What is Group Relations?

Group relations theory offers a dynamic lens for exploring conscious and unconscious behavior within groups, organizations, and social systems. More specifically, group relations thinking offers insight into our experiences of group life across different contexts such as at home, in the workplace, an in society at large.

Through group relations, we can explore the interplay between leadership and authority, membership, and group identity, to better understand our behavior in groups and the behavior of others.

The group relations approach to learning is through experience. Thus, a group relations conference (GRC) is often described as an "experiential learning opportunity" to study one's experience in a temporary organizational system. A GRC is an intensive participatory process that affords members the opportunity to study their behavior as it happens in real-time without the distractions of everyday social niceties, workplace pressures, or protocols. In this unique environment, hidden aspects of our every day are often brought to light. These behaviors and their meanings are engaged and explored in ways not usually considered. Typically, a team of consultants assist the group in determining what thoughts, feelings, and actions – both conscious and unconscious – support our effectiveness and which detract from it. Participants in experiential conferences often report “aha” moments that can last for days, months or a lifetime.

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