SAVI (System for Analyzing Verbal Interactions) maps communication behaviors that contribute noise and those that build clarity in any human system: organizations, work groups, families, clients and everyday life. Learn to use communication patterns to “see” the system: how it is built by contributions from all the members — and how to shift your own behavior to build more productive and satisfying interactions. Recognize repetitive, unproductive communication loops and explore alternative system patterns that free energy for problem-solving and work.

If we – in any system we function in – are able to observe and change unproductive communication patterns to productive ones with a supportive work climate, goals can met and we contribute to sustainable change.

SAVI (System for Analyzing Verbal Interactions) maps communication behaviors that contribute noise and those that build clarity in any human system: organizations, work groups, families, clients and everyday life. Learn to use communication behavior to “see” the system: how it is built by contributions from all the members — and how it influences what members contribute! Recognize repetitive, unproductive communication loops and explore alternative system patterns that free energy for problem-solving and work. This is a core SCT training.

Behavioral observation systems are well-established in the research and clinical fields. This particular model, System for Analyzing Verbal Interaction, has been used for research in 4 dissertations, reported as a group process tool in 4 peer-reviewed publications, and is currently used for data collection in 3 as yet unpublished ongoing studies. It has a sound theoretical base in both field theory (Kurt Lewin) and information theory (Shannon), and builds on the work of Bales and others who developed observation systems to study classroom interactions.

This workshop is an Institute at the 2024 SCT Annual Conference.