Overview of
Systemic
Constellations
White paper
Francesco Pimpinelli
Professional Certified Coach
What are Systemic Constellations?
“Constellation” is a technical term used in human science to
identify a system as a set of elements in relationship to each other,
such that the word Constellation may refer to any set of related
elements in a team, an organization, in relationship or with respect
to key elements of a project.
The Systemic approach enables one to see a situation or a problem
within its entire context, working with the elements in the current
system, so as to understand which elements in the Constellation,
or relationships amongst its elements, are functional and which
ones have a disruptive influence.
On this basis, it is then possible to transform issues and obstacles
to bring order and harmony into the system, by changing how the
elements operate and relate to each other.
Systemic Constellations are effective in transforming the systemic
hidden dynamics by creating harmony amongst the elements,
enabling energy to flow and allowing the individual to operate in
the best conditions. In this way we move the Constellation from a
problem space to a solution space.
The use of Systemic Constellations in coaching provides the
opportunity of understanding reality as it is, beyond the limits set
by our habits and cognitive framework, to discover new and fresh
solutions to problems and to support the achievement of desired
goals.
Future
Present
Problem
space
Systemic
Constellation
Solution
space
Where do they come from?
Systemic Constellations are a methodology created in Germany
over the last twenty years and now spreading quickly around the
world.
The main principles were defined by Bert Hellinger in his work on
Family Constellations. He was influenced by different disciplines
and therapies such as Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Psychodrama
and Virginia Satir’s family sculptures.
Hellinger created an innovative and new approach to family therapy,
which opened up a new understanding with amazing results. He
discovered the Orders in human systems and how to use these
to bring harmony, healing and reconciliation to families, groups,
organizations and country communities.
Based on Bert Hellinger’s work, Systemic Constellations were then
further developed via different contributions, including Gunthard
Weber (applications in organizations), Insa Sparrer and Matthias
Varga von Kiebed (structural approach).
Nowadays Systemic Constellations comprise a larger set which
include Family, Organization, Psychosomatic and Structural
Constellations, to name a few areas of application.
Why Systemic Constellations
in Coaching?
Hereafter, we are specifically interested in the new field of
application which fits the context and practice of business coaching.
Leveraging the power of Systemic Constellations can move
business coaching to the next level, in terms of transformational
impact.
With this perspective there are four important assumptions to keep
in mind:
• Systemic Constellations are different from Family Constellations,
as they are applied to the coaching context rather than to family
therapy, although they are based on the same theoretical
foundation.
• In coaching we are interested in the application of constellations
across different areas, including Organizations, Teams and
Personal development, both at work and in private life.
• Systemic Constellations can easily be used in a business
coaching practice without using the typical circle structure used
in family constellations.
• In business coaching Systemic Constellations are used mostly
in one-on-one sessions usually because of a lack of availability
of representatives, the need for confidentiality, and to protect a
client from exposing personal issues to a group of colleagues.
The Systemic View:
Organizations, Teams and Individuals
An association, a company, a business function, a project and
a team, just like a family, are all systems composed of related
elements. They all have a structure, a goal, and are animated by
both visible and hidden dynamics.
people who work for it, with different roles, performing a variety
of tasks. In every company there are hierarchies, responsibilities,
rights and duties: thus creating a network of relationships amongst
different players who interact via exchanges which may be both
tangible and intangible, so that a company is a well defined system
with its own physical, technical and cultural features.
Clients
Partners
Family
Relationships
Distributors
Mind
Emotions
Body
Individual
Team
Company
Suppliers
Institutions
Interest groups
Communities
Hobbies
Competitors
In a company there are three main dimensions -organizational,
team and individual – and it is important to consider them all.
Life within an organization, no matter what kind of company
or which industry, is normally focused on managing resources,
implementing processes and procedures, reaching their objectives,
managing change and resolving challenges.
Then comes the area of teamwork and cross functional
collaboration, where alignment, clear rules, cultural attitudes,
interpersonal relationships and cooperation are critical success
factors. Effective teamwork and collaboration are key enablers to
organizational effectiveness and business success.
Finally, at the individual level, they deal with issues such as
performance, skills, attitudes, motivation and development. When
we work with people we consider a whole view of the human being
including body, mind and emotions, we know how people can make a
difference when they are passionate and committed in what they do.
So that the sustainable success of a company is based on all these
dimensions, their balance, and their overall coherence.
A Systemic approach improves the coaching process’ accuracy
and efficiency, allowing one to define and achieve sustainable
objectives quickly and easily with a long term positive impact.
Systemic coaching enables us to:
• keep in mind the overall purpose whilst identifying the truly
important elements to focus on during the coaching process
• find “ecological” solutions, with no undesirable side effects,
sustainable and compatible with the overall purpose and vision
• provide a WE perspective, so that the focus is not only on the
individual or the function, but also on the success and prosperity
of the overall system
• make the system more whole so that harmonized individual
energies can contribute to creating efficient and productive
collaboration towards higher performance
Systemic Constellations provide a very powerful framework
and toolset to embed the systemic approach into coaching. This
enables Coaches to provide the best possible support to the
Leaders they serve.
