“… When what’s needed is imagination”: using remote platforms for group relations and organisational practices

Abstract

This article positions itself at a particular moment in time to benchmark the shift to online working for group relations and organisational consultancy practices. Drawing on varied experiences of working online during the global pandemic of 2020, the authors describe the impact that remote working is having on traditional assumptions about systems-psychodynamic work. It contributes to an appraisal of what different approaches are needed in the online sphere. It discusses the oppor-tunities for more global participation and the current challenges to existing cultural assumptions. The article is structured around the themes of: setting the scene—opening the window to online working; losing and finding ourselves in the online space; the renaissance of lateral approaches to leadership; the question of where the unconscious goes in 2D space; and finally looks at implications for structuring the online space, including design issues for workshops and conferences.