Volume 8, Issue 2, Year 08
Practicing OD focuses on practice. Short, easy-to-read articles give you great ideas you can use tomorrow! Share your own best practices by submitting an article for possible publication. Full access to this bi-monthly e-zine is one of the many benefits of membership in the OD Network.
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Developing a Change Philosophy
D.D. (Don) Warrick
In the opening article, Don Warrick shares a recommendation for all practitioners—be clear about your change philosophy. A change philosophy captures what we believe and what we keep basing our decisions on. It's a way of reviewing your theoretical and practical knowledge and extracting what counts the most for you…and what drives most of your change-related behavior and intervention strategies. He also supplies a good sample which can stimulate your own thoughts.
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If I Had a Hammer
Bill Becker
Bill Becker offers a piece in response to our call for articles on "your favorite intervention" or "if you could only do one thing with a client, what would you go for". In his recommendation, he reminds us of an important lesson…"leave the knot loose". He describes a framework for generating data and helping clients to really learn what they need, not just what they say they need. And he suggests that jumping to early conclusions or responding too quickly to what’s asked for can truncate the options later or close off some views of the system and stakeholders.
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Start 'Em Laughing: A Short Guide to Shifting Mindsets and Process Dynamics
Arthur Lerner
In this submission, by another experienced practitioner, Art Lerner provides a thoughtful perspective on the use of humor in OD work. He suggests how the right injection of humor can change a group's dynamics and help to engage clients. Further, he offers a few examples of how humor can be structured and designed into activities for positive outcomes. Art may have started something here…perhaps others might have some thoughts or experiences with this practice approach?
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