Episode 230

If You’re Not Asking Why, It’s Not OD

April 6th, 2026

19 mins 57 secs

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About this Episode

In this episode, we draw a clear line between real Organization Development and work that just looks productive.

Too often, OD starts with tools, processes, and “best practices”—without ever getting clear on the purpose behind them. The result? A lot of activity… and not much impact.

We break it down simply:
The Why – increasing organizational effectiveness and health
The How – the tools and processes used to get there

Most teams start with the How. That’s the problem.

Using performance management as an example, we explore why traditional approaches fall flat—despite all the effort—and why more than two-thirds of employees see reviews as a waste of time.

We’ll share a different approach we’ve used—one that starts with Why and actually drives results.

If your OD work feels busy but not effective, this episode will help you refocus on what really matters.