‘Preparation’ and ‘Readiness’: The Education Paradigm for the Organisation Development Certificate Programme

Abstract

The organisation development certificate programme (ODCP) offered by the Indian Society for Applied Behavioural Science—ISABS (www.isabs.org) is a unique blend of learning about organisations, the process of OD with deep awareness about self as an instrument of change.

ISABS as an institution has been engaged with T-groups for the past 50 years, having learnt the same from National Training Laboratories (NTL) Institute for Applied Behavioural Science (www.ntl.org). The focus of ISABS has been on discovering oneself through the process of engagement in small groups. ISABS pedagogy has evolved over years after initial learning from NTL This pedagogy distinguishes itself from any typical university education by stressing on experiencing and reflection of the learning process held together by a process facilitator. The expectation is that the participants will conceptualise and apply their learning through their own volition. However, this needed to change for the ODCP programme. This article unfolds the process for the reader.

The process of OD is based on the quality of the interaction/engagement between the client system and the OD practitioner. Hence, the quality of the ‘preparedness’ and ‘readiness’ of the OD practitioner plays a big role in the ‘process of OD’.

ISABS addresses the twin issues of ‘preparedness’ and ‘readiness’ of participants to enter the field of OD through a pedagogy that is a combination of experiential, cognitive, reflective and peer learning. In addition, OD competencies and values are internalised through a learner-centred approach to teaching, classroom as organisation simulations and support systems provided through coaching and learning facilitation.