What is OD?
OD is short for Organisation Development (or any of its long forms). But it doesn’t really matter what you call it. It’s what OD does that really matters.
So, what does OD do?
OD works on the invisible connections that make or break your business. But many change projects overlook them!
Organisation Development – Organization Development – Organisational Development – Organizational Development – Org Dev – Organisation Design – Organization Design – Organisation Dynamics – Organization Dynamics
Want to know more about OD?
Give us an ‘O’. This is the bit that confuses people. OD is organisational. What that really means is that OD is concerned with connections and relationships. We’re concerned with interactions and how everything is working together effectively, or not.
These are the invisible essentials that most change projects leave out. They get left out because they’re intangible and they’re changeable, so they don’t lend themselves to being ‘managed’ in any conventional way. Yet change projects inevitably disrupt connections and relationships, both intentionally and unintentionally.
And oh, when they don’t work well, we all know it! The effects make themselves known and the economic and emotional costs are often huge. In fact, they’re so common, that some of these problematic patterns have names:
- silo working
- disengagement and quiet quitting
- lack of leadership
- micro-management
- unproductive teams
- poor communication
- change fatigue, and many more …
Give us a ‘D’. OD is concerned with ongoing development. An organisation is not a big machine, running in laboratory controlled conditions. The working world is constantly changing, and it demands peak performance. Staying in peak performance mode is not a one-off, it’s ongoing. Change projects may start and finish, but OD is continuous, just like the changing world.
It’s not what you call it, it’s what OD does that matters. Remember, those invisible connections can make or break your business, so it pays to integrate Organisation Development and change.
Equip yourself, benefit your business
If you’re involved in change, it’s time to increase your value. OD offers a valuable mindset, skill set and tool set that enhances any change work. You don’t need an OD job title to do OD!
So, if you’re a leader, manager, or a change professional, take a moment to reflect on these questions:
How will you develop your Organisation Development mindset for a world in constant change? How will you enhance your Organisation Development skill set to help you co-create change? How will you extend your Organisation Development tool set to better equip yourself in change?
We’re here to help
- If you’re ready to advance your OD practice, or you just want to take your first steps, we can help. Sign up now for our Organisation Development course! We can offer Organisation Development training in-house too.
- If you’re looking for an OD partner to help you make the most of your capabilities, we can help. Call now to secure an Organisation Development consultant.
- And, if you’re not sure what you need yet, we can help. Let’s have a conversation.
