Chapter 6: Want Higher Impact Consulting?: Use Yourself as an Instrument of Change

The ancient Oracle at Delphi stated “Know thyself.” Does this advice apply to the education of consultants?

Pepperdine University has a reputation in the organization development (OD) world for producing first rate consultants. The Master of Science in Organization Development (MOSD) curriculum emphasizes business strategy, positive change, and consulting skills in a global context. To successfully implement changes in an organization it is important to note our conviction that every organizational change is preceded by an individual change. As such our consulting students need to be adept at understanding the merits and difficulties inherent in implementing change on the individual level with their clients—that of personal growth and learning. If we expect clients to learn and grow, to lead the way so that their respective organizations can make changes and progress, then consultants need to learn from personal experience what it takes to grow as an individual. The focus of this paper is on the foundational aspect of consulting skills as taught at Pepperdine—that of learning to use one’s self as an instrument of change (SAI).