FAQs

How much does it cost to attend a workshop?

The 2011 London workshops are charged at just £155 per person per person in order to provide an accessibly priced way into this way of working with systems. These workshops attract a mix of people who are new to the work as well as those with more experience. Whether attending as a novice or with lots of experience, whether attending as an issue holder, an observer, a leader or coach the price is the same – everyone has an equal place and an equal opportunity to learn through experience and enquiry.

Who are these workshops designed for?

These introductory one-day workshops are designed for business and organisational leaders, coaches and HR professionals to provide an experiential learning. As part of the day everybody will have the opportunity to experience the methodology – both in the exercises offered as part of the day and in the whole group constellations during the workshop.

The workshops offer a particularly good way for people who are new to this work to ‘test the water’ – especially as there is no need to decide if you want to explore your own issue or come as an observer and representative before the workshop. Issues that come up for you can be addressed in the moment, and as it feels appropriate for you. As a result the day offers a rich experience and provides a learning about the methodology, the natural organising principles that sustain organisational leadership, teams, coaching and business vitality.

Is this a training in systemic constellations?

These one day workshops are not a training – though one of the best ways of learning about this work is to experience it through workshops – however training is available for coaches, internal coaches and HR professionals through an annual learning circle

What about confidentiality?

At the start of the workshop an appropriate confidentiality framework will be negotiated and agreed with the whole group. This can be reviewed at any time as required. In addition it is possible to constellate issues ‘blind’, where almost no information is shared in the group and the facilitator works with only the basic information and towards a resolution.

I’d prepared my story and so was surprised when you suggested that we do a ‘blind’ constellation. You simply asked me what outcome I wanted and I said I needed to have a difficult conversation with two other people and that was all the data you worked with. I remember thinking ‘that isn’t going to work’ – but I was proved very wrong!

Do I have to have an ‘issue’ in order to attend the workshop?

No. You are welcome to bring an issue or attend as an observer or ‘representative’ for others’ work. Simply attending as an observer has an impact and provides a range of insights that increase the capacity to manage the complexity of the human experience in organisational systems. If there are several people wanting to work at the same time, we support the negotiation until it is fully resolved. This in itself is a systemic practice – everyone has an equal place, an equal voice and the balance of giving and receiving is acknowledged.

Participants will often find themselves very engaged in and affected by other’s work, and so the need or expectation of bringing a constellation, or indeed the reverse, of not bringing one, often changes as the day goes on. This is why we take this open, inclusive and flexible approach to the day, because it allows all those present to tap into and benefit from a shared experience of the universal dynamics that influence all human systems.

Each participant has an opportunity to benefit from the day in a number of ways:

• By hearing about the organising principles which sustain systems and asking questions about them and the methodology.
• By having a constellation facilitated for an issue or question they have brought. (Being an ‘issue holder’)
• By taking part in someone else’s constellation. (Being a ‘representative’)
• By simply observing another participants constellations and the day as it unfolds.
• By asking questions about complex or stuck issues in the relationship systems in which they work as leaders or coaches.

What is the timing for the day?

As these workshops often attract coaches, consultants and leaders from across Europe and everyone’s time is at a premium it’s important to start the workshops promptly at 10:00 so we can close at 17:00 and allow those who have to catch flights to leave. Others are welcome to stay until 17:45 for informal Q&A as appropriate.

Where are the workshops held?

These quarterly workshops are held in a light and spacious venue in Islington, North London called The Window. Please see their site for information, however directions together with full full joining instructions are sent to you after confirmation and payment.

What do I need to know to take part in a workshop?

Nothing. In fact the less you ‘know’ or think you need to know the better able you will be able to access the deeper dynamics that influence human relationship, coaching and leadership systems. Come as you are, not knowing and you may leave with more that you imagined possible.

What if I have questions?

Questions are welcome at points throughout the day in between the constellations work itself. Questions often arise in the moment and provide good opportunities for rich learnings.