How do you become an OD Practitioner

I am regularly asked for advice from those keen to start a career in OD and about what training is
best for preparing to become an OD practitioner. I guess it depends what you want from a course
and what level of qualifications you currently hold. But for me OD is all about the theory. If you
understand the theory, you will be a better practitioner, and not just labelling yourself as
something you are not.

Self-Study
I always find it disturbing when I come across development practitioners who arent in the habit
of regular self development and study, it reminds me of the saying that Cobblers children
always go barefoot. If you are not developing yourself then you are, in my opinion, falling at
the first hurdle. The first and last rule of becoming an OD practitioner never stop learning!
Personally I would recommend reading as much as you can around the subject and there are
some great authors and books that have really inspired me over the years.
Systems
Thinking
One of the seminal books is by Peter Senge The Fifth Discipline. Another good book is by
Edgar Schein Organizational Culture and Leadership
Organisation
Development

An OD book that will give you a good grounding in the discipline are Organization
Development: A Practitioners Guide for OD and HR by Cheung-Judge and Holbeche. A new
book, which I have a discount for on my website until end of August 2014 is Griffin et al, A Field
guide for Organisation Development which is now my favourite OD book. Finally for all the
foundational academic background Id recommend Organization Development: Behavioral
Science Interventions for Organization Improvement 6th Edition by French and Bell.
Group
Work
Books that have really changed the way I approach working with group dynamics are the
following;
1. Time to Think by Nancy Kline
2. Developing Mental Toughness by Clough and Strycharczyk
3. Gamestorming by Brown and Macanufo
For more recommended reading follow this link.

Qualifications
If you havent studied HR or psychology at an undergraduate level my recommendation would
be to start with an Organisation Psychology course because a psychology course will give you
are good grounding in theory and best practice.
At Masters level there are more specific courses available for OD. In the UK one of my go to
experts is a lady called Mee Judge Chung (Her book on OD is one of my bibles) and having
heard her speak a few times I believe she would be a pretty terrific tutor. In that respect my first
choice would be to recommend an MSc in People and Organisational Development at Roffey
Park. Roffey park itself has a really good reputation. However the course is a part time two year
course.
Roffey park also offer an OD Practitioners Programme which are shorter courses which build
towards a certificate in OD, which may be more suitable if you are travelling from outside the
UK.
The CIPD offers a Level 7 award (which is masters level) which is a professional rather than
academic qualification. However, my experience of studying with the CIPD is dont let that fool
you into thinking its not heavily academic! They have several qualifications, some of which
are summer school, some fast track etc which would match your need for short stays if you are
travelling from outside the UK.

The USA is much more advanced than the UK in regards to its professionalisation of OD
practitioners most likely because it is the home of many of the founding fathers of OD and has an
established professional body called the OD network which has a mission of advancing the
practice and theory of OD. Their website has a page on education but I have to confess I have
no experience of OD network, Im not involved in it and cant make a personal recommendation.

Skill
Training
Its not all about the theory. Developing your skills as both a consultant and a facilitator are also
key. For most this might be something you do naturally, but becoming the best OD practitioner
you can be requires you to hone your skills. This means traditional training course in various
soft skills. Whether it is personal impact, coaching, facilitation, research methods, giving and
receiving feedback; you name it, the more skilled you become the better practitioner you will
become.

Network,
Network,
Network
I have an extensive network, and the best thing about working alongside other practitioners is
you pick up amazing advice, tools and techniques that you wouldnt discover any other way. I
call it stealing with pride if someone is doing something ace, add it to your tool kit. There is
no room for not invented here in the world of OD, if an intervention (diagnostic, intervention or
evaluation) works use it!.