Center for Human Systems > Programs > What They're Saying
What They're Saying
"The Practitioners Program provides an in-depth opportunity to focus and practice on the core values and best practices in the field of Organization Development. The nine-month process focuses on how we influence changes both within ourselves and within organizations.
Some
specific benefits I have gained as a result of my participation are:
• Increased
self-awareness about my inter-personal style
• Enhanced ability to see more at
the systems level
• Shared experiences from experienced practitioners
•
Increased network of capable people in the field
One more very important benefit is: The material we learned
can be
immediately
applied
to back to work situations. I found immediate return on my investment
of time.
We
built
new friendships and had some fun as well!!"
— Gail Sacconey Townsend, W.
L. Gore & Associates, Inc
"Leading a diverse group to pursue their respective goals is a
tall order.
Edie Seashore and Michael Broom have discovered that one of the best
ways is
to
achieve
this is to "know thyself"-- another tall order. Edie and Michael
have
successfully put together a "Practitioners' Program" which relies on
the
ancient
practice of conversation. Under the watchful eyes of these two
experienced
professionals,
the group has learned the answers to their individual and group
questions lie
within each
and every person participating. In an atmosphere of understanding and
trust,
Edie
and
Michael have instilled the value of "sound and current data",
"feedback," "appreciative inquiry," and "systemic
thinking".
This course is more than academic instruction. It is an opportunity to
internalize
and
apply principles, to gain insight and knowledge on "how things
work",
and to
practice, practice, practice."
— Willa Gaitanis, NASA Goddard Space
Flight
Center Lead for Change Management
"Michael Broom is a practitioner's scholar. His depth of knowledge in the area of Organization Development and systems has significantly contributed to my professional and personal development. Meeting Michael in the Practitioner's Program has placed me on the road to being the kind of consultant that I want to be... one filled with INFINITE possibilities!
Edie Seashore is a practitioner's dream! Her extensive
knowledge and experience in the field of Organization Development has
heightened
my
passion for the work that I was trained to do. She combines her
intuitive gift
with her
expertise to create a learning environment rich with possibilities for
growth
and
development. She is truly committed to meaningful change in today's
systems."
— Mary Kinnard-Brown, Ph.D., Booz Allen Hamilton
"Having attended many courses and led many teams (Retired Naval Officer), I found myself looking for training that would further my knowledge of Organizational Development and would allow me to blend my international experiences into a success consulting practice. What I found was the Practitioners Program!! Michael and Edie have joined forces and created a powerful system for those that are serious about consulting (internal and external), have a desire to master the skills of executive level human resources, and want to harness the power that comes with change. Totally sharing themselves, you not only have the benefit of personally learning from two seasoned OD academics and practitioners, you also participate with and co-create a learning support system for life.
Practice doesn't make perfect—practice makes permanent. This
program
allows
you to
practice perfecting your skills as you move to the top of your chosen
field."
— Tony Bennae Richard, CEO, The Bennae Group LLC
"My experience with The Practitioners Program has been
profound and
generative. Every class focuses on the group's truth as well as each
participant's truth.
We choose the extent to which we will be present. We get to see the
result of
this
choice. Each class is a living laboratory to explore the process of
change
and
the
conscious use of self in becoming an ally and agent of change, in
ourselves
and
others. Edie Seashore and Michael Broom are astute observers of human
behavior and
skillful,
caring facilitators. I leave each session stretched, intellectually,
practically,
and
emotionally. Even when I am inclined to "play it safe," it is difficult
to do
so,
as the
program offers me the chance to leap for the ring. The Practitioners
Program
has
a way of
both centering us and throwing us off balance, with the result that
ideas are
clarified,
space is opened for new insights and personal awareness, and our
consciousness
is
rearranged."
— Peter Aron, Facilitator of Adventure-Based
Experiential Education
"The Practitioners Program is a true learning cohort—a group
of us has
continued to
meet as a community of practice. We&squo;ve built relationships
with one
another
that
allow us
to challenge one another&squo;s thinking, let our hair down and
talk about the
un-discussables
and what worries us. You can&squo;t do that in an OD
"classroom."
Michael and Edie are tremendous guides, and show up as practitioners
with you. I
think
that&squo;s the most unique feature of the program. I learned a
lot from
being
able to
ask
them, "do you ever get into a pickle?" thinking of course they never
do.
But
their
stories about the pickles they have found themselves in and how they
managed
themselves
through those situations were powerful and important to me. Their own
quests
as
practitioners, and those of others in the cohort, opened up new ways of
thinking
about
myself in OD. The Practitioners Program wasn&squo;t just
skill-building. It&squo;s a
place where I
could build confidence and see that there isn&squo;t just one
way "to do
OD" and
that there was
room in OD for me to use myself uniquely.
The great thing about the Practitioners Program is you learn there are
no
formulas. There&squo;s nothing like &squo;once you got
it down you’re home
free.&squo;
There is no
litany except
learning Conscious Use of Self Skills. And I&squo;d say that
the
Practitioners
Program is
all about Use
of Self Skills."
— Nina Kern, OD Consultant and Project Manager, JBS
International, Inc
"The Practitioners Program was an ideal way for me to reflect
more deeply on
my role as a
facilitator and coach. The sessions focused my thinking on particular
themes,
enabling me
to gain a much richer perspective on my work and on my vision for my
practice.
The
personal reflection and group dialogue gave me insights that helped
shape my
practice in
ways that have benefited my clients and me."
— Dorel Shanon, Independent Consultant
