UNBOXING OD: From Curiosity to Capability in Organizational Development

In this guest episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson sits down with Bethany Rios, Organizational Development Manager and L&D professional, for a candid conversation about stepping into the world of OD from a background in training and development. 

Together, they explore what it means to shift from a skills-based approach to a systems-level mindset, how OD differs from L&D in practice, and why relationship-building and...

In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth explores the powerful presence of organizational power dynamics and the influence they carry in shaping culture, conversations, and decisions. These dynamics often live beneath the surface, guiding what is shared, what remains unspoken, and how change takes shape across teams and leadership. 

Kenneth invites listeners to reflect on what it means to be brought in as a trusted voice, while also ...

In this powerful and personal conversation, Dr. Victoria Mattingly (Dr. V) - organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and CEO of Mattingly Solutions - joins Kenneth to explore what it really means to act like an ally in the workplace.

From her unexpected entry into IO psychology to the human-centered heart of her work, Dr. V shares the stories and insights that have shaped her journey. Together, they dive into how allyship can ...

We all love a quick fix - something that solves the problem, calms the chaos, and gets us back on track. But in the world of Organizational Development, quick fixes often don’t fix anything at all. In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth explores the myth of fast solutions and why real, sustainable change takes time, reflection, and iteration.

He unpacks why surface-level interventions often miss the mark, how root cause analysis re...

What separates a one-time workshop from an intervention that actually changes the way people work together?

In this episode of Unboxing OD, we explore what it really takes to design effective Organizational Development interventions - those that align with strategy, honor the human experience, and create lasting movement in the system.

Kenneth Pearson walks through how to ground interventions in real organizational goals, shares list...

Storytelling isn’t just a soft skill - it’s one of the most powerful tools OD practitioners have to navigate complexity, build trust, and move people through change. In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson explores how stories can transform the way organizations engage with change, strategy, and culture.

You’ll get a quick overview of how to simplify complex initiatives through narrative, craft compelling change stories that...

What happens when we pause, zoom out, and ask: What are we really building?

In this special episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson introduces The Flow of Five Tiers - a reflective, systems-based framework for understanding how real change happens inside organizations. Rather than offering another top-down model, this episode presents a fresh, integrated lens for OD practitioners and change leaders seeking clarity in complexity...

Trust and credibility aren’t just nice-to-haves in Organizational Development - they’re foundational. In this episode of Unboxing OD, we briefly explore how OD practitioners can build influence without formal authority, create psychological safety within teams, and turn resistance into opportunity.

Through the story of Devon, a new internal OD specialist navigating the difference between permission and trust, we uncover what it real...

What does a typical day look like for an Organizational Development (OD) practitioner? The short answer: there’s no such thing as typical.

In this episode of Unboxing OD, we walk through the real-world responsibilities of OD professionals - how we move from deep diagnosis to intentional intervention, build strategic trust with leadership, navigate complex political dynamics, and make tough prioritization calls when everything feels ...

What if the key to better leadership ... is better followership?

In this episode of Unboxing OD, we’re flipping the script and turning our attention to a concept that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential - followership. We’ll explore what followership really is (and what it’s not), how it plays a vital role in organizational success, and why developing this skill is just as important as leadership itself.

You’ll hear the story...

What does it really mean to think like an OD practitioner? It’s more than just knowing frameworks or designing interventions - it’s about embracing complexity, seeing organizations as interconnected systems, and balancing business outcomes with employee well-being. It’s about making tough ethical decisions with integrity and navigating change with a people-centered approach. And above all, it’s about self-awareness and continuous l...

In this episode of Unboxing OD, we’re pulling back the curtain on a question that’s fundamental yet often misunderstood: What does an Organizational Development (OD) professional actually do? Today, we’re diving into the core responsibilities of OD professionals - diagnosing organizational health, designing targeted interventions, facilitating change, and measuring impact - all with the goal of helping organizations function more e...

Leadership and management - two words often used interchangeably, yet they play distinct and complementary roles in shaping organizations. In this special episode of Unboxing OD, we explore how leadership and management work together to drive sustainable success.

This episode holds particular significance as part of my graduate coursework at National University, where I’m pursuing a Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psy...

Imagine a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, admit mistakes, and challenge the status quo without fear of judgment or retaliation. That’s the power of psychological safety, and it’s not just a nice-to-have - it’s a critical factor in an organization’s success. But creating this kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional effort, and Organizational Development (OD) practitioners play a ke...

Leadership isn’t just a title - it’s the engine that drives Organizational Development. 

In this episode of Unboxing OD, we explore why leadership is the single most important factor in determining whether OD initiatives thrive or fade away. We introduce real-world examples, from Netflix’s commitment to culture to Uber’s early missteps, showing how leadership decisions shape an organization’s DNA. 

We’ll also dive into the challenges...

Culture and strategy - two forces that shape every organization. But what happens when they’re not aligned? In this episode of Unboxing OD, we explore the powerful intersection of culture and strategy, breaking down how these elements must work together to create lasting success.

We’ve all seen organizations with ambitious strategies that fall flat because the culture isn’t there to support them. A company might say it values innova...

Success in Organizational Development isn’t always easy to define. Unlike tracking sales or profits, OD measures impact in areas like engagement, retention, and culture - elements that often resist easy quantification. In this episode of Unboxing OD, host Kenneth Pearson unpacks the art and science of measuring OD success.

From leading indicators like engagement scores to lagging indicators like improved retention and productivity, ...

What exactly does an Organizational Development (OD) practitioner do? You’ve seen them in action—or maybe just heard about them—but their role often feels elusive. In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson demystifies the role of the OD practitioner, peeling back the layers to reveal how these professionals guide organizations toward long-term success.

Join us as we explore:

• The day-to-day work of an OD practitioner, from d...

Effective communication is the foundation of every successful organization, but it’s often easier said than done. In this episode of Unboxing OD, Kenneth Pearson tackles the art of organizational communication—breaking down why it’s more than just talking, emailing, or sharing updates.

Join us as we explore:

• Why communication isn’t about saying more but saying it better.
• The three pillars of communication: clarity, consistency, an...