ORGL 516: Organizational Development

Professor: Dr. Kristine Hoover

Taken:  Fall 2022

Description: This course will focus on seeing and changing organizations through the research, theory, models, and practice (praxis) of the field of Organizational Development (OD). This course focuses on how leaders, as mid-level managers or OD consultants, can support all members of an organization. We will investigate multiple methods, tools, and technologies used to implement major change effectively in organizations.

Reflection: I walked away from this course on organizational development understanding that change agency should be more programmatic and inclusive of everyone, not just leadership. I learned to remember that everyone in an organization has autonomy to identify areas requiring change and participate in the change. I also try and remind myself that it is important to start a journey with the goal in mind, what does success look like? I’ve used this both in my personal and professional lives. The way people get to success may be different, the “how” can be individualized but the destination must be clearly defined. Essentially, we all need to head to the same destination, just how we get there may not be the same.