In the movie “The International” Clive Owen plays the role of an Interpol Agent that ventures to expose the practices of a corrupt fictitious bank. In so doing he becomes emotionally invested to the extent that he’s willing to reexamine his professional calling and says, “sometimes a man finds his destiny on a path he never intended to take.” The scene spoke to me and illustrates in short that later circumstances in life can alter, shape or even dictate one’s ultimate life calling.
Corporate wellness is somewhat of an esoteric field of practice in that if you asked a number of individuals to describe their understanding of the practice, the answers I gather may vary. It is safe to say at no point in college had I envisioned pursuing the study let alone starting a consultancy. The one constant in my life has been a steady dose of to use an Organization Development term, appreciative inquiry. That is I have always been intrigued by process, architecture, the inner workings of systems, culture, economic trends and how elements come together. That inquiry helped to connect the dots and shape Uptick Wellness from concept to reality.
An unplanned chance occurrence which in retrospect proved beneficial to our consultancy was my tenure as an Account Manager in radio with Clear Channel’s WTEM Sport’s Talk’s 980. While short lived, the role provided the business development experience that would prove essential in the execution of our model. As a corporate support function, business development is concerned with managing the development of the business from both an external and an internal perspective. This is reflected in the conception of business development units as “integrative links” between strategy and execution or rather asking what the client concerns are and answering the question why us. We then make the case for the need and demonstrate why we are well positioned to address that need.
Organization development is an applied science that is concerned with the management of enhancing systems through process and change. In short, it’s the “how” we will render the service offering. In “Organization Development, A Josey Bass Reader” Edward Schein illustrates in the Foreward that in any OD engagement, process is as important as content. “Communication, meetings design, feedback, physical arrangements, the design of workspaces and the work itself are all processes of which OD has strong knowledge.”
My introduction to OD was in my role as a Search Committee Co Chair for a new rector search. Part of the process managed by the Episcopal Diocese involved the appointment of a consultant provided to the committee to help with discernment. The process was not always easy but it was fair and collaborative. Deliberations were emotional at times and often intense. We had people leave in the process as a result of their convictions which at times were diametrically opposed to the larger group. Despite this, our consultant Dr Martin Kormanik, PHD and President of OD Systemskept us focused and helped chart a course towards the ultimate call of our present Rector. I have remained in touch with Dr Kormanick and have been an active member of his OD Development Consortium, a group of OD enthusiasts and professionals who gather semi annually to address and discuss OD topics and explore best practices. He also serves as an advisory board member to our consultancy.
The path from conception to reality or “the how” was no straight line for us at Uptick Wellness. With a well conceived vision, a steadfast Business to Business model and Organization Development methodologies, we believe we are well positioned on Emerson’s Road Less traveled. How then does a company manage and execute a successful wellness program? Stay tuned to our next post.