How a Systemic View is crucial for Leaders
In our current economical context, leaders face an increasing level
of complexity and an unprecedented speed of change which puts
huge pressure to provide, in a short time, the business results
expected by stakeholders. It’s a challenging situation different from
the past, and very often leaders try to face this new challenge with
approaches that worked in the past, but are no longer relevant in
the current circumstances.
A typical case is that of companies relying on an old business
model, missing the fact that the world has changed permanently
and they are required to re-align their business model by adopting
a customer centric approach, integrating new technologies
and dealing with a new global business context, with different
speeds of growth, demographics, social systems and purchasing
preferences; today’s and tomorrow’s leaders need to make a
radical shift in their approach, attitudes and their view of the world.
Systemic approaches and Constellations are a key opportunity in
better understanding and successfully redirecting the complexity
Facts
Needs
Purpose and key Elements
Complexity can sometimes be disorienting or overwhelming, and
firefighting with no clear work focus can exhaust energies and
destroy motivation. The most effective action to take is to focus
on the purpose, define priorities and identify the key elements that
require attention.
When solving a problem or improving a situation it is essential
to begin by focusing on the facts; to identify the real needs to be
addressed (important needs that require a solution), only then is it
possible to clarify the overall purpose and describe the objectives;
and after that we identify the key elements – e.g. people, resources
- which have a real impact on the desired outcome.
Ecology of solutions
The effect of our decisions have an effect in time and space.
Time wise it is important to consider the lessons and the learning
from the past, and although the short term results are crucial, it
Desired
outcome
of personal, relational and organizational issues in the modern
enterprise.
They can be very helpful in supporting leaders on this new journey
in a variety of ways.
Key
elements
Action
is as equally as important to consider the medium to long term
implications of our decisions.
Space wise it is important to consider the effect of changes across
different parts of an organization, including the possible actors and
stakeholders outside of the organization.
WE perspective
In any leadership role, it is fundamental to think, feel and act from
a WE position in order to effectively contribute to both the team
and the organization. This attitude creates a “we are in the same
boat” kind of spirit and overcomes different positions by finding
the best solutions according to a higher/wider common purpose.
We work as allies and according to a common interest, we sponsor
people and projects which help make our world/company/team a
place where people want to belong, where we support motivation,
engagement, passion and ultimately, sustainable success.
When we work with others from a specific fixed position rooted
in our subjective point of view, role, function, desire or personal
agenda, the outcome is often conflict. When this is true the
attention is on the other – You - who challenges our interest and
is perceived as an obstacle. A more effective way is to focus on
the self – I – where you take responsibility, give yourself goals, act
proactively and are open to learning from the experience. Using
this attitude, you are able to evaluate pros and cons at a rational
level to negotiate the best solution.
YOU
I
WE
Juxtaposition
Deal with obstacles
Blame and complain
Rigid and victim
Personal responsibility
Set goals
Get results
Pro-active
Common interest
Solution oriented
Systemic view
Facilitator
Conflict
Negotiation
Alliance
Wholeness
In our current working environment we usually need to achieve
bigger and better results in a shorter timeframe with lower costs
(which means less resources) in a tougher market context. Good
performance is based on reaching results and expressing positive
behaviors, which include social skills: safety in numbers!
The side effect of this increasing level of pressure is increasing
conflict, this manifests in the working environment through outer
conflicts which generate lack of collaboration, weak motivation and
poor execution. But it also shows up through inner conflict as a
poor ability to cope with stress, toxic behaviors due to emotional
blackmail, little work-life balance and burn out.
Nowadays, What we do and the results we achieve are somehow
a given, How we achieve those results makes the difference in
our overall performance. This put an enormous amount of stress
on people’s weaker spots so that everybody needs to improve
teamwork, people management, personal leadership, emotional
intelligence, social skills and work-life integration.
Creating more wholeness – inside as well as outside - is a key
competence for today’s leaders. It is about being able to manage
both yourself in a constructive way– personal state, emotions,
presence, integrity – as well as others – social skills, cooperation,
empathy, relationships, in order to create more productive and
successful working environments.
Systemic Constellations in Coaching
Systemic Constellations provide a powerful set of tools to enhance
your coaching practice.
They are an effective methodology for use in individual, team
and group coaching to support clients in achieving their goals.
They assist in finding solutions to important issues – personal,
relational, operational or organizational - for example, to evaluate
the consequences of a decision, to clarify steps towards a
project’s success or to identify the key critical factors of a change
management program.
They provide powerful tools to guide clients through an experiential
exercise, creating a shift in perception of a particular situation,
increasing the client’s level of awareness, flexibility and choice,
and may be integrated seamlessly alongside existing coaching
approaches, adding a visual and somatic approach to the coaching.
