Lunch Review: James Osterhaus — Author/Consultant

I ate lunch today with Jim Osterhaus, author of The Thing in the Bushes. Rex put us in contact with one another, and we chose to meet at Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande in Ballston, VA (check it out on the platial map). The food was good but the conversation was better…

Jim’s company called TAG helps organizations through change by focusing on relational dynamics within the community. TAG consultants like Jim apply their training in family systems psychology to find the relational core of the problem. Jim says companies often have detailed plans for reaching their goals, but these dreams are improperly executed due to relational tensions.

For example, I currently work temporarily for the Arlington County Government. I help people apply for Food Stamps, Medicaid, and other social services. As a Customer Service Representative, my job is much more than giving people the proper forms and to schedule their meetings with with intake workers. I get paid the big dollars to keep clients calm and focused. Why? Government inefficiency at my level is in large part a result of relational stress instead of fiscal irresponsibility. Stressed clients have more difficulty in explaining their situation, and stressed social workers take longer in helping their clients. When coworker tensions are added to the mix, inefficiency is inevitable.

As a consultant, Jim works to recognize the common spirit that every organization embodies but often neglects. When he hears clients complain about their boss, their coworker, the impending outsource, or the current technological implementation, he looks past the messages that blame other people and questions the relationship (medium) itself.

Jim provided as much support as he could muster for my job search out west, but he didn’t have many direct contacts to leverage. Still, I’m keeping this conversation in my arsenal as I enter the City of Perpetual Light(‘s) Christian Community .

~ by Joseph South on September 17, 2007.