OD with a Community Mental Health Center: A Case of Building Structures Patiently

Abstract

A two-year OD effort with a community mental health center achieved a fair degree of success as measured by several criteria. In light of this somewhat rare occurrence, judging by the literature to date, specific conditions that may have been facilitative are discussed. They include a growing and changing organiza tion, conflicts that have already surfaced, a respected leader who is not caught in a polarizing conflict, and an available (local) consultant, knowledgeable in this type of system, with the right "credentials. " The content of the OD work differed somewhat from that often seen in industrial settings. In including building structures and systems, adding new roles, clarifying roles, increasing the understanding of organizational dynamics, and helping people moderate emo tional expressions and utilization of psychological insight to effective levels.