We continue our series of articles presenting inspiring and reliable case studies on the use of constellations in different sectors around the world. Sources include both research articles and documented stories from practitioners.

The first article in the series focused on the implementation of constellations in the legal system.. In this article, we will focus on the business and governance area. In the following parts, we look forward to “Applying the constellation method in mental health and health care”.

Organizational constellations in business and management areas

The principles of family constellations have been successfully extended to the development of work collectives and organisations in recent decades. Organizational constellations (also known as systemic arrangements in organizations) are a method where members of a company or team (or their representatives) are placed in a space to symbolically represent different structural elements – for example, departments, roles, market forces or corporate identity. This allows hidden dynamics to be brought to the surface: tensions, loyalties, communication problems and other influencing factors that may be hidden in day-to-day work.

The method originated in the 1990s and has since been widely used in management consultancies around the world [1]. More recent case studies show that constellations can help to resolve even deep-rooted organisational traumas – long-standing mistrust, burn-outs or value conflicts following restructuring.

For example, in 2021, a qualitative study was published in which a number of European business leaders and constellation promoters were interviewed. As a result, the study described a phased model of how systemic interventions can help to bring to light the trauma that lies within an organisation and facilitate its gradual healing [1].

Case studies highlight that the use of organisational constellations has enabled:

• Improve communication within the team
• Resolving conflicts in the sub-courts
• Reduce anxiety by creating a safe space to bring hidden issues out into the open.

In particular, it has been stressed that organisational constellations are effective precisely where traditional solutions – such as conventional team training or conversations – have not produced the desired results.

Benefit for businesses

Researchers Nikolić and Dermol concluded in their 2021 study that organisational constellations are a “valid method for healing and preventing trauma” in an organisational context [1].

Although the volume of academic quantitative research is still limited, the experience and feedback from participants has been consistently positive.

Insights from constellations are described as surprisingly accurate and practical for organisational development [1] [2].

Many multinational companies have used the organisation’s constellations:

• To support strategic planning
• To streamline the mergers and acquisitions process.
• Improving team dynamics
• To facilitate change management

Often, the use of such processes remains internal to the company. However, in Europe, specific training courses have been set up for managers and consultants who want to learn how to understand and apply systemic factors for business success.

Business constellations in Estonia

It is gratifying to note that there are also a number of experienced constellation builders in Estonia who specialise in conducting organisational and business constellations. One of the most prominent practitioners is Tarvo Tendal, whose work has predominantly focused on resolving team conflicts, fostering cooperation and supporting development. His approach includes developing leaders through coaching, supporting professionals through supervision and supporting teams through either coaching or conflict sessions.

Such a conscious and systematic approach helps to create a more holistic and balanced organisational culture here in Estonia.

💚 If you would like to find the right constellation for you or find out more about the options available, we invite you to meet the professionals on the Belong platform: See constellations here.

Sources

📗[1] Journal “Human Systems Management”(How organizational systemic constellations foster organizational trauma healing)

📗[2] Article Systemic working: the constellations approach | Semantic Scholar