OpenSourceOD
OD Wisdom Exchange
In Organization Development, wisdom—real insight gained through experience—is often overlooked. We chase bold ideas, but without wisdom, they lose grounding. Wisdom helps us avoid old mistakes, stay steady in change, and keep growing. Yet we rarely make space to pass it on. It's time we changed that.
That’s why we’re launching the free OD Wisdom Exchange Series. This three-part event brings experienced and emerging practitioners together to share, reflect, and learn. Many cultures have long honored this kind of exchange. Today, we often skip it. This series helps us reconnect, blending deep experience with fresh thinking so our field can grow stronger—together.
Wisdom & Innovation
In many wisdom traditions, innovation is seen not as a departure from wisdom but as its natural evolution. In Ubuntu philosophy from Southern Africa, for instance, innovation emerges through interconnectedness: “I am because we are.” Creativity is fueled by a community’s collective knowledge and its commitment to learning from history. In Eastern philosophies, such as Taoism, growth and adaptation occur by harmonizing tradition with change, where new paths emerge by learning to “flow” with the natural rhythm of experience.
OD is no different. The most powerful interventions arise not from rigid adherence to old models nor from abandoning them entirely but by asking: What wisdom can guide us in imagining something better? Without a regular process for accessing collective wisdom, we risk stagnation and disconnection.
Join us!
All new, emerging, and seasoned OD practitioners are welcome!
Facilitated by Carol Gorelick, Dave Fearon, and Bill Brendel
Part 1: Trees
We begin with introductions and relationship building. Participants will then split into two groups based on years of practice, not age: Redwoods: Practitioners with deep experience in the field of OD. Rising Pines: Emerging practitioners with less experience but fresh perspectives and questions.
In these groups, each cohort will reflect on the purpose and structure of the event. Redwoods will discuss potential dialogue topics, such as essential OD lessons, root stories of transformation, and strategies for rising above current challenges. These topics will shape the core of the wisdom exchange, where the Redwoods speak while Rising Pines observe. Rising Pines will explore their hopes, dreams, and pressing questions. What do they want to learn from those with decades of experience? What do they see as the challenges and opportunities for OD in the next 10-20 years? This preparation ensures that both groups have the opportunity to shape the dialogue from the start.
Part 2: Roots
The core of this session is the Wisdom Exchange, inspired by practices used in circle councils and Socratic learning communities. The Redwoods will form an inner circle, engaging in a reflective, generative dialogue based on the forest echoes captured in Session 1. The Rising Pines will observe, listening for insights and patterns that resonate with their own experiences. This method is designed to model vulnerability, storytelling, and the art of reflective practice—core competencies in OD leadership.
Next, Rising Pines will share their reflections, connections, and questions, which will lead into a whole-group dialogue designed to bridge generational perspectives. This process mirrors cross-cultural practices of reciprocal mentorship, where elders and younger adults co-create shared understanding.
Part 3: Forest
In the final session, both groups come together to reflect on lessons learned and actionable insights. The dialogue will shift from generative reflection to collaborative co-design.
Participants will explore questions such as:
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How can we continue to honor and apply wisdom in our daily practice?
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What structures can sustain intergenerational learning within our OD communities?
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How can we amplify the voices of seasoned and emerging practitioners in ways that promote innovation without losing our core values?
By the end of this session, participants will have developed a set of shared commitments and practices for ongoing mentorship, collaboration, and innovation in the field.