2 Communication Models Institute for systemic consulting, Wiesloch (Germany) www.isb-w.de

The cultural encounter model of communication Institute for systemic consulting, Wiesloch (Germany) www.isb-w.de

Model of 'mechanical' communication Sender A Receiver B Channel

Model of communication as cultural encounter Commu- nication / encounter Reality of person or system A Reality of person or system B

Implications of the cultural encounter model describes communication as encounter of cultures (personal, professional, regional, etc.) does not assume that mutual understanding is normal each communicator involved is predominantly orientated to his/her own reality necessary to study the realities of the sender and of the recipient assumes that creating shared reality is a necessary extra effort

Encounter levels of communication

Roots and transformations based on Schiff et al.1975 (discount levels) problems usually appear on level 4 but are due to mismatching on levels 1-3 changes in Schiff's terminology in order to describe relationships between equals shows different levels of shared frames of reference, which build up into shared realities

Transformations of cathexis concepts by Bernd Schmid Discount  + account + recount Redefine  + define + co-define Discount levels  levels of matching realities Symbiosis  enlargements of horizons (e.g. organizations)  responsibility dialogues + -culture

Based on Schiff et. al. Cathexis reader Frame of reference: a meta program which integrates all ego-states and their interaction The ego-states activate frames of reference and Frames of reference activate ego-states and interactions

Transformed Frame of reference/culture: Metaprogram which organizes roles and plays. Professional roles activate frame of references and Frames of reference activate roles and the interplay of roles.

Encounter of realities Essential communicative competence: clarifying and creating frames of reference consciously regulating attention on clients and also on professional steps to encounter of realities internal and external creating of reality and establishing a shared reality

The dialogue model of communication Institute for systemic consulting, Wiesloch (Germany) www.isb-w.de

Dialogue model of communication

Dialogue model of communication Refers to the intuition concepts of Berne,Jung and Erickson Shows how methodical and intuitive levels of communication together contribute to co-created realities Professional competence and organizational culture depend on focussed dialogues between these spheres Analytical and methodological processes on the surface, in dialogue with intuitive, creative, meaningful background forces, set the stage for personal and professional self-guidance and for performance and vitality in complex organizations.

"Narrative" dimensions of who or what meets in the dialogue? Behavior Attitudes Personal myths Myths +traditions from other backgrounds

Foreground > Background are observer's categories What is considered as foreground? / in which context? Clinical TA: psychological and developmental background (motivation, re-enacting, biography) Organizational work: needs more dimensions of reality like organizational roles, structures, market dynamics, technical and economical criteria in shaping processes (content and context) Others: meeting of society forces of all kind (e.g. milieu)

The challenge Not habitually bringing background to the foreground Create and take care of useful foreground communication In accordance and/or dialogue with helpful backgrounds Sensitive to background forces at work Leave room for what is creating itself intuitively Meta-communication if necessary