Many issues of companies or organisations can be solved successfully with systemic structural constellations. Fields of application are (amongst others):
Client(s) can be one or several persons sharing an issue. Usually I suggest a preliminary talk with the client to elaborate the issue precisely. We conclude on whether a constellation is suitable for the issue, and which would be the optimum method:
Single Constellation: The client takes the position
of each system element her/himself in turn (see Method).
Suitable: If the structure of the problem is not too
complex, i.e. encompasses only few system elements.
Advantage: Maximum confidentiality (no additional participants).
Constellation of the organisation’s structure in the team: The
members of the concerned team serve as representatives for each other.
Suitable: If the issue is to be expressed explicitly
within the team.
Advantages: High confidentiality (no participants external
to the company); each team member can take the position of each other
member, thereby understanding it her/himself.
Constellation of an abstract issue in the team: The
members of the concerned team serve as representatives for abstract system
elements (e.g. the project, financial resources, the market, the general
set-up).
Suitable: If improvements of team development shall be realised
besides the core goal of the constellation.
Advantages: High confidentiality; all team members can experience
the development process first hand.
Constellation with external representatives: For the
constellation I take on persons from my pool of trustworthy representatives.
Usually, the issue is formulated in advance and not communicated to the
representatives (covered constellation, see Method).
Suitable: with complex organisation issues (lots of system elements).
Advantage: The client can take part in the constellation process
dissociated, i.e. from outside.
(The concerned companies have agreed with these descriptions.)
Family Business in the Textile Industry
Conflicts between the associates had been simmering for years within the family
business. The authority of the successors of the business founders on the
other family members was suffering. After a constellation the CEOs managed
to settle down the company, the disputes within the family members were reduced.
Private School Cluster
There were noticeable frictions within the cluster between one school and the
others. Through a constellation it was uncovered that the fact that the cluster
manager came from this particulary “problem” school had been
neglected so far. Besides, the mutual esteem of the schools towards each
other improved. In addition, the cluster manager acknowledged that he needed
to draw a clear dividing line to the political activities he was pursuing
as a sideline.
Dynea Austria (International Group in the
Chemical Industry)
The company was suffering from afterpains resulting from a fundamental restructuring
process; the re-orientation of the business was not fully accepted yet. Several
employees had been headhunted by partner companies into the position of an
executive negotiator. To make matters worse, their personal contacts to former
co-workers were causing disturbances. Key managers were at risk of burning
out.
In a constellation the managers’ positions were boosted and the entire
staff focussed on the new corporate objective. In further constellations a
certain division – which has always felt excluded from the company somehow
– was stronger integrated into the business. The issues with the former
employees could be resolved. Despite the entire economic sector suffering from
a massive
decline in demand, the company is expanding since.
Employment Service Vienna
The public Employment Service Vienna was facing the task of outsourcing the
service of handicapped persons and long-term unemployed. Major resistance
was expected against this plan. Through a constellation the until then
unknown reasons for the resistance could be uncovered. Besides, new ways
of cooperation with the external contractors were found.
Professional Education School
The Eastern German public school was to be privatised due to a political
re-orientation. On one hand, the employees were completely left in the
dark regarding their future, but on the other hand were expected to come
up with concepts for the change. Inconsistent news reports further elevated
the prevalent uneasiness. Through the constellation the staff was able
to regain their confidence and optimism. Also, it became clearer for the
employees whether they wanted to stay with the company or leave. After
all, the intended privatisation was postponed – much to the staff’s
relief.
Bank
A notoriously overworked division head of the bank was about to become responsible
for a new IT project. He wanted the explore the ins and outs of accepting
or refusing. In the constellation a good way of taking the lead over the
project was found, as well as preventing a possible burn-out.
