My Approach
What happens in people’s behavior and communication follows an internal logic. Those who understand it can shape change in a targeted way—effectively and sustainably.
My work is based on two models that I use in combination: systems theory for the organizational context and transactional analysis for the individual and interpersonal levels.
Systems Theory – Understanding the Interplay Between People, Communication, and Systems
Social systems—teams, departments, organizations—develop their own patterns, rules, and dynamics. These are often invisible, yet highly effective. Systems theory makes them visible and, as a result, manageable. How we think, feel, and behave depends on the individual, the group, or the environment in which we find ourselves. Sometimes this happens quite consciously, but most often unconsciously.
System theory bases its definition on precisely this phenomenon. My systemic work therefore focuses in particular on social systems and their elements, influences, and chains of effects. In this way, the attributes and variables of a social system that become apparent can be actively influenced. For my clients, this fosters social effectiveness and individual agency within their teams.
“The systems approach is geared towards recognizing interconnections and complex cause-and-effect relationships, making it particularly suitable for grasping intricate processes within organizations. It counteracts inappropriate, isolated perspectives and leads to the discovery of previously unknown relationships.”
(Ulrich 1970, p. 135f., cited in König/Volmer, 2018 p. 34)
Transactional Analysis – Decoding Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics and Identifying Behavioral Patterns
All communication—whether in management meetings, during conflicts, or in everyday life—follows an internal logic. Transactional Analysis helps identify these patterns and gives people the tools to consciously act differently. In Transactional Analysis (TA), every form of communication—whether verbal or nonverbal—is understood as a transaction. This includes both interactions with others and one’s own inner dialogue.
Transactional Analysis (TA) models and concepts make it possible to analyze and evaluate these transactions in terms of their coherence and effectiveness—both in personal and professional contexts. People who become aware of their communication in this way develop autonomy in language and behavior. This is the goal of Transactional Analysis.
“Transactional Analysis is a theory of human personality and a form of psychotherapy that aims to foster both the development and transformation of an individual's personality.”
(Stewart & Joines 2015, pp. 23f.)