A Special Issue: Freudian Approach to Consulting
“Psychoanalysis in The Workplace: An Introduction”
Lewis Aaron (2012)
Freud’s psychoanalysis
Originated under clinical psychology, and developed by the one and only, Sigmund Freud. A method that is primarily used in treating mental disorders, the method emphasizes the study of the unconsciousness and its repressed emotions and memories. The main goal of psychoanalysis is to surface what is affecting you internally that is causing physical symptoms. So you may ask, how does this all affect business consulting?
We had the same question as you, after doing some research there were a few researchers which dedicate their psychoanalysis profession to solve business problems and consult business professionals.
Psychoanalysis at work
“[A person that is doing well, should be able] to love and to work”
Lewis Aaron (2012) is a clinical psychologist who focuses on psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysts argue, in a complex organizational setting, there is a need for psychoanalysis – the study of the unconscious. To give a few examples, organizations often overlook the importance of reflecting on one’s thoughts, emotions, and reactions and utilizing this awareness to better understand your role in the organization. It is a pity that most Freudian psychologists focus on love and play instead of work – the exploration of work-life is largely neglected.
After receiving a call from his former patient who had hired Lewis Aaron for marriage counseling once asked: “Doctor, you helped me resolve conflicts with my wife. I’d like you to come to help me work on my troubled relations with my partner” (Aaron, 2012). Following this, Aaron began to consult CEOs from not only a few hedge funds but larger multinational bank corporations as well.
His work is largely psychoanalytical, including areas of “one on one” coaching, improving communication amongst organizations, and working on conflict resolutions with partners. The pace of the business world is fast and cut-throat; the creation of reflective time and space has been shown to lead to new ideas and the generation of better problem-solving solutions. To give a few tangible areas in which Psychoanalysis can help organizations, Lewis Aaron introduces us to a highly experienced consultant who uses psychoanalytically-oriented consulting.
Kenneth Eisold Ph.D. Psychoanalyst
A psychologist who has been consulting to management issues at Boswell Group for a number of years. With his deep understanding of individual and group behaviour, he provides counselling and extensive coaching programmes for executives and leaders. His research and papers focuses extensively on human relations and analytical psychology.
Eisold argues that psychoanalysts are able to contend with conflicts and dilemmas that arise most effectively. Psychoanalysts are able to read behaviours that are puzzling to those who are unfamiliar to their unconscious (most of us). Most organizations and their business executives want to change and adapt, however it is common that they will unconsciously resist giving up old ways of behaving. Psychoanalysts are able to provide an environment in which they are able to diagnose and help guide business executives in making the best decisions for their organization. Below, we synthesize Eisold’s view on how psychoanalysis is significant to organizational life.
Psychoanalysis and organizational issues
References
Aron, L. (2012). Psychoanalysis in the workplace: An introduction. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 22(5), 511-516.
Eisold,K. (2012, December 1). Psychoanalysis at work. Boswell Group. https://boswellgroup.com