers of their behavior and of those around them. This book provides insight o the tools needed to create high performance teams and achieve personal fulfillment throughout a journey in leadership." - Paul Geason, group Managing Director, Telstra

"Whether you are a leader or a follower, after having read this book you will be the opposite, or both. And if not, you will at least understand the neurotic leader, whether it is in your boos, or in yourself. Maybe even in your spouse." - Christian Dreyer, CEO, Hansen Sicherheitstechnik AG, Munich

"This new book is a collection of Manfred's intelligence and wisdom. His concept of constructive narcissism will help a lot of leaders to understand themselves and others. Manfred is like good wine, the older the better." - Salem Samhoud, Founder, & Samhoud

"In his latest book, Manfred Kets de Vries successfully combines his versatility of roles-as an academic entrepreneur, psychoanalyst, consultant, leadership coach, and professor-to produce an academic classic on leadership from eh perspective of career development." - Vaseehar Hassan, Chairman, Unicorn International Islamic Bank, Malaysia

Bringing together cases written by experienced leadership and executive coaches from all over the world, this project explores the most demanding and challenging situations they have faced in their professional practices. By analysing and reflecting on the real life case studies the authors show how to deal with these situations in daily life.

The challenge faced by family businesses and their stakeholders, is to recognise the issues that they face, understand how to develop strategies to address them and more importantly, to create narratives, or family stories that explain the emotional dimension of the issues to the family. The most intractable family business issues are not the business problems the organisation faces, but the emotional issues that compound them. Applying psychodynamic concepts will help to explain behaviour and will enable the family to prepare for life cycle transitions and other issues that may arise.

Here is a new understanding and a broader perspective on the human dynamics of family firms with two complementary frameworks, psychodynamic and family systematic, to help make sense of family-run organisations. Although this book includes a conceptual section, it is first and foremost a practical book about the real world issues faced by business families.

The book begins by demonstrating that many years of achievement through generations can be destroyed by the next, if the family fails to address the psychological issues they face. By exploring cases from famous and less well known family businesses across the world, the authors discuss entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial family and the lifecycles of the individual and the organisation. They go on to show how companies going through change and transition can avoid the pitfalls that endanger both family and company. The authors then apply tools that will help family businesses in transition and offer their analyses and conclusions.

Readers should draw their own conclusions from careful examination of the cases, identifying the problems or dilemmas faced and the options for improved business performance and family relationships. They should ask what they might have done in the given situation and what new insight into individual or family behaviour each case offers. The goal is to avoid a bitter ending.