The participants who attend the annual Complexity and Management conference experience the same dynamics as members of any other group, even if it’s a temporary group. For example, one repeating theme at the conference is the established/outsider dynamic of those who have been through the Doctor of Management programme, or are currently on it, and those who haven’t. Participants who have been exposed to the programme because they are graduates, or because they are regular conference attenders are likely to talk in a way which may feel exclusionary to those who are new. Almost every year, new attendees at the conference raise the question as to whether we could have done more to make them feel welcome. There is always the ghost of the DMan-demon at the conference.

For this reason we are holding a one day introductory workshop on Friday 2^nd June, to present some of the key ideas which inform the perspective of complex responsive processes of relating. It is a public workshop open to all, not just those who will go on to attend the conference For those who do, it may, or may not, make a difference to the quality of their participation. The conference begins the same evening with supper at 7pm.

You can book for the one day workshop, for the workshop and conference, or just for the conference here. There is a discount for early-bird booking before April 30^th. For more details on the workshop, continue reading below:

The one day workshop will be run by Professor Ralph Stacey, and Professor Chris Mowles. Ralph Stacey founded the DMan programme along with Doug Griffin and Patricia Shaw. He started publishing on complexity and management in the early 90s and his substantial body of work continues to shape and inform the evolving perspective which combines insights from the natural and social sciences. You can see his list of publications on this blog. Chris is currently director of the DMan programme, having taken over from Ralph in 2011 and has added to the oeuvre – the list of his publications is also on this blog.

The day will be organized along these lines, and will require participants to bring examples of some of the dilemmas they are facing at work. The workshop will start at 9.30am.

Session 1         Some key insights from the complexity sciences for thinking about    managing organizations. Ralph Stacey

Session 2         Participants discuss these ideas in relation to their practical experience at work.                        Plenary.

Session 3         Some key theories from the social sciences: power, process and communication.  Chris Mowles          

                        Q and A.

 Session 4         Experiencing uncertainty live: reflective group to consider the dynamics of this particular group in relation to the theories which have been explored during the day.

Finish at 5pm.