In honor and in memory
ofPaul Watzlawick crossed the skies of the second half of 20th century like a comet, illuminating entire generations of scholars and professionals with his ideas, work and writings. His contributions have influenced not just the psychological, psychiatric and sociological fields but also subjects that are distant from human sciences, like economy, engineering and ‘pure’ science such as physics and biology. His studies on communication and on change have crossed over various barriers and have been applied in various contexts which involve human relationships with oneself, others and the world. Just like the masterpieces of all great philosophers, his work does not limit itself to ideologies nor confine to a single scientific prospective but goes beyond, as far as to search the roots of <<how>> human beings construct or better, using his own words, invent their realities. 

Numerous thinkers and professionals own their success and fame, by having followed the wake of this luminary star. In fact, Watzlawick is the only author whose works have been translated into eighty different languages.  The School of Palo Alto would not have existed without his extraordinary being and ability to synthesise into a singular rigorous theoretical and applied model, the work of eminent scholars such as Gregory Bateson, Don D. Jackson and Milton Erickson.

On the other hand, just to cite some examples, the father of constructivism, Hein Von Foerster, loved calling himself an invention of Paul Watzlawick, in the sense that, he recognised the fact that without Watzlawick’s help, neither his name nor his work would have become so eminent and renowned worldwide.  Same goes for Mara Selvini Palazzoli and the Milan School of Systemic Therapy, who own Watzlawick not only for his technical inspiration but also for helping in the wide-reaching divulgation of their work.  This applies also to all those who, even though they did not have direct contact with Watzlawick, have been inspired by the overwhelming light emitted by this comet.  In fact, it was sufficient to refer to the School of Palo Alto to acquire a respectful scientific and professional status.

All this is valid, even in my case. I’m truly aware that without Watzlawick, probably very few would have come to know my work.  After, the Art of Change written in duet, I immediately found myself forefront on an international level.  His active presence in the foundation of our Centro di Terapia Strategica of Arezzo, have turned it into a point of reference in the evolution of brief therapy and strategic problem solving.

Further prove of his greatness is the fact that Watzlawick is the most copied author: there were individuals who after having copied entire pages without obviously citing the origin source, have become his harshest detractors.

Since Paul was a very tolerant person and capable to avoid conflicts- even when doing so might have been more than legitimate- instead of denouncing and shaming  publicly these dishonest colleagues, he simply, with great style, denoted this dishonest deed directly to the wrongdoers without going beyond.  The reader might well understand that to underline the prominent contribution of this author and thinker, one would require volumes and volumes of words. Indeed nobody was able to represent Watzlawick’s work as greatly as his own writings.

In fact that is why I decided to conclude this final comment to his selected writings, not in an academic but in a personal way. I believe that having had the honour and pleasure to share with Paul more than fifteen years of professional collaboration and also of personal relationship (together we have delivered more than fifty workshops and conferences around the world, we have co-authored three texts and contributed to two other publications together with Jeffrey Zeig and Camillo Loreido) it would be enriching to offer the reader, besides his masterworks, some anecdotes that portrait his persona.

In fact besides being a Master in his science and profession, he was a model in the philosophy of life. He was a handsome, soberly elegant gentlemen, and master in use of subtle irony, irresistibly pleasant to men and fascinating to women.  He always showed great humbleness and availability with everyone, ready to learn from others.  Highly capable in relating adequately in the both ice-cold and warm interpersonal relationships, always showing an impeccable style.  

Once during a conference at Sorbonne (Paris), a participant verbally attacked him because his theories went against the fundamental concepts of psychiatry and psychoanalysis. Paul with extreme calmness replied: << you are perfectly right… from your point of view…>>- and then he continued on accompanied by a great applause and smiles from the public. 

Once I stood astonished watching him give out <<stolen food>>from a hotel to the stray cats in a Venetian lane, letting them come close as if they were life-time friends. 

Another time having reached Bologna from Rome in my car, Paul had commented my driving, ironically declaring that Italy should be shortened.  Reaching the hotel, which was called << I tre vecchi>>, the three old man, he asked me where were the other two.
His irony was even more proverbial in another situation: we were watching for our luggage at the airport of Seville and his was the first to arrive while mine was the last. During the tedious wait, a gigantic luggage passed by and he commented << it is decisively very comfy, because if you can not find a room in a hotel, you can just sleep in it>>. 

His attention towards his loved ones, was never displayed if not delicately and in good time, creating great amaze every single time.

He was always open to appreciate beauty in all its forms, from the colours imprisoned by the Tuscan hills in spring to the fascinating light emitted onto the skyscrapers while watching the sunset on the beach of Hong Kong: from the ancestral sounds of the clashing ocean waves on the shores of Carmel to the sublime music of Rachmaninov.

Finally, an episode that best describes his personality and style, which encloses a subtle yet powerful lesson, took place during an important conference. During this event, I had to present for the first time the brief strategic therapy method for phobic-obsessive disorders put together under his supervision. Moreover, my presentation had to be held in front of an assizes composed of the most important scholars and experts in the field.

I had obsessively prepared my exposition, allowing a space of time for theoretical dissertation, for the presentation of empirical data and for clinical practice by making use of a videotape that could help prove the real efficacy of the therapy to the rather skeptic public of researchers and colleagues. To my misfortunate, the technician of the hall, in preparing the video had mistakenly recorded over the tape, thus cancelling the content. I got to know this just before starting my presentation. As the reader might understand, I was not only incredulous and irritated for what had happened but I also felt rather frustrated and depressed, anticipating an almost guaranteed flop.  I proceeded on in my presentation in rather less assertive way than usual and when I reached the demonstrative part of my presentation, I excused myself with  my audience for this incident: I recited the transcription of the case instead of showing the tape, stating the effects of the manoeuvres.  Against all my predictions, the public was enthusiastic and had appreciated the presented work. Paul, who had witnessed all this from the rear end of the hall, came close and while patting me on the shoulders, he told me:
<< besides being smart, you finally looked humble and nice >>. Today every one have appreciated your <<weakness>> and your <<error>>. I will never forget this lesson.

Today, only some days away from his death, while writing these words I suffer even more his loss.  However I am content because besides having lived an intense life full of beauty, he had a wonderful death near his beloved Vera.

I believe that in Paul’s case, these words become more valuable: <<when you lose a very important person, rather than thinking about the misfortunate of having lost him, think about the fortunate of having had him near>>.

Arezzo, April 2007

Giorgio Nardone

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1. from the book "GUARDARSI DENTRO RENDE CIECHI" e altri saggi edited by Wendel Ray e Giorgio Nardone, June 2007, Ponte alle Grazie, Milan.

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Click here to view the article by the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper