Organizational Development — What Is It?
If you went to business school, you probably learned about organizational development, but the world is changing and organizations are changing with it — at least the ones that have hopes of lasting. Listen in on this post by Gautam Ghosh.
The goals of OD in the the last century were to make workplaces more open transparent and honest. The focus was on generating authentic and non-threatening conversations. About creating workplaces where people were not merely ‘resources’ or ‘talent’.
Sounds a bit like blogging doesn’t it?
Yet, Gautam goes onto say that
However, the overall culture of organizational life never let these concepts come to fruition. Most organizations were and still are, places where your goals are set by others, your performance is judged by others, and your rewards are measured by others.
That’s where today’s enterprise loses the entrepreneurial spirit.
Gautuam goes on to make some great points about what today’s organizations are facing. You can check out his post by clicking the title.
Thanks Guatam, for this analsis.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Related articles
6 Steps to a Branded Business Blog in Record Time
Knowing How People Think ââ¬â As a Business Tool
Jonathan Schwartz, CEO, Expert Corporate Blogger
Thanks for pointing this one out, Liz – it’s right up my alley!!!
Hey, organizational development and organizational behavior always have been a fascination to me. 🙂
Thanks for linking !
We are seeing a lot of goals that people yearned for in the 80s and earlier coming true…however not in the manner that they thought it would 🙂
warm regards
Gautam
Yes, Gautam,
That’s exactly what I was thinking. The goals were entrepreneurial the organizations were not. 🙂
More than business school, I have a Master of Science degree in OD (MSOD) from Pepperdine University. I appreciate this connection as it points out how the Web 2.0 is changing business. Five years ago I probably would have never heard of Gautam Ghosh. Through this technology I can connect and learn from him and others. The U.S. has had a lead for years in management and service, however Web 2.0 is changing all of this. Pepperdine now takes their MSOD students overseas to learn. Boundaries are shrinking rapidly and I don’t believe many U.S. businesses are prepared for this.
Aloha, Bob
Hi Bob,
Many U.S. business aren’t ready to have a stranglehold on the largest market in the world as well as the largest talent pool. They aren’t ready to move fast and nimbly, with smarts and thoughtful risk — rather than to sit and await the movements of a aircraft carrier in the ocean.
Speedboats will outrun them. 🙂
Hey Liz,
As an OD Guy and blogger, I have been observing this trend too. Like Gautam and Bob, I think a major sea-change is happening right now in organizations. As evidence, look at the many employees who have been fired for blogging. The system is resisting the change. But the change cannot be stopped.
When I talk about blogs and wikis to HR and OD folks, they glaze over. Or they look at me like I’m some sort of dangerous escaped lunatic that they may have to restrain.
Stop by my blog sometime!
Regards,
Terry
BTW – Like you, my initials are a conversation starter. You are ME. I am THE (Terrence Henry Edward).
Hi THE,
I’m dying to introduce you to WE and ET, my husband and my son, the alien child.
I use blogs to help companies build bridges in broken relationships. I bring the blogs internal and show how they can improve communication. I would use a wiki — which would be better — but why scare them at this point?
Once they understand that the blog is a tool and not a weapon, things get easier . . .
Good work with presenting multiple viewpoints with (OD) Organization Development quotes & articles!
Nick Del Carlo, M.S.M.O.B.
Organization Development Management (ODM)
http://www.ODManagement.com
Hi Nick,
Welcome and thank you! I’d love to talk to you offline. In case you’re interested in a conversation, I’ll email you. 🙂
Good post for those who look forward to know more about Organizational behaviours,
Solid Content and good Layout .I just come across a blog were one get the details of
Organizational Behavior.
Check here Organizational Behaviour Basics