A week that leaves its mark
“You can't explain it—you have to experience it.” Those who sign up for our group dynamics seminar often hear only vague hints from colleagues beforehand. Our trainee Teresa experienced this intense week firsthand—with all its ups and downs, challenges, and “aha” moments. In her personal reflection, she takes us along on her journey.
The first seminar as part of my systemic coaching training at Janus was Group Dynamics. The term “legendary” probably describes it best, since many of my colleagues at Janus have already had the pleasure of attending the seminar. Beforehand, I hadn’t been able to find out much about what to expect from “GD.” “I can’t tell you too much yet,” “I’m curious to hear what you’ll have to say,” or “It’s a special seminar” were the kinds of comments I managed to coax out of the team. And indeed, it was a very special seminar!
I, too, cannot and do not want to give too much away. The seminar allows you to rediscover your own role in teams and become aware of certain patterns. It thrives on the participants and requires a willingness to engage deeply with the group and with yourself.
For my part, I can say that over the five days I went through a wide range of emotions. From tension and anticipation to nervousness, anger, and sadness, all the way to relief, euphoria, and joy—it was all there. There were heated discussions, moments of silence, tears, and lots of laughter! The days were long, and even though I fell into bed late at night, exhausted, my mind rarely came to a complete rest.
For me, it was a challenging, exhausting, and yet thoroughly positive experience! I felt very well taken care of within the group, and David and Eva, as facilitators, demonstrated the right touch in every situation. They gave the group the space to develop at its own pace, to reflect, and to feel the dynamics. In doing so, Eva, with her resource-oriented approach, opened up a whole new perspective on group dynamics for me, whereas David repeatedly provided challenging impulses that had a tangible effect on the group. Experiencing the process of transforming from a bunch of strangers into a close-knit and reliable group in such a short time was impressive and moved me deeply. It was almost a shame to have to say goodbye to everyone on Friday afternoon. Exhausted yet deeply strengthened, and above all with plenty of food for thought, we headed back to our everyday lives. I truly hope these impressions will resonate with me for a long time to come, and I can only recommend to everyone that they experience this unique opportunity for themselves!
Teresa Bracklo, March 2025