Essential Strategies for Organizational and Systems Change An Overview for Consultants

This text provides conceptual and operational descriptions of the major theories in and strategic approaches to the field of organizational and systems change.

Organizational and systems change, a primary focus for many consulting psychologists and other professional consultants, requires a subtle knowledge of human organizations, cultures, and societies. This book describes a variety of strategies and principles involved in O/SC, including general systems theory, chaos and complexity theory, organizational development and change management, organizational and personal learning, psychodynamics and covert processes, and emerging areas of interest including the integration of positive psychology, appreciative inquiry, behavioral theory, and neuropsychology into the practice of O/SC.
 
Essential Strategies for Organizational and Systems Change offers a broad and comprehensive treatment of the research behind and challenges involved in motivating and effecting large‑scale human systems change. While the authors discuss interventions at the individual, group, and organizational/systems level, the outcome of these efforts is focused upon organization and system success, improvement, and survival.
 
The authors provide a thorough overview of theories and strategic approaches in this area, how they developed, the evidence base for their use in practice, practical and effective mental models, examples of how the strategies and models can be applied, and references that will provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the concepts discussed. This book is an invaluable reference resource for anyone wanting to enter or progress in the field of organizational consulting. 

H. Skipton Leonard, PhD, is managing director of Learning Thru Action, LLC. Dr. Leonard has consulted with numerous companies such as Pfizer, Microsoft, Target, Wells Fargo, American Express, AstraZeneca, Boeing, Bechtel, Daimler Chrysler, Dell, NCS-Pearson, and SAIC. He also has experience with NGOs such as the IMF and World Bank as well as U.S. government organizations such as NIH, the U.S. Army, the United States Postal Service, GSA, USDA, and GAO. Dr. Leonard is a fellow in the American Psychological Association and the Society of Consulting Psychology and is past-president of the Society of Consulting Psychology. He was also the founding editor of Consulting Psychology Journal. Dr. Leonard has over 100 books, book chapters, articles, and professional presentations to his credit. 

Richard R. Kilburg, PhD, is a principal at RKK Coaching and Executive Development, providing development services to senior leaders around the world. Dr. Kilburg has provided consultation to many organizations including Glaxo Smith Klein, Reebok, Bell/Riddell Sports, INOVA Health Systems, Human Genome Sciences, Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the University of Utah Medical Sciences Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Westinghouse Health Systems. Dr. Kilburg was the founding president of the Society of Psychologists in Management. He has received numerous awards including for Distinguished Contribution to the Society of Psychologists in Management, the Harry and Miriam Levinson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Consulting Psychology, the Elliott Jacques Memorial Publication Award, the Vision of Excellence Award from the Institute of Coaching, and the RHR International Award for Excellence in Consulting Psychology. Dr. Kilburg is the author of six books, 57 articles and book chapters, and many dozens of professional presentations.

Arthur M. Freedman, MBA, PhD, was considered a leader in organization development, consultation, and action learning. Dr. Freedman consulted with numerous organizations, including Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, Coopers & Lybrand, National Education Association, Boston Consulting Group, ADP, Gordon Institute of Business (S. Africa), S. California Edison, Veterans Administration, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, NIH, Houston Police Department, and Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Freedman received many prestigious awards: the 1994 RHR International Award for Excellence in Consulting Psychology; the 2007 Harry and Miriam Levinson Award for Exceptional Contributions to Organizational Consulting Psychology; the Hall of Fame Award from the National Hispanic Institute in 2011; the 2012 Distinguished Psychologist in Management award from the Society of Psychologists in Management; and the Elliott Jacques Award for the outstanding Consulting Psychology Journal article of 1997. Dr. Freedman produced more than 125 books, book chapters, articles, and professional presentations. 

Chapter 1. Preparing Consultants to Successfully Change Organizations and Systems
Chapter 2. Organizations as Systems
Chapter 3. Lewinian, Organization Development, and Change Management
Chapter 4. Leading and Managing Radical Change
Chapter 5. Covert Processes in Human Affairs
Chapter 6. Learning-Based Change
Chapter 7. Positive Psychology, Behaviorism, and Neuropsychology and the Future of Organizational and Systems Change