February 2006

Host: Centrica

Theme: The Relationship between OD and HR

We had a productive and stimulating session discussing the journey of OD, how it is changing and the relationship of OD to HR. People were interested in the cycle of OD and how its role changes within organisations, and what we mean by OD, sharing the work we do and how we develop people for this.

We are planning to write an article to which several members have offered to contribute on the Future of OD.

The theme for the next meeting was developed around creating an accountability culture in its widest sense, and discussion re accountability v ownership culture. The preliminary discussion ranged around the importance of being skilled at having the right conversations and how one could update tired concepts in performance management, e.g. how will you make yourself more valuable to the company?

Download the article

June 2006

Host: Tate & Lyle

Theme: Accountability vs Ownership Culture

September 2006

Host: Duke University

Theme: Talent – For What?

We had a good conversation looking at global mindset and leadership based around a series of articles provided by Tim Last from Duke University.

A strong metaphor we used in the conversation was how to get people to “Join the Dots”, those leaders who are able to not just focus on key goals but to see connections across, and able to piece the organisation together. One term used for this is cognitive complexity. We discussed the extent to which working and living outside ones own country can change perspectives as much of the research suggests, but recognised the challenges of this, and how few US based leaders actually do this. Sally mentioned research that GSK have done on resilience – and the range between those who are stretched but love it, those who are performing well but burning out and those who are disengaged.

Another key topic of conversation was the younger generation – generation X and how different their motivations may be. John Holland shared a story he had come across as part of seeing how young people ‘s attitudes to life are changing – see link to Road Trip Nation (http://www.roadtripnation.com/ ), which has some interesting materials on the changing nature of young peoples' attitudes to work, careers and life! Tim Last mentioned the new practice of job bingeing – where young people work intensely on a project but then take time out , and how companies need to maintain links with key young talent when on sabattical.

We also spent some time looking at the challenges of the internal OD role with John Holland at HP. John writes “It was good to meet up last week. The meeting with our VP of HR on Tuesday went pretty well, certainly exceeded my expectations and I appreciate the inputs made by the group, it helped considerably."

November 2006

Host: GlaxoSmithKline

Theme: Innovation in R&D

We had a lively debate around innovation, particularly about Adrian exciting work at GSK on encouraging leaders to have real conversations and how this can be linked to cultural change, sharing experiences of how to sustain cultural change and the importance of leadership.