What is Organizational Development? - Human Resources Career Series

Summary

In this informative video, the host dives into the realm of Organizational Development (OD), defining it as a systematic approach to enhance organizational effectiveness. They introduce the concept of action research, developed by Kurt Lewin, as a three-step process aligning with Lewin's change model of unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. The host also shares personal experiences, including moving into a senior OD role and engaging with global professionals. The video covers various OD interventions such as training courses, organizational assessments, and team building workshops, emphasizing their impact on both professional and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is part of a series on HR as a career, focusing on Organizational Development (OD).
• 🏥 The presenter recently moved into a role as a Senior Organizational Development Advisor.
• 🌐 The presenter has been connecting with people globally on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, emphasizing the importance of networking.
• 📚 The presenter recommends starting as a generalist in HR before specializing, to have a broad base of experience.
• 🔍 OD is defined as a systematic approach to improve organizations and people for competitive advantage.
• 🔧 OD activities are based on rigorous research and analysis to identify and solve issues within an organization.
• 🔄 Action research, developed by Kurt Lewin, is a fundamental concept in OD involving planning, action, and results, aligning with Lewin's change model of unfreezing, changing, and refreezing.
• 📈 OD interventions are designed to improve organizational or employee experiences and are evaluated for effectiveness.
• 👥 Training courses are a key part of OD, aiming to enhance employee skills and behaviors both professionally and personally.
• 📊 Organizational assessments or engagement surveys are used to gather employee feedback and inform action plans for improvement.
• 💬 Team building and workshops are common OD interventions to improve team dynamics and collaboration.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the fourth video in the series?

The main topic of the fourth video is Organizational Development (OD), including its definition, the concept of action research, and the various activities that fall under OD.

What is the speaker's new role in the field of HR?

The speaker has moved into a role as a Senior Organizational Development Advisor.

What does the speaker recommend for HR generalists before specializing?

The speaker recommends gaining a good grounding in generalist HR before specializing, as it provides a broad experience base to draw from.

What is the purpose of Organizational Development according to the common definition mentioned in the script?

The purpose of Organizational Development is to change organizations and people for the better, helping them contribute more effectively and leading to a competitive advantage.

What is the focus of OD activities in terms of organizational change?

OD activities focus on changing things from a systems perspective, looking at whole departments or structures of an organization and aiming for systemic change.

Who is Kurt Lewin and why is he significant in the field of OD?

Kurt Lewin is considered the founding father of OD. He developed the concept of action research and was instrumental in shaping OD into what it is today.

What are the three steps involved in action research as mentioned in the script?

The three steps involved in action research are planning, action, and results.

What does the acronym 'ITUPAR UCL PRELL DE GFI AF' represent in the context of the script?

The acronym represents a mnemonic device the speaker uses to remember how to draw the action research model.

What is the significance of the feedback loops in the action research model?

The feedback loops in the action research model are significant as they allow for continuous evaluation and adjustment of the process, ensuring the effectiveness of the interventions.

What are some of the interventions that the speaker has experience with in the field of OD?

The speaker has experience with interventions such as training courses, organizational assessments or engagement surveys, and team building and workshops.

How does the speaker describe the impact of training courses on employees?

The speaker describes the impact of training courses as satisfying, noting that they can make a difference not only in an employee's professional life but also in their personal life.

What is the role of OD in the engagement survey process?

In the engagement survey process, OD is generally responsible for analyzing the results, working closely with business leaders, and helping them come up with action plans to improve the results.

What is the purpose of team building workshops in OD?

The purpose of team building workshops in OD is to help team members understand how each other works and to improve teamwork by working on activities together.

What personality profiling tool is the speaker accredited in and what is their opinion about it?

The speaker is accredited in the Facet5 personality tool and considers it one of the best tools they have used as an HR practitioner, being both powerful and easy for employees to understand.