Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Eastern

The Business Of OD: Learning From Each Other

External consulting is probably the most popular and definitely the most often fantasized about career path in OD. But what is it really like? How do you make the switch from a full-time role to a solo practice? And what are some things to consider before doing so, about your work, your life and your self?

Melissa has been solo consulting full-time for the last 18 months, having previously started her independent practice before going back into an organization for (an unexpected) eight years. In this session, she will share some things she’s learned in the transition and then facilitate participants in gathering lessons they have learned in their own career journeys that could be applicable to others. Finally, we’ll collectively brainstorm how CBODN could support practitioners wanting to follow the independent consulting path.

This will be an interactive session, in which we explicitly hold a learning versus a performing stance and seek to gain wisdom - or at least commiseration - from one another.

Presenter:  

Melissa George Kessler is a consultant and executive coach working in the areas of strategy and organization effectiveness through her independent practice, Organizations + Communications, and with partner firms. She began her career as a reporter and editor; later ran the communications shops for two agriculture associations; and has worked extensively in trade policy and education. Learn more here or on LinkedIn.