OD for Life
Why is this needed?
In place of a story of extraction, we need a new story of progress that cultivates resilience, connection, regeneration and care.
We need to explore and challenge what we are “developing” with our organisational and leadership development work, and why.
And we need to articulate the leadership that is truly needed in these times.
To respond to these needs, we believe there are critical tensions and dynamics we'll have to work through together, as a field:
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How will we navigate the line between the ethics of our profession and the ethics of life’s continued viability?
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What changes when we acknowledge that life hangs in the balance and that we may have a vital role to play in turning things around?
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Are we asking big enough questions of our clients? And if not, are we complicit in the dynamics that threaten human civilization?
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What does it look like to take a stand? And what will help us find the courage to do so?
This is why we are gathering as a movement, to help identify wise action and to support each other in moving in that direction.
The story of this work
​This initiative began in 2019 within the Bio-Leadership Project, sparked by a series of interviews on systems change in the field of Organisational Development. First led by Andres Roberts and Din van Helden, later joined by Joeri Kabalt. In 2020 and early 2021, we hosted a series of Inquiry Circles to explore a central question:
How can we shift the story of human progress toward one that cares for all of life—from within the field of OD?
As insights and connections grew, it became clear that the next step was to create a shared space—a hive—where practitioners could gather, connect, and explore new possibilities through ongoing inquiry.We were honored to be joined by Michelle Holliday, whose presence further deepened the work.
In May 2022, a group of two dozen people came together in the Dutch countryside for two days of reflection and visioning. That gathering gave rise to the Maniflexo, a living expression of our shared intentions.
To support this work with a neutral, non-commercial foundation—and with a core focus on shared learning—OD for Life was formally registered as a foundation later that year.
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