HOW OD PROCESS CONSULTANTS HELP THEIR ORGANIZATIONS BY NANCY ZENTIS, PHD. CEO AND FOUNDER, INSTITUTE OF ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT

Transcription

1 HOW OD PROCESS CONSULTANTS HELP THEIR ORGANIZATIONS BY NANCY ZENTIS, PHD. CEO AND FOUNDER, INSTITUTE OF ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT

2 WHAT IS PROCESS CONSULTATION Process Consultation is the creation of a relationship with the client that permits the client to perceive, understand, and act on the process events that occur in the client's internal and external environment in order to improve the situation as defined by the client. Schein, E. H. (1999). Process Consultation Revisited: Building the Helping Relationship; Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley

3 WHY ARE PROCESS CONSULTANTS IMPORTANT The OD consultant has a unique ability to ask the right questions, make observations and insights that help the client s understanding of the problem. The consultant works in a helping relationship with and not for the client. Edgar Schein (1999) described process consultation (PC) as the relationship between...a helper and the person or group being helped in his well-known book entitled, Process Consultation Revisited: Building the Helping Relationship Schein emphasized process because he believed that how things are done between people and in groups is as or more important than what is done

4 HOW OD PROCESS CONSULTANTS HELP IN CHANGE HELP IDENTIFY NEEDS: They facilitate the client to identify their needs, contract for deliverables, and act as a partner to help them find their own solutions. HELP ENGAGE EMPLOYEES: OD professionals help clients in engaging employees to support and commitment to the change. HELP IN DIAGNOSING PROBLEMS: OD consultants work with the client towards analyzing the root cause of the problem.

5 HOW OD PROCESS CONSULTANTS HELP IN CHANGE IDENTIFY PROCESSES: They help the client identify processes for prioritizing solutions, implementing and sustaining change, and measuring outcomes. UNIQUE SET OF SKILLS: They are often skilled interviewers, facilitators, and developers of instruments, and possess the competencies critical for conducting interventions. HELP SECURE BUY-IN: OD process consultants help clients identify needs, gain involvement and support from senior leaders, improve processes, and lead and implement effective change.

6 HOW OD PROCESS CONSULTANTS HELP? GOOD COMMUNICATORS: They use appropriate and excellent communication techniques to ensure action. GUIDE CLIENTS THROUGH CHALLENGES: They guide clients to look deeper into their unique challenges through inquiry and data collection. EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH A VARIETY OF ISSUES: OD Consultants have skills in addressing matters related to culture and leadership styles, organization readiness, lack of resources and commitment, and issues with accountability and trust.

7 HOW OD PROCESS CONSULTANTS HELP? PROVIDE TOOLS AND PROCESSES: Tools help a client learn new skills and create a sustainable problem solving and change management process for ongoing renewal. USE TEAM BUILDING TECHNIQUES: They help clients work together cooperatively and solve inter-group conflicts.

8 CONCLUSION These are some of the skills that OD Process Consultants possess to bring about sustainable change within organizations. In order to make a significant contribution to organizations, individuals, team members, the community, and support senior leaders to achieve their business goals, OD professionals need to upgrade their process consulting skills.

9 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nancy Zentis, Ph.D -CEO, Institute of Organization Development, has over 30 years experience in Organization Development, Human Resource Development, Talent Management and Organization Development. She can be reached at

10 6 TH ANNUAL OD CONFERENCE

11 INSTITUTE OF ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT AT A GLANCE The Institute of Organization Development (IOD) offers online OD Certification Programs to help you advance in the field of Organization Development. There are four certification programs: 1. Organization Development: Basic Level (ODPC), Advanced Level (ODCP), and Master Level (ODCC), 2. Talent Management (TMCP), 3. Leadership Development (LDCP) and 4. Executive Coaching (ECCP). Our unique online learning platform allows participants to interact with others globally with live facilitated discussions. Our highly qualified faculty are professionals in the field of OD and share their knowledge and expertise to support your online learning. To learn more about our Certification Programs, please contact us: at (954) (EST/EDT) or us at info@instituteod.com.

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