Handbook for Strategic HR

CHAPTER 17

Managing Use of Self for Masterful Professional Practice

David W. Jamieson, Matthew Auron, and David Shechtman

THROUGHOUT THE DEVELOPMENT of the OD field “use of self” or “self as instrument” has always been talked about or taught as important for the role of the change agent. Emphases ranged from self-awareness and personal growth to developing better skills in aspects of consulting. Interpretations spanned simply knowing more about your “self” to deeper recognitions of consciousness, choice, shadows, agency, behavior patterns, developmental theories, and intentionality. The National Training Laboratory’s T-group movement during the 1950s and 1960s brought considerable attention to self-awareness, feedback, and interpersonal and group ...