What is the role of "tools" in OD practice?

Our May 10 program meeting was “OD Toolbox III”. Reviving a format we used in March 2001 and November 2001 and exemplifying the Learning Group tradition of shared learning, we had four presentations of OD tools.

Mindy Fried (who also won our Member Recognition Award) showed us Logic Models, a tool for assessing the effectiveness of a program or an intervention.

Steve Ober illustrated the Kantor Four Player model, which is based on identifying the four basic actions that make up the structure of all interactions.

Jim Webber demonstrated a matrix tool for self-assessment by facilitators.

Larry Stybel of Stybel, Peabody and Associates presented an “owner’s manual for managers,” a tool that gets that the data that a 360 degree assessment would get from people who would not go through a 360 process.

Following the presentation, we had a facilitated discussion on what we learned from the presentations and how we could apply such tools in the workplace. One comment that was made was how tools can be used in contexts other than those in which their inventory originally intended. Likewise, it was noted that the true value of such tools often is their role in provoking consideration of issues that otherwise would not been seen as in need of discussion.

Time did not permit more extensive discussion, but fortunately we have this blog as a resource for such further exploration, including contributions by members who could not be in attendance. We’ve framed the Question of the Month to open discussion generally about these and other tools and about part that “tools” play in OD.

I remember in discussing a similar program proposal years ago, a former member, a senior consultant with decades of OD experiences, expressed disapproval. “OD,” he said, “is not about tools”.

I would actually concur. OD is about values. And the most important “tools” in OD practice are authenticity, objectivity, and reflection.

At the same time, OD practitioners do use tools. Since every tool has only limited applicability and potential, there is certainly some truth in the common belief that the more tools one knows, the better practitioner one can be.

What do others think?

Jim Murphy