The Unconscious at Work
A Tavistock Approach to Making Sense of Organizational Life
📘 About This Book
Why do our organizations so often seem to be less than the sum of their parts? What undermines effectiveness and morale, and gets in the way of achieving what we set out to do? The Unconscious at Work, Second Edition draws on a body of thinking and practice which has developed over the past 70 years, often referred to as 'the Tavistock approach' or 'systems-psychodynamics'. All the contributors are practising consultants who draw on this framework, bringing it alive and making it useful to any reader – manager, leader or consultant, regardless of whether they have any prior familiarity with the underlying concepts – who is curious about what might be driving the puzzling or stressful situations they find in their workplace. The First Edition was addressed to people working in 'the human services': health, social care and education. Since it was published in 1994, there has been growing interest in the business world, and in understanding more about the 'irrational' side of organizational life. Therefore, this Second Edition includes an entirely new section where the key ideas are revisited and illustrated with case studies from a wide range of business organizations, from large corporations to start-ups and family businesses. The aim, however remains the same: to enlarge readers' existing sense-making 'tool-kits' so that they can look at themselves and their organizations with fresh eyes, deepening the emotional intelligence they bring to bear on the challenges they face and providing new possibilities for action. The Unconscious at Work, Second Edition is for managers, leaders, consultants, and anyone working in organizations who has been puzzled, disturbed or challenged by their experiences at work.
📖 Summary
The Unconscious at Work, edited by Anton Obholzer, addresses a fundamental puzzle that frustrates many leaders and employees: why organizations frequently function as less than the sum of their parts, and why morale and effectiveness can suddenly plummet despite the best intentions. Spanning 285 pages in its second edition published in 2019, the book explores the hidden psychological and systemic forces that undermine productivity and create stressful, puzzling workplace environments. Drawing on a rich body of thought and practice known as the Tavistock approach or systems-psychodynamics—which has evolved over the past seven decades—the text sheds light on the unseen emotional currents that circulate within professional groups. The contributors to the volume are all practicing consultants who apply this framework directly to real-world scenarios. They bring these complex concepts to life, translating abstract psychological theories into practical, accessible tools for any reader. Whether one is a seasoned manager, an executive leader, or an external consultant, the book requires no prior familiarity with the underlying psychological concepts to be understood and applied. Instead, it provides a lens through which readers can examine the irrational behaviors, anxieties, and defenses that routinely manifest in organizational life. By acknowledging that workplaces are not merely mechanical structures of tasks and targets, but living systems driven by human emotions and unconscious processes, the book helps diagnose the root causes of dysfunction. It encourages readers to look beyond surface-level conflicts and structural reorganizations to understand the deeper systemic anxieties that trigger defensive routines. Ultimately, The Unconscious at Work offers a transformative perspective on leadership and group dynamics, equipping professionals to navigate workplace complexities with greater emotional intelligence, resilience, and clarity.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Translates complex psychological theory into practical workplace applications.
Authored by experienced practicing consultants with real-world insights.
Accessible to managers and leaders without prior psychological training.
Offers fresh perspectives on persistent organizational inefficiencies and low morale.
⚠️ Cons
May feel abstract to readers who prefer strictly quantitative management approaches.
Focuses heavily on psychological and emotional dynamics rather than tactical business strategies.
❓ FAQ
What is the main premise of The Unconscious at Work? +
The book explores how hidden psychological forces and unconscious dynamics undermine organizational effectiveness and employee morale.
What approach or framework does the book utilize? +
It utilizes the Tavistock approach, also known as systems-psychodynamics, developed over the past 70 years.
Do readers need prior knowledge of psychology to understand the book? +
No, the book is written by practicing consultants who make the framework accessible to any reader regardless of prior familiarity.
Who wrote and edited the book? +
The book is edited by Anton Obholzer and features contributions from various practicing consultants.
How many pages long is the book? +
The second edition of The Unconscious at Work spans 285 pages.
