Introduction

In 1947, the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations was separately incorporated as an applied research body in its own right to pursue this consultancy mission as part of the Tavistock Clinic. The Tavistock Consultancy Service (TCS) approach is significant in placing the exploration of non-rational, unconscious, and systemic processes at the centre of its work. This makes it possible to tackle conflict, stress and dysfunction head-on and thereby get more quickly to the roots, whether of organizational problems and dilemmas or of the challenges of creativity in individuals, groups, and organizations. The staff and associates of TCS have initiated programmes of work as consultants, researchers and trainers across a wide spectrum of private, public and voluntary organizations, both in the UK and overseas. The Trust established the TCS as a specialized unit within the Trust to carry out consultancy work. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.