I’m back from California and am already putting next year’s Organizational Development Network (ODN) Conference* on my calendar.

Between October 28th and November 3rd, 2013, there were more than 1,000 leadership professionals from around the world gathered together in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. We all gathered at the International Leadership Association Global Conference to network, hear new thinking on leadership, and share perspectives. http://www.ila-net.org/

MN Organization Development Network Regular Programming
First Thursday of the month
September through May each year
5:30-6:00 pm networking
6:00-7:30 pm program
St. Thomas University (rooms may very)

I consider myself pretty savvy when it comes to personality assessments.  I’m certified in several and for years have worked inside organizations, teams and with individuals assisting in self-discovery, leadership development and strategic team work.  I’ve seen first-hand how identity personality assessments have helped many discover their own or team’s roadmap to success. 

Leadership is often a struggle, yet cultural norms often dismiss struggle as a sign of weakness or incompetence.  Steven Snyder’s new book, Leadership and the Art of Struggle, poses the question: what if we stop thinking about struggle as a negative, and instead embrace it as a natural part of leadership, focusing on the learning opportunities that it affords?

The Bush Fellowship was founded nearly 50 years ago by founder (and 3M executive) Archibald Bush. The 1964 Bush Foundation annual report shares that the program was designed to seek out and develop broad-gauge candidates who could be effective leaders. It sought candidates “of force, inquiring minds, integrity and vision to be groomed for leadership in government, industry and professions, or with unions.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwired - Sep 4, 2013) - Hogan Assessment Systems, Inc., a global leader in personality assessment, research and leadership development, today announced that Scott Gregory, the company's general manager for the Twin Cities region, will lead a session titled "Personality Assessment and Applications" on Thursday, September 12, 2013. The event, hosted by the Minnesota Organization Development Network (MNODN), will take place at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis at 5:30 p.m.

We often read in online discussions and articles that most organizational change efforts fail.  Is that a crisis in the field of OD?  Would it be a crisis if that situation were in other fields and professions?  What should those of us in the field of OD do about this?     

Historically, personality has been conceptualized in several key ways, each with implications for measurement and application.  This presentation will include a brief overview of traditional approaches and applications, and will highlight personality conceptualized as one’s reputation.   Defining personality in this way makes it easily applicable to the workplace at the level of the individual, team, and organization as a whole. 

MNODN has been in existence for more than a quarter of a century, and we have always focused on one thing - helping those who help organizations grow, develop, and change, in developing their own capabilities. We’re excited to enter the 2013-2014 membership year with you!