The Limitations of Technical Expertise
Throughout my career, marked by numerous international missions, I have encountered an undeniable reality: technical expertise alone is not enough to drive sustainable change. In my early days, specializing in finance, I had the tools to identify problems and propose appropriate solutions. However, these recommendations, while relevant, were not always implemented. Why? The answer lies partly in a factor that is often underestimated: psychology.
The Need for Psychological Understanding
Faced with this reality, I felt the need to complement my technical expertise with training in psychology, eventually earning a master’s degree in the field. This journey allowed me to better understand resistance to change, a phenomenon that is pervasive in organizations, particularly within government teams. These resistances, though seemingly irrational, often stem from individuals’ fears, habits, and mental representations.
The Role of Culture and Representation
Managing government teams requires a deep understanding of human dynamics, interactions between individuals, and cultural influences. Not all cultures construct their environment in the same way. Each person forms a mental map of the world, a framework that helps them make sense of their surroundings. To establish constructive and effective dialogue, it is essential to understand and respect these representations. This skill becomes even more crucial in an international context, where cultural differences can be a source of misunderstandings or conflicts.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
Beyond technical aspects, it is imperative to adopt a global or holistic approach when managing or evaluating a public service. Often, managers or evaluators focus solely on factual aspects, neglecting the human, cultural, and organizational beliefs and values that shape behaviors. Yet, these elements are crucial for fully understanding how an organization functions or how it can be improved. This holistic approach also applies to the private sector, but the challenge in the public sector lies in the immovability of certain positions. This institutional rigidity requires skills in negotiation and influence to move things forward. It becomes essential to navigate with diplomacy and sensitivity, integrating human and cultural dimensions into decision-making and the implementation of recommendations.
The Power of Generative Listening
Through my studies in psychology and my practice as a coach, I have also developed what is known as “generative listening,” a concept introduced by Otto Scharmer. This form of listening goes beyond merely understanding words; it allows one to perceive the intentions, emotions, and deep aspirations of others. It is a type of listening that fosters co-creation and the emergence of innovative solutions, tailored to the real needs of people and teams.
Conclusion: A Synergy of Technical and Psychological Expertise
In the end, integrating psychology into the management of government teams is not only beneficial but indispensable. It helps overcome natural resistance to change, promotes better intercultural communication, and creates an environment where solutions are not just imposed but accepted and implemented with conviction. By combining technical expertise with psychological understanding, we can truly transform organizations, making them more resilient, more effective, and more human.
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