UNBOXING OD: Exploring the Work Behind the Work

Unboxing OD is your guide to making sense of Organizational Development - one thoughtful conversation at a time. Hosted by Kenneth Pearson, seasoned OD practitioner and author of The Flow of Five Tiers , this podcast unpacks the complexity of organizational life with clarity, compassion, and a bit of edge. Whether you're an early-career OD professional, a leader trying to navigate change, or simply someone who believes workplaces can be more human, you'll find grounded insights and actionable takeaways here. While most episodes are solo deep dives into the fieldwork and philosophy behind OD, we also feature voices from the field, bringing in experts, newcomers, and those who challenge the status quo. No jargon. No endless theory. Just practical wisdom, lived experience, and a steady focus on making organizations better for the people who keep them alive. Ready to deepen your OD practice? Connect with Kenneth on LinkedIn at

UNBOXING OD: Exploring the Work Behind the Work is a business podcast hosted by Kenneth Pearson, with 39 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Kenneth Pearson hosts UNBOXING OD: Exploring the Work Behind the Work, a business show with 39 episodes published.

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  Episode #7

  Episode 39: The Myth of Best Practices in Organizational Development

  Sep 28, 202615 minS3

  “Best practices” sound reassuring. Someone has already figured it out. There’s a model to follow, a process to replicate, and a little less uncertainty to deal with. But organizations aren’t interchangeable. In Episode 39 of The Unboxing OD Podcast , Kenneth Pearson explores our reliance on best practices and what can happen when proven approaches become substitutes for understanding the organization in front of us. This episode looks at the tension between borrowing what works and assuming it will work here ... and why context, curiosity, and good diagnosis still matter. Best practices can give us a place to start. The question is whether we know when to stop following them and start paying attention. Support the show CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC : www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail : info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS" : Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS & AFFILIATES Heather & Edward Allen Roth 4th Foundation for Arts in Medicine (HEAR 4 FAM) Fund

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  Episode #6

  Episode 38: Who Owns Organizational Development? The Clarity Crisis of OD

  Jul 20, 20269 minS3

  Organizational Development touches leadership, culture, strategy, change, learning, engagement, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness. Somewhere along the way, many organizations began asking OD to solve almost every complex people challenge. But what does Organizational Development actually own? In this episode of Unboxing OD , Kenneth Pearson explores how the expanding role of OD has created both opportunity and ambiguity. When a function becomes responsible for everything, its purpose becomes harder to define, its impact becomes more difficult to measure, and its influence can quietly erode. This conversation examines why clarity matters, how undefined boundaries create unrealistic expectations, and what it means for Organizational Development to establish a clear strategic identity. Whether you work in OD, HR, Learning and Development, or lead organizational change, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of the profession's most important questions. Because clarity creates credibility, and credibility shapes influence. Support the show CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC : www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail : info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS" : Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS & AFFILIATES Heather & Edward Allen Roth 4th Foundation for Arts in Medicine (HEAR 4 FAM) Fund

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  Episode #5

  Episode 37: Is Organizational Development Too Polite to Create Real Change?

  Jun 1, 202611 minS3

  Organizational Development was built to challenge systems, surface truth, and help organizations evolve. So why does so much OD work feel safe? In this episode of Unboxing OD , Kenneth Pearson explores a question that many practitioners have quietly considered but rarely discuss openly: Has Organizational Development become too polite to create real change? From softened language and endless consensus-building to the pressure of maintaining executive relationships, this conversation examines how the field can drift from confronting difficult realities toward managing organizational comfort. Kenneth explores the tension between clarity and politeness, the hidden cost of protecting systems from discomfort, and why transformation requires more than engagement surveys, workshops, and carefully crafted communication plans. This episode challenges listeners to consider whether Organizational Development is helping organizations transform or helping them become more comfortable with the status quo. If you work in Organizational Development, Human Resources, Leadership Development, Change Management, or organizational leadership, this conversation may change the way you think about influence, accountability, and the role of OD in modern organizations. In this episode: Why politeness can limit organizational transformation The difference between movement and meaningful change How OD can become the shock absorber for leadership decisions The hidden impact of softened organizational language Why clarity may be the most disruptive tool OD possesses Subscribe to Unboxing OD wherever you stream podcasts and join the conversation about what Organizational Development can become when it embraces honesty, courage, and clarity. Support the show CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC : www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail : info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS" : Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS & AFFILIATES Heather & Edward Allen Roth 4th Foundation for Arts in Medicine (HEAR 4 FAM) Fund

