About Peter’s talk

This talk will convey something of what it was like to be a systems psychodynamic researcher doing ethnographic fieldwork in a business organisation. It will focus on the feelings that such a role evokes and the ‘parts’ the researcher can be cast into outside of their own awareness, depending on the unconscious dynamics of the system under study.

I will draw on my personal experience as a doctoral student inquiring into the interpersonal and group dynamics among the UK Partners of a global consulting firm at the advent of an economic downturn. Recording and analysing the counter-transference proved invaluable, even if the lived experience of the emotions involved was destabilising at times.

The idea for the talk owes its origins to Bion’s theory of valency which conceptualises an individual’s readiness, given their personal history, to identify with and act on emotions at large in a human system. As reflexive researchers and consultants, we are sometimes able to look back and consider whether, on an unconscious level, a client system has put our valency to use to advance a sought after change or in defence of an enduring status quo.

If it sounds a little heavy, please don’t be put off! It can have serious aspects but amusing ones too. My goal is to help us talk as colleagues (using the metaphor of casting and roles) about the sources of insight available to us in the field via our minds and bodies.

About Peter

Peter is an independent OD consultant, educator and academic who works at the intersection between systems psychodynamics and organisational anthropology. 

His business career has included spells with Roffey Park Institute, Ashridge Consulting, London Business School and the International Committee of the Red Cross. He began his working life as a theatre practitioner before going on to work for the Arts Council where his interest in organisations and how they function began to supersede his interest in the performing arts. He holds a degree in European Drama from Leeds University, a Masters in OD from Salford University. 

Peter has recently completed a professional doctorate at the Tavistock Clinic, validated by the University of Essex. 

A long time admirer of TIHR, Peter is honoured to be speaking as part of the Lunchtime Talks series.

Fun fact: as well as being an OD practitioner, Peter is a Senior County Football Referee with the Sussex FA.