Transitioning Mindsets

Unlocking the true potential of organisations requires more than just developing individual leaders. It takes a deeper level of engagement and a transformative approach to shifting collective assumptions and beliefs. Discover the key differences between leadership development programs and organisational psychotherapy interventions, and which one is right for your organisation.

Leadership development programs and organisational psychotherapy interventions are two distinct approaches to improving the functioning and performance of organisations. While both aim to enhance organisational effectiveness, they differ in their focus and methods.

Leadership development programs are typically focused on developing the skills and capabilities of individuals within an organisation who are in leadership roles. The goal is to improve their ability to lead and manage teams, communicate effectively, make decisions, and navigate complex organisational dynamics. Leadership development programs can include training, coaching, mentoring, and other forms of development activities. These programs often emphasize the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.

Organisational psychotherapy, on the other hand, focuses on shifting the collective assumptions and beliefs that underlie an organisation’s culture and behaviours. These interventions typically involve a deeper level of engagement with the organisation, including the identification of underlying assumptions and beliefs, the exploration of underlying dynamics, and the creation of a shared sense of purpose. Organisational psychotherapy interventions can include a range of methods, such as group facilitation, dialogue, reflection, and other forms of participatory engagement.

While leadership development programs focus on developing the skills of individual leaders, organisational psychotherapy interventions aim to transform the organisation as a whole. Both approaches can be effective in improving organisational effectiveness, but they require different levels of engagement and investment.

Leadership development programs may be more suitable for organisations that have a well-defined leadership structure and a relatively stable culture, while organisational psychotherapy interventions may be more appropriate for organisations that are undergoing significant change or facing systemic issues.

In summary, while both leadership development programs and organisational psychotherapy aim to improve organisational effectiveness, they differ in their focus and methods. Leadership development programs are focused on developing the skills and capabilities of individual leaders (who may move on), while organisational psychotherapy is focused on shifting the collective assumptions and beliefs that underlie an organisation’s culture and behaviors. Both approaches can be effective, but require different levels of engagement.