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In today’s work environment, small groups of two to twenty are the way work gets done. We all know, unfortunately, that many groups do not fulfill their promise. Yet as OSR graduates know first-hand, a rare number of groups surpass expectations and inspire the use of words such as amazing, magical, or once-in-a-lifetime. What allows some groups to do the exceptional? How do these groups differ from most others? What can any of us do to intentionally create these extraordinary experiences? Those who know the answers to these questions bring a powerful skill set to any work or community setting.

Starting in 2006, Geoff Bellman and Kathleen Ryan studied the experiences of sixty people and their extraordinary groups-all in search of the answers to these three questions. Their work has resulted in a new book that includes:

    •    A model that describes six instinctive and very human needs that each person brings to any group-whether at work, in the community, or at home

    •    A set of indicators that differentiate extraordinary groups

    •    Thoughts about personal transformation and how it happens within a group

    •    Specific suggestions for actions that any group member, leader, or facilitator can take to encourage extraordinary groups

Come to this session to learn about their work, Extraordinary Groups (Jossey-Bass, 2009), and what you can do to help achieve amazing results.

Geoff Bellman has worked with large organizations for forty years, fourteen as an internal consultant and manager, twenty-six as an external consultant. His work has focused on renewing large, mature organizations. He serves as faculty for many graduate programs in organization development. Geoff’s consultation, workshops and talks have taken him to five continents. He has written six books, the latest of which is Extraordinary Groups: How Ordinary Teams Achieve Amazing Results (Jossey-Bass, 2009) co-authored with Kathleen Ryan. Other books include The Consultant’s Calling (second edition, Jossey-Bass, 2002) and Getting Things Done When You’re Not In Charge (second edition Berrett-Koehler, 2001).

Kathleen Ryan has practiced organization development since 1984 through The Orion Partnership. Identified as "an organizational consultant" with "an instinct for translating complex human behavior into practical concepts," her work focuses on executive coaching and on-boarding and culture change. She serves on the Board of Directors for Seattle University’s Master’s degree program in Organization Systems Renewal. Extraordinary Groups: How Ordinary Teams Achieve Amazing Results (Jossey-Bass, 2009), co-authored with Geoffrey Bellman is her third book. Other books include The Courageous Messenger (Jossey-Bass, 1996 co-authored with Daniel Oestreich and George Orr) and Driving Fear Out of the Workplace, second edition (Jossey-Bass, 1998 co-authored with Daniel Oestreich). She has an extensive list of clients in health care, government, technology, and philanthropy.

Both Geoff and Kathy have been active supporters of the OSR program for a number of years.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Seattle University

Student Center, Room 210

Light Refreshments

Contact Paula Brekke with questions - brekkep@seattleu.edu

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