Games people play

I have been suitably impressed and influenced by Dr Eric Berne. Transactional Analysis is, indeed, an interesting concept for interactions and one could use it to one's advantage.
In Games People Play, Berne introduces Transactional Analysis and defines a game as 'an ongoing series of complementary ulterior transactions progressing to a well-defined, predictable outcome. Descriptively, it is a recurring set of transactions... with a concealed motivation...or gimmick.'
Eric Berne writes that each person is made up of three alter ego states:
Parent
Adult
Child
These terms have different definitions than in normal language.

Parent
This is our ingrained voice of authority, absorbed conditioning, learning and attitudes from when we were young. We were conditioned by our real parents, teachers, older people, next door neighbours, aunts and uncles, Our Parent is made up of a huge number of hidden and overt recorded playbacks. Typically embodied by phrases and attitudes starting with 'how to', 'under no circumstances', 'always' and 'never forget', 'don't lie, cheat, steal', etc, etc. Our parent is formed by external events and influences upon us as we grow through early childhood. We can change it, but this is easier said than done.

Child
Our internal reaction and feelings to external events form the 'Child'. This is the seeing, hearing, feeling, and emotional body of data within each of us. When anger or despair dominates reason, the Child is in control. Like our Parent we can change it, but it is no easier.

Adult
Our 'Adult' is our ability to think and determine action for ourselves, based on received data. The adult in us begins to form at around ten months old, and is the means by which we keep our Parent and Child under control. If we are to change our Parent or Child we must do so through our adult.
In other words:
Parent is our 'Taught' concept of life
Adult is our 'Thought' concept of life
Child is our 'Felt' concept of life

When we communicate we are doing so from one of our own alter ego states - Parent, Adult or Child. Our feelings at the time determine which one we use, and at any time something can trigger a shift from one state to another. When we respond, we are also doing this from one of the three states, and it is in the analysis of these stimuli and responses that the essence of Transactional Analysis lies. 

When we join the corporate world, there are times when we might feel that we are a marionette, being manipulated. In all possibility we are. In today's context, when interactions are complex, it is even more critical to understand TA. For example, a boss who talks to his staff as a controlling 'parent' will often engender self-abased obedience, tantrums, or other childlike responses from his employees, who will then be in the 'child' state.
The most effective state of interaction is if both individuals are in a one-on-one conversation and remain in an Adult ego-state. Because in this state. it is unlikely that a game is being played.