ABSTRACT
This response is a reflection on Christine Thornton’s five questions that serve as a tool to aid the consultant in recognizing and avoiding joining an unconscious organizational game. This game scapegoats staff and avoids the underlying management issues which need to be addressed. This can only be achieved when there is full cooperation at the highest level in the system.
Although in the example she gives it was not possible to work with the CEO, the consultant was able to make a meaningful contribution to the staff team. The intervention was effective in that she was able to provide the understanding and containment needed in order for managers who had previously worked independently to begin to work together as a team.
