ABSTRACT
Neutrality is a key concept in systemic thinking. The linear and the circular approach both have an important position in systemic thinking. Linear thinking lets the members of an organization supply the necessary building blocks for the circular approach. Many writers have contributed to an understanding of the concepts, and the concepts have changed in meaning from the early stages of systemic thinking. The greatest shift was the change from first- to second-order cybernetics. The consultant working from systemic inspiration has to know and master both approaches and be able to switch between them. Irreverence means the courage to question critically one's own ideas as a therapist and consultant, combined with respect for the persons with whom one works. The chapter describes five basic methods for intervention. They are inspired by N. McCaughan and B. Palmer and by Cooperrider: positive reframing, directions for action, containment or maintenance of the status quo, reflections, and metaphors.
