Leadership Learning at Odell House

The professional development programs offered at Odell House use a learning approach that is different from a conventional course. Our experience is thatparticipants can initially find this challenging. This note talks about the learning style at Odell and what to expect as a participant.

The first thing is that Odell is not a classroom environment. Instead, we work around a large table in a setting that is closer to a boardroom. Occasionally, we use other formats like small groups but normally sessions are in plenary, led by a moderator (usually Jim Lahey), with an invited guest presenter. Participants sit around the table in open seating. On occasions when material needs to be displayed we use four large screens but, usually, the learning method is a commentary or reflection on a topic by a presenter followed by questions and wide-ranging discussion. With this as context, the sessions are facilitated to reflect some important learning principles. They are the basis of expectations for participants and create a safe and a rich learning experience.

It’s about the future: At Odell we are not trying to perfect the present, but instead we try to open doors to the future. It is true that many sessions will provide useful insights that can be taken back and applied to your job but what we are mostly focused on is helping promising executives to prepare themselves for the next stages of their careers as senior leaders.
Don’t expect prescriptions or templates: With rare exception, we steer well clear of providing recipes for success. We think boiling leadership down to a few simple statements or slogans trivializes the work required to lead and diminishes the art of leadership. Instead, we focus on strengthening ethos, expanding perspectives and elevating points of view.
Expect new relationships: Our programs offer opportunities to develop relationships with program staffwho have a keen interest in how youare experiencing your program and what new challenges and opportunities are emerging. Take full advantage of these new connections to help you walk through the learning experience and explore how you can be more effective as a leader.
Chatham House Rule AppliesThroughout: in order that presenters and participants can talk freely about leadership challenges, it is important that everyone understand that what is said at Odell, stays at Odell. Our commitment to the Chatham House Rule (“When a meeting is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed”) allows everyone to express personal views and opinions safely. The Chatham House Rule is considered to be in force unless the presenter specifically modifies its application.
We value diversity: Leadership is a complexundertaking involving a synthesis of values, ideas, insights and perspectives. We think good leaders use diversity to make better choices and we value highly the many different interpretations that emerge from presentations and discussions. Nobody has a monopoly on wisdom and everyone has something to offer and to learn.
Practitioners talk with/to practitioners: a unique characteristic of learning at Odell is the knowhow offered by seasoned practitioners. While formal knowledge and skill are evident in many sessions, for example Base Camp, the thing that most participantsfind meaningful is the practical insight and wisdom shared by seasoned presenters and participants reflecting on leadership experience gained over a lifetime of public service.
Participants self-reflect and learn from each other. At Odell,we want to help you develop as a reflective practitioner who can think about what has been said and integratethese ideas with your own and other’s experience, and then take action to incorporate the insight in your leadership practice as appropriate. We encourage participants to learn from others’ diverse experience and, in turn, to share your own stories about leading in the public service.
Participants Add Value. At Odell you will experience the very best learning resources as A-List presenters share perspectives and hard-won practical insights. Engaging these resources in a deep, full and frank discussionis where the Odell magic comes from. We encourage participants to reflect on the topic at hand and ask thoughtful questions that add value to the session and enhance everyone’s learning.
Participants are responsible for their own development.At Odell, our job is to create the conditions that enable participants to develop. We will strive to create a safe and supportive reflective learning space but, to be clear; the work of development is the participant’s responsibility. It is met through attendance, presence and active participation. We suggest that participants monitor their learning by journaling and self-assessing themselves at the beginningand end of the program on the evolving state of their leadership practice.We will provide feedback on self-assessments.
Learning continues after the program. In addition to increasing their leadership capacity, participants complete an Odell program with renewed energy and many new professional relationships. Our hope is that these will extend and expand the learning journey started at Odell so that participants continue to develop their leadership practice.