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  Episode #4

  Episode 36: Creating Joyful Workplaces - Curiosity, Learning, and Growth with Yolanda Fraction

  Apr 24, 202656 minS3

  Sometimes, the path into Organizational Development begins with a single moment. A moment where someone recognizes potential and opens the door to something more. In this episode of Unboxing OD , Kenneth Pearson sits down with Yolanda Fraction, author of Joyful Workplaces , to explore how that moment shaped her journey and how it continues to influence the way she approaches leadership, learning, and development. What begins as a personal story expands into a deeper conversation about how growth actually happens in organizations. Together, they explore how adults learn, how environment shapes experience, and how curiosity becomes a powerful driver in creating meaningful and lasting development. At the heart of this conversation is a simple and powerful idea: Joyful workplaces are created through intentional design, thoughtful leadership, and a deep understanding of the people at the center of the work. This episode offers a grounded perspective on what it means to support growth in real time while building environments where individuals can think, reflect, and contribute in meaningful ways. To learn more about Yolanda’s work and her book Joyful Workplaces , connect with her here: ORDER JOYFUL WORKPLACES: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRG5FJ84 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-fraction/ Website: https://www.yolandafraction.com Yolanda Fraction's Bio: Yolanda Fraction is a Senior Organization Development Consultant at Johns Hopkins University and a doctoral student in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. With over 20 years of experience spanning higher education, government, nonprofits, and corporate environments, she helps leaders and teams navigate change, foster human-centered workplaces, and build cultures where people and performance thrive. She is the host of the Teamwork Sandbox podcast and an emerging author on joyful workplaces. Yolanda is passionate about translating evidence-based insights into practical strategies that inspire transformation. Support the show CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC : www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail : info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS" : Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS & AFFILIATES Heather & Edward Allen Roth 4th Foundation for Arts in Medicine (HEAR 4 FAM) Fund

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  Episode #3

  Episode 35: Strategy, Systems, and Succession - Inside STL-ODN's Growth Story

  Mar 5, 20261h 16mS3

  What happens when Organizational Development Professionals apply their own principles to their own organization? In this episode of Unboxing OD , Kenneth Pearson sits down with members of the executive team from the St. Louis Organizational Development Network — Ryan McCrea, Aaron Adams, and Joani Alsop — to explore how STL-ODN moved from survival mode to sustained momentum. This conversation goes beyond networking and professional development. It unpacks what intentional strategy, structured operating rhythms, succession planning, mentoring systems, sponsorship development, and regional focus actually look like in practice. The STL-ODN team shares: How they clarified strategy and separated tactical work from strategic work Why co-creating their mission and vision with members mattered How mentoring became both a development tool and a pipeline for leadership continuity The importance of financial sustainability in nonprofit professional communities How they built succession visibility with a president-elect model What it takes to protect momentum without overextending the organization This episode is a real-world case study in systems thinking, resilience, and human-centered leadership within a volunteer-run organization. If you’re part of a professional association, an internal OD team, or a leadership group trying to move from “just keeping it afloat” to thriving with intention, this conversation offers practical insight and encouragement. Connect with the Executive Team Ryan McCrea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmccrea Aaron Adams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronadams82 Joani Alsop LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanialsop Visit the St. Louis Organizational Development Network Websites and Consider Supporting the Organization! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/st-louis-organizational-development-network-stl-odn Website: https://www.stlodn.org Support the show CONNECT WITH KENNETH: LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-pearson Pearson & Pearson LLC : www.pearsonpearson.llc E-Mail : info@pearsonpearson.llc TO ORDER "THE FLOW OF FIVE TIERS" : Buy The Flow of Five Tiers: A Framework for Structuring High-Functioning Organizations (20% Off) THE 1:1 PATHFINDING SESSION https://calendly.com/kenneth-pearson/pathfinding-session SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS & AFFILIATES Heather & Edward Allen Roth 4th Foundation for Arts in Medicine (HEAR 4 FAM) Fund

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