This time we are looking at the relationship between OD and HR how they fit together and the skills needed to get it right.
Philippa talks with Ed Griffin, Development Partner in the Breathe Partnership, Lee Sears, Director of CIPD’s leadership and OD consultancy, Bridge, who has led the ‘Next Generation HR’ work. We also hear from Sati Khakh, Head of Organisation Development at the Civil Aviation Authority and Richard Atienza-Hawkes, Head of Organisational Development for Stoke-on-Trent City Council and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
First, let’s understand what OD actually is. Ed Griffin chooses not to use the term Organisation Development because his consultancy has found that it means different things to different organisations. Hear his personal definition and what the practicalities are. Lee’s definition is different, but Lee and Ed agree that having a clear overview of the whole organisation is crucial.
But is OD separate from HR? Lee is adamant that this is an old debate – listen to him explain why. Sati Khakh thinks that definitions and titles are less helpful to people – it’s about what is delivered for the business to move forward successfully.
Lee then outlines the necessary attributes for a successful OD person. The CIPD talks about ‘savvy’: business, organisational and contextual understanding. Listen to Ed and Lee unwind this term. Insight–driven HR is another buzz-word that is explained.
Richard Atienza-Hawkes gives his definition of OD and what it means for him at Stoke City Council. He goes on to explain why organisation development has been crucial in the recovery from the council’s disfunctionality. Appreciative enquiry played an important part in the recovery programme: hear why and how. Lee agrees that this is a really good way to break down negativity. Later, Philippa observes that last year, Stoke City Council was in the Sunday Times top 75 of best public sector companies. However, the public sector will now experience less financial support. Listen to how Richard thinks he can enthuse his workforce into new ways of working and still achieve good things with less money available.
At the CAA , Sati Khakh sees that building a change-ready organisation is important. Philippa wonders how a complicated agenda can be put in place in a large, technical environment. Sati outlines the sort of questions she asked in the company and what effect those questions had and how the answers helped her to go forward.
For anyone who is thinking of going into OD, Lee explains what attributes are needed.
Useful links to useful resources
The Organisation Development area of the CIPD website has additional information on the topic
There an area of our website devoted to the Next Generation project that Lee is heading,
The CIPD Professonal Communities part of our website is where members can ask questions of their colleagues and seek reassurance from others who have been there before.