Practice Point of View

The practice point of view at this point in time that I am resonating with is based on both an Schein and Hannah theory of transformation. We live in an interdependent and connected world and I will want to explore many perspectives to create with the individual or organization together. I want to be part of the dialogue of what we can initiate and sustain collaboratively. To create sustainable transformation of systems whether they are individual, group or organizational, we must incorporate the environment, strategy, vision and culture. The results will follow. Starting with the results and working back to culture you can begin to under stand how transformation can take place. If the transformation is not working there is misalignment in the element.

As a life long student of self as instrument, developing a practice of the art of the masterful yet simple question inspired by Schein’s Humble Inquiry resonates with me. Taping into my own courage, confidence and humility to support the transformation is required. Every intervention and experience will be driven by stated clarity, openness and acceptance. Maintaining openness to what maybe learned from each other in the actual situation through observing, genuine open empathic questioning, careful listening, and self-inquiry. Not judging but suspending judgement. Instead, shifting to helping roles as necessary (Schein,1996,1999,2001). Change your questions, Change your life says, Marilee Adams in the Simultaneity principle, the internal/external questions we ask steer our thinking, attention and images.

Uncovering who I really am through every engagement and client experience brings me closer to my true self. The most meaningful engagements are where I learn, stretch myself and grow.

The approach to engagements will be primarily a Schein process consultation approach. The process will be a joint diagnosis with engagement by ideally all appropriate stakeholders to explore any potential resistance and skepticism. Collaboration is always at the core of the approach. Pursuing goals with clarity that are moderately challenging, are measurable and allow for feedback will be the idea. Being careful not to create boundaries too early by focusing on dialogue and questioning stakeholders to open the possibilities to complexity.

The organizational development engagements that will be more meaningful will contribute to the world being different tomorrow as a result of what we are doing today. The engagements will access the values and gifts that can contribute to an organization, group or individual. They will expect more of me than I thought it could give. Each engagement will be unique, complex and deeply transformative for us both. Creating an expectation that change is an incremental and continuous process that occurs on many levels will be a point of view shared with each engagement.

Effective measurement is another component critical to developing my practice and moving the profession forward. Gaining the respect of senior leaders and stakeholders requires clearly understood measurement aligned with the business strategy and the goals of the participants. I anticipate the challenges being the difficulty in obtaining the measurements necessary for agreement. Other potential challenges are different perspectives on effective measurement in each organizational and national culture.

Communication is critical to transformation and to my practice point of view. Using language that connects, the language that most easily creates a relationship and trust rather than a language that reflects purely academic learning will support the energy to transform individuals and systems. A pursuit to translate organizational development language to be meaningful and relatable will support my practice. The challenges expected are the cultural differences in communication. Adjusting for different cultural perspective and anticipating potential conflicts and misunderstanding also follows Schein’s perspective on culture and how to adjust and adapt.

A practice point of view that is highly attuned to personal cultural alignment with organization culture whether working domestically or globally will be my focus. Creating and honoring a space to create transformations will be where I am able to contribute to the practice and future of OD. The art and value of storytelling as a mode of instilling empathy and compassion to stakeholders to vision and courageously move forward are some areas where my contributions can give live to the profession.

The aspirations I have for myself is to close the gap further in organizations ability to articulate and give voice to culture and how it can affect sustainable business performance. Creating and designing communications and common languages that organizations can experience the power of transformation and inclusion with direct business effect is what I aspire to be a part of building as a practitioner. I aspire to be a life long learner in the practice connecting the dots globally and giving voice to the potential of the discipline.