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by agumonkey 138 days ago
Any books about workgroup power dynamics ? i'm fascinated (morbidly in a way) by that
2 comments

Harvard Business Review's Office Politics. Or any intro Industrial Psychology textbook.
Keith Johnstone: Impro
Is it ISBN-13: 978-0878301171?

Or ASIN B01K2J06SY

The first one is the classic. Don't know about the second one.

Power dynamics have been extensively investigated by the "Johnstone school" of improv, because humans are (mostly preconsciously i.e. usually are not but can become conscious about it) interested in power dynamics -- especially in situations where power balance is switching -- so this is the key if you want improvise acts that feel realistic and capture the audience attention.

To really understand it, I would recommend taking some improv classes that are based on Johnstone's teachings. But the book will give you the idea.

I tried digging around keith johnstone but i could only find theatrical improv which, unless it flies above my head, had very few to do with the workplace dynamics of real jobs. Unless the concept is to insist on the fact that adult life is just a play and treat your day like a space of randomness to disrupt the established roles ?
The book is not only about improvisation theatre but I don't want to describe the ideas, as they can spoil the experience of reading it for you. I have yet to find another source that can describe the power dynamics (also in life) as succintly as he can.
Ok thanks, worth a try then