Category Archives: bowen family systems theory

Five Signs of an Anxious Leader

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Israel Galindo

An anxious leader whose primary concern is to be liked, affirmed, or appreciated will find their effectiveness compromised. Here are five signs of an anxious leader. Continue reading →

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Four Facts About Reactivity

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Israel Galindo

Reactivity typically is misdirected at the wrong object. Because leaders occupy the position of greatest responsibility in the system they often are the focus of misdirected and misplaced reactivity. Leaders who have the capacity to remember and accept that “This is not about me” can avoid taking it personally or making the expressions, messages, and behaviors of reactivity a personal issue. Continue reading →

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Homeostasis finds a way

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Israel Galindo

Every move toward change seems to be met with a countermove in the form of resistance, sabotage, entrenchment, confrontation, opposition, passive aggressive strategies, or sheer stubbornness. Experienced leaders never underestimate the power of homeostasis to reestablish systemic equilibrium. Continue reading →

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Ten Toxic Leadership Types

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Israel Galindo

The measure of successful leadership is how well a group performs, over time, in terms of valued outcomes, or the realization of the organization’s mission. Benjamin J. Inyang considers leadership as process which “involves the use of non-coercive influence to … Continue reading →

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Family Secrets in Multigenerational Patterns

Posted on February 7, 2026 by Israel Galindo

Family secrets represent complex phenomena that reflect and reinforce multigenerational patterns of functioning. Through the lens of Bowen Family Systems Theory, we understand that these secrets are not simply about hidden information but about the emotional processes that govern family life. Continue reading →

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Emotional Integration in Organizations

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Israel Galindo

At the conclusion to a recent presentation on leadership in organizations someone asked, “How would you define emotional integration in an organization?” While I did not use that phrase in my presentation, it was a good question. The term integration … Continue reading →

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How To Tell if Trouble is Brewing

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Israel Galindo

If there’s one thing a leader hates the most it may be getting caught by surprise—getting blindsided, waylaid, sideswiped, or caught unprepared. This pitfall sometimes happens because staff or subordinates tend to be hesitant about sharing “bad news” to their … Continue reading →

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Seven Moral Imperatives of Bowen Family Systems Theory

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Israel Galindo

A moral imperative is a principle or duty that one feels compelled to follow based on ethical reasoning. It represents an obligation to act in a certain way because it is morally right, regardless of personal convenience or consequences. Continue reading →

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Triangle games

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Israel Galindo

The concept of the emotional triangle often is referred to as the “building block” for emotional process dynamics in relationship systems (families, churches, organizations, etc.). Dual relationships (one on one) are difficult to maintain so it does not take long … Continue reading →

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Your Mother Was Right: Life’s Not Fair

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Israel Galindo

New post on the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog: “Your Mother Was Right: Life’s Not Fair (and sometimes you should not be).” A reflection on trying to be fair in an anxious system.

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