We are happy to announce the 7th Vilnius International Group Relations Conference 2016

Role, Leadership, Authority: The Culture of Open Dialogue in Organisations 

Wednesday 24th August 2016 – Sunday 28th August 2016
Vilnius University, Lithuania

Sponsoring organisations:
Vilnius University
The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations

We live in times of complex technologies in a highly competitive world, demanding constant innovation in the search for new or improved services and products. The creativity required for this innovation thrives only where there is synergy rooted in dialogue or poly-dialogue.

Nowadays some organisations are less loyal to employees and employees in turn are more concerned with meeting their individual needs. Organisational traditions, hierarchies and rigid structures are perceived by employees as constraints for creativity and self-realisation organisations, which are able to create a culture of open dialogue, can allow for employees’ greater motivation and satisfaction.

The culture of openness invites reflection into organisations. The culture of openness means openness to vulnerability. In this culture, managers and subordinates, employers and employees acknowledge their dependence on each other. In this culture, the power is “deconstructed” into the powers of the individual, networking and cooperation with others.

In this power and conflict dominated world, where inequality still prevails, dialogue is a very fragile but necessary concept and practice for us, even though it might seem idealistic and maybe almost utopian. When attempts to achieve dialogue face an exercise of power there always will be conflict.

You can find out more about the conference here.