It Just Ain’t What it Used to Be: The Impact of Remote and Hybrid Working on the Practice of Organization Consulting

In March 2020 the global pandemic struck and suddenly all our engagements became remote, requiring organization practitioners to work almost exclusively over Zoom, Teams, and the like. Working remotely required us to alter how we consult. Becoming adept with the technology was one thing. But the bigger challenge may have been altering how we “use ourselves” as instruments in an all-remote consulting process.

When we are no longer physically present with each other, we miss data, subtle but important non-verbal cues like body posture, tonal inflections, how group members arrange themselves relative to each other and more. Lacking these inputs, our sensory, cognitive, and emotional processing –  what some call our use-of-self – was diminished. And yet, we carried on.

In this Community Conversation we will explore this challenge and the changes consultants have made in how they “use themselves”. We will discuss the adaptations, techniques, and tools members of our community have employed to continue their practices. And we will consider how these adaptations might affect our practice and profession going forward.

Join ODF’s new Board member, Carlos Valdes-Dapena who will facilitate this active exchange of ideas and suggestions rather than a presentation.