Conflict Theatre

When we face complex problems or conflicts at work, it is tempting to search for expert answers or neat coaching frameworks. Yet some of the most powerful insights come not from advice but from surprising perspectives we did not expect to encounter.

On Tuesday evening, thirteen of us sat in a circle of chairs for an evening exploring our conflicts through lenses borrowed from systemic constellation and forum theatre. Into that circle we brought real tensions and live questions from work.

The group’s reflections on the evening included:
1 Saying sorry did not look or feel like giving up power, despite what some participants expected.
2 Literally standing in another person’s place revealed their priorities in a way analysis never could.
3 Talking 'as' the other is far more powerful than talking 'about' them.
4 It was difficult to sustain an argument when both parties were voiced by the same person.
5 From the facilitator’s perspective, participants had a backstage pass to the struggles of others.
6 Stepping back from the constellation and advising the two parties as if they were present opened yet another layer of insight.

Systemic constellations and Forum Theatre are two experiential methods that open these perspectives. They are not coaching tools in the conventional sense. Instead, they invite us into an embodied exploration of our own dilemmas, using space, roles, and voices to make visible what is usually hidden.

What makes them so striking is this: they show us that we know more about our situations than we thought we knew; and that others, even complete strangers, can reveal truths about our conflicts that we had not imagined they could see. By stepping into roles and re-enacting dynamics, these methods draw out tacit knowledge, emotions, and patterns. They give shape to what is normally unspoken, allowing fresh understanding to emerge.

Systemic constellations originated in psychotherapy but now find application in organisations and leadership development. In a constellation, participants place themselves or others in physical positions representing people or forces in a system. By standing in these roles, participants begin to sense and express the perspectives of different stakeholders. The simple act of arranging space and giving voice to what emerges often reveals hidden tensions, loyalties, or needs that influence the conflict.

Forum Theatre, developed by Augusto Boal, takes a different route but with a similar purpose. A conflict or dilemma is enacted in front of others. Instead of watching passively, participants step into the scene, replay it, and try out different responses. It is theatre not as entertainment but as rehearsal for real life. The audience becomes actors; the story shifts as new possibilities are tested. This playful seriousness helps us experiment with behaviours and discover paths we might never have considered.

Both methods offer something rare in the workplace: the chance to see our problems from the inside out and the outside in. They demonstrate that clarity does not always come from analysis, but from embodiment and dialogue. We learn that our own voice carries more wisdom than we often trust — and that others, even those not directly involved, can perceive aspects of our situation that we overlook.

For leaders and professionals, this is liberating. It means we do not have to solve everything alone, nor remain trapped in the same conversations. By inviting colleagues or even strangers into the theatre of our conflicts, we open space for fresh insights, surprising empathy, and systemic solutions. Sometimes the most valuable realisation is that the knowledge we need is already present — in ourselves, in others, and in the systems we share.

John Whittington – Systemic Coaching and Constellations: The Principles, Practices and Application for Individuals, Teams and Groups (3rd ed., 2020)
The clearest practical guide to using constellations in coaching and organisations.

Jan Jacob Stam – Fields of Connection: The Practice and Power of Organizational Constellations in Business and Leadership (2016)
Brings systemic constellations into leadership, strategy, and team settings with rich case material.

Bert Hellinger – Acknowledging What Is: Conversations with Bert Hellinger (1999)
Foundational sourcebook from the founder of constellations, exploring the philosophy behind the method.

Augusto Boal – Games for Actors and Non-Actors (2nd ed., 2002)
The most practical entry point to Boal’s Forum Theatre methods with exercises you can try in groups.

Otto Scharmer – Theory U: Leading from the Future as It Emerges (2009)
A systemic, embodied approach to sensing and shifting collective patterns in organisations.