This is an experiential program whereby new competencies are developed sequentially both by design and in response to the business needs. The program is light on theory/philosophy and learning occurs primarily through practical, relevant applicable practices that address business concerns, opportunities and breakdowns as they arise.

In our vernacular, practices are sets of skills that can be learned and perfected. Practices are the only way we know to connect ideas to actions. (If you’re a golfer, you’re not going to improve your swing by reading about it or watching someone else – if you’re committed to improving your game, odds are that in addition to reading and watching, you’ll also work with a coach and practice.) Successful action in human domains does not come from rules, procedures or prescriptions. It comes from embodied skill.

A practice is embodied when its performance is transparent, automatic and habitual. You can put an embodied skill into action immediately without thinking about it.

Teaching the basic practices detailed in the Opus Organizational Development Program, purely as a series of conversational models is often inadequate if we’re committed to building the capacity to respond optimally to the opportunities and breakdowns that recurrently appear in our personal and professional lives. Even with enhanced awareness and strong command of the linguistic constructs, many will still have difficulty inspiring trust, connecting with the people they interact with, listening for deep concerns and responding well in chaotic or challenging situations. Hence the experiential design of our programs.