Book Review...
The Human Element @ Work is a remarkable collection of 14 stories from authors around the world, each describing how different businesses and groups apply The Human Element, the transformative life work of Dr. Will Schutz. Marsha Clark & Associates’ story—which describes the group dynamics among women of the POWER of Self program—was one of four chosen to represent the United States in this international collaboration.
Author Jane Helsley Velten uses actual transcripts from POWER of Self classes in 2001 and 2002 to offer striking examples of power dynamics within all-women groups. Even successful women, the story points out, still struggle with issues of self-concept and self-esteem, and they daily face questions about who’s in or out; who’s top or bottom; who’s open or closed?
“The challenge is to find the balance that is distinctly you and consciously choose it,” says Marsha, noting that we’re always choosing our experience, but often aren’t doing it consciously. “If you don’t get clear about why you choose what you do, you can end up colluding in your own marginalization.”
In addition to Marsha Clark & Associates’ POWER of Self program, the book includes applications as varied as:
Coaching a Norwegian around-the-world sailing team
Developing leadership capability at the Sydney Opera House
Creating shared management of the Freys hotels in Stockholm
Increasing labor-management cooperation in California school systems
Coaching management skills in a United Kingdom-based financial company
Developing teams at NASA
Gaining productivity in Japan, Denmark and France
Creating a dynamic coaching program in Mexico
