The Man

Barry Oshry is a ground-breaking educator, author and playwright whose mission for over 30 years has been to unlock the mysteries of human systems.  His quest has uncovered core systemic dynamics that lead to personal and organizational dysfunction, along with a framework and tools for mastering those dynamics.  His model of top-middle-bottom-customer dynamics has given managers and executives across the globe system sight, enabling them to understand their dilemmas in a new light and providing them with empowering choices.

His journey began in the ‘60’s at Boston University where he developed large-scale organizational simulations for undergraduates in business.  He then continued his research and program development at Boston University and the NTL Institute.  In 1970 he created The Power Lab, the total immersion leadership development experience that is the subject of the prize-winning documentary, Power Lab: Living in New Hope.  He’s also developed The Organization Workshop, a program that’s become an essential component in leadership development curricula throughout the world.  The Organization Workshop is conducted by an international network of trainers.

Among Barry’s writings are The Possibilities of Organization, In The Middle, and Space Work.  His most recent books, Seeing Systems and Leading Systems, have met with critical acclaim, both for their insights into organizational life and for their accessibility.

Two of his writings -- The Terrible Dance of Power* and The Dance of Disempowerment -- have been staged as well as given dramatic readings.  His full-length organizational theater pieces include the musicals What A Way To Make A Living and Hierarchy*.

His blog is an ongoing seminar on human systems thinking.  Barry lives in Boston with his wife and business partner, Karen Oshry.

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