The Structure and Dynamics of Organizations and Groups

Key Concepts and Strategies

In Eric Berne’s book «The Structure and Dynamics of Organizations and Groups», the elegant architecture of human associations is revealed, where each organization appears as a living organism woven with invisible threads of roles, statuses, and hidden scripts. Berne skillfully uncovers the inner fabric of group life, showing how hierarchies are formed, how power is distributed, and how unconscious games shape participants’ behavior. A central theme is the analysis of transactions—the smallest units of communication that compose the complex mosaic of relationships. The author offers strategies for consciously managing these processes: identifying and deciphering hidden motives, recognizing recurring scripts, and harmonizing the interaction between personal and group goals. Berne calls for attentive reading between the lines, for the art of seeing the deep dynamics behind the external structure, where each participant is not just a cog, but a bearer of a unique script that influences the fate of the entire organization.