Seeing Organization Development as a Discipline

I recently completed the Institute of Organization Development’s OD Consultant Certification (ODCC).  I entered the program with 30 years experience in human resources and described myself as an “OD professional”.   In some ways, I have been exposed to many OD concepts and facilitation tools over the years.  However, I learned that I had a narrow view of OD, seeing it as fixing problems and managing change.  I am leaving the program with a broader view – that OD is a strategic, evidence-based discipline focused on improving an organization’s effectiveness and capacity to adapt through planned interventions and human processes.

Organization Development is a multidisciplinary field grounded in behavioral science, systems theory, psychology, and management. At its core, OD seeks to align an organization’s strategy, structure, people, supporting mechanisms, and culture with its purpose.

According to the Institute of OD, the Core Concepts of Organizational Development are:

• Focuses on the relationship with the client
• Promotes senior leader commitment, trust, and accountability
• Creates organizational effectiveness and wellness
• It is based on the Behavioral Science Approach using the Action Research Model (ARM);
• Provides sustainable problem-solving and decision-making processes
• Promotes a Systems Thinking Approach to support and manage change
• Supports organizational transformation and sustainability
• Encourages openness and collaboration through feedback
• Focuses on evaluation and metrics 

Organization Development examples include, but are not limited to:

• Culture transformation
• Leadership development
• Team building and group dynamics
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (currently under threat!)
• Organizational design and restructuring
• Conflict resolution
• Strategic planning and alignment
• Process improvement and innovation facilitation

An OD intervention might start with a climate survey that reveals employee disengagement. Rather than jumping to solutions, OD practitioners would work collaboratively to diagnose root causes, co-create strategies, implement changes, and measure progress.

I realize that OD isn’t just a job, it’s a mindset and a craft. Professionals in this space often have backgrounds in psychology, HR, business, or sociology, with specialized training in systems thinking, change management, facilitation, and coaching. Certifications and diploma programs in OD are widely available, reflecting the growing importance of this field in shaping future-ready organizations.

Organizational Development is not just a “nice-to-have” – it’s a strategic imperative.  By fostering alignment, adaptability, and a culture of continuous improvement, OD helps organizations survive and thrive in a world of constant change.

Author: Brian Flanagan, MSC, PCC, ODCC

HR Change Agent, People Builder, and Life & Leadership Coach.

As a life & leadership coach, Brian is trained with the International Institute for Professional Excellence in coaching (iPEC).  iPEC created the Core Energy Coaching™ process, which helps bring out the potential in clients.  This process is done by emotionally connecting the client’s inner purpose and passion to outer goals and strategies to bring about extraordinary and sustainable results.

Brian’s foundation was built over 25 years in progressive roles with world-class organizations.  This includes successfully leading company-wide and targeted HR initiatives at enterprises including Kohler Co., Mars Inc., Johnson & Johnson and Novartis.   His passion for creating and implementing processes/systems to enhance succession planning, talent management, organizational development, learning, executive and leadership development, employee engagement, and diversity & inclusion is part of who he is.  As a consultant, he skillfully designs and facilitates meetings and energetically delivers training.  He inspires global teams and builds and manages relationships and networks to help others thrive.

Brian lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his husband Cory and their Golden Retriever.