Benefits of the Problematic Moment Approach: 
Finding Underlying Meaning in Group Dialogue

This new approach to group work integrates theories of group dynamics from The Tavistock Institute (group-as-a-whole perspective), the National Training Laboratories Institute (interpersonal relationships perspective), and Critical Discourse Analysis (the use of power through language).

The Problematic Moment Approach helps group members to analyze actual dialogue to illuminate group dynamics. It provides an opportunity for change and development in working groups. "The fact that silence can hint at tensions or undesirable ideas arising is fascinating," wrote one person who participated in an analysis of problematic moments in her group. "Silence being moments of one's true self coming through, and speaking as a way of hiding is a powerful idea. To be able to interpret the silence would be a great key to successful communication."

Managers, team leaders, change agents, internal consultants, and members of organizations who are working with new organizational forms (or transitioning to them). With the introduction of self-managed teams, flatter hierarchies, and restructuring efforts, the group as a social unit has become even more important.

The Problematic Moment Approach helps group members to expand their awareness of the complex overt and covert group and organizational dynamics in which they are all embedded, and to make appropriate interventions to enable the group to become more creative and productive.