During coaching, Constellations can powerfully impact the
performance of the individual, team or organization. For example,
assisting the coaching client to:
• Explore a practical situation or relationship from a different
perspective, to reveal how things really are and to find new
ways to act
• Evaluate the effects of a specific business decision, a new
strategy or an innovative business project in advance, in order
to minimize risk and maximize investment
• Transform a difficult relationship or toxic team dynamic into
creating a more productive work environment
• Experience sustainable changes in individual attitudes and
behaviors by acknowledging, expanding and integrating
personal resources.
The unique feature of Systemic Constellation is that they enable
one to transform a specific situation – personal, relational, practical
- by working in the system, without the need for the presence of
other people who may be involved.
The change happening in our inner world affects our outer world,
and the solution steps impact reality directly, including people who
are not present and do not take part in the constellation.
What is really fascinating in using Systemic Constellations is how
quickly and easily we can move from a problem to a solution space.
When using Systemic Constellations in coaching, we always start
with a significant and important question from the client. Then we
identify the key elements under consideration, so that the client
can map out how he/she perceives the situation by means of a
visual representation. In this way we can bring light to a situation
and understand the ongoing dynamics, including aspects that are
apparently invisible.
We then guide the client to explore how to shift the system into
a better state or configuration by using all of the senses (auditory,
visual, kinesthetic). In this way we move toward a solution which
clarifies both an understanding of the current situation as well as the
next steps to act upon, not only at a cognitive level but at a deeper
existential level which include thoughts, emotions and feelings.
Finally, this new awareness enables the client to move into action
from a space of better clarity, readiness, resourcefulness and
empowerment.
Applications and examples
Everything is a system and everything is connected. Actually
everything and everybody is defined by relationships, this idea
looks familiar when we think of a biological, mechanical or abstract
system of interconnected elements. But paradoxical as it may look,
without relationships we wouldn’t know we exist as human beings!
As any human being is a system made up of body, organs, emotions,
feelings, ideas, beliefs and values, Systemic Constellations can be
used for personal development and transformation, by working on
different inner parts of an individual to mobilize resources, overcome
limiting behaviors and support the achievement of a specific goal.
They can be used when working with teams: an executive team,
a project team or business partners who are running their own
company. In the case of an intact team, Systemic Constellations
are useful in aligning the team members to a common purpose or
working approach, harmonizing relationships, making interactions
more constructive, evaluating the best fit candidate to hire or
include in an existing team, and allowing everybody to have the
best place/role in order to provide the most effective personal
contribution in getting the team to perform at a higher level. They
can also be used for systems based on abstract elements, such as
a project, an organization or in decision making.
In the case of an innovative project, for example, it is possible
to verify and correct the existing relationship between an idea,
available resources, actions and the end-users/client to “simulate”
the effectiveness of the outcome for both the supplier and the client.
We can also carry out the “systemic diagnosis” of a company in
order to check its health condition and the relationships among its
functions (purchasing, logistics, production, marketing, sales, after
sales support), look at the relationships with customers, partners
or suppliers, and verify the effects of a reorganization beforehand
in order to implement what is useful, to maximize the positive
impact on the business.
As a question of choice, it is possible to evaluate all the available
options to make better informed decisions. This can apply to
choosing a next career step, a new direction for the future, an
investment strategy, an advertising campaign, a supplier that can
better serve the business, which new products to focus on or
which old ones to let go, just to mention a few examples, always
paying attention to the creative element which may often produce
a new unexpected solution.
Should you wish to experience coaching based on Systemic Constellations or you are interested in the Discovery Training to learn the skills
in order to use Systemic Constellations in your coaching practice, please refer to our website www.systemalive.com.
Author: Francesco Pimpinelli
I have been a Coach and a practitioner of Systemic Constellations
since 2002, with broad experience in utilizing this method in the
business context. Through the years I have refined my competence
to use it in a way which is simple and approachable to everybody.
I have had several teachers including the creator of the method as
well as the main developers: Bert Hellinger, Insa Sparrer, Mattias
Varga Von Kiebed, Bertold Ulsamer and Gunthard Weber.
I am a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach
Federation (ICF) and a Professional Certified Counselor with Centre
Cultural European Jean Monnet (Belgium), with a broad background
in different holistic methods to support people development.
My coaching education is primarily from studying in the US and UK.
I am also a certified NLP Practitioner, Master and Trainer from NLP
University (US).
I have integrated a 18+ of years experience in management and
consulting on an international level with an intercultural perspective
and considerable competence in the field of personal growth.
I currently work as a coach with top teams and executives both in
Italy and in Europe across different industries.
You can reach me at [email protected].
Website: www.systemalive.com.
Via Verona 11 - 20135 Milano, I
+39 02 3655 0163
[email protected]
systemalive.com