1. Masters Class with Tony Petrella
For more information contact Carol at cgausz@blueheronassociates.com Page 1
What participants are saying:
“It can be difficult for the seasoned professional to find developmental programs that provide enough
growth to make the investment of time, money and travel worthwhile. This is one of those few
programs that has provided that differentiating value. It has supported me and my own self awareness
and confidence as a practitioner as I have to revitalize my practice and increase my own impact as a
consultant in my organization. It is exactly what I needed at this point in time.” John Ledwith
“You guys have created a wonderful program and I believe you offer a gift of rare quality. Tony is a
great mentor who needs to be experienced; one needs to sit with him, to listen, to reflect, to become
saturated in the questions he presents and the responses he evokes within one’s self. The program offers
mature OD professionals an opportunity for great learning and development. Although this program
was titled Mastering the Art of Enterprise Wide Organization Development, my learning went far
beyond the bounds of consulting to enterprise-wide change. As a consultant, as an adult learner, this
Class gave me professional and personal value. ” Deborah Ranier
“A unique opportunity to “sit at the feet of one of OD’s masters” with a rich and talented group of OD
colleagues… Real time case studies, deep conversation, the sharing of experiences and knowledge, and
deeper appreciation for our individual gifts and possibilities for using those gifts in organizations and in
the OD field was a one-of-a-kind developmental experience. I have left with a greater respect and
yearning to make a whole system difference in organizations. I have also left this experience with a
keener sense of how I can bring my talents to bear in an organization.” Brenda Reynolds
This class came at the perfect time in my life, and was real value on many different levels, extending far
beyond other learning experiences:
Learning from a master about Enterprise-wide OD, and learning from a well-selected group of
seasoned professionals who together, created a rich and rewarding learning environment.
Bringing real work to reflect upon and act upon. I learned from my own work, and from others’ work
as well. I was able to immediately apply thinking around the work I am doing.
One of Tony’s unique gifts is his amazing alignment of mind-heart-soul and it shows up in his
authentic presence as a leader, his value system, and how he approaches his work
Inspiration – I became re-invigorated around my passion for doing this work, and the unique
contribution I have to make
Always keeping results and the customer at the forefront of the conversation kept us grounded on
the contribution of OD to business
Kerry Tompson
Development opportunity for seasoned managers and OD practitioners:
Explore your current practice:
o how well you are leveraging the opportunity to work at the level that
improves full enterprise performance
o where your true interests lie and how aligned your current practice is with
those interests
Reinvigorate your confidence and capability to practice at the enterprise level (not
large group interventions),
Explore and rejuvenate your use of ‘self as instrument’
2. Masters Class with Tony Petrella
For more information contact Carol at cgausz@blueheronassociates.com Page 2
THE OFFER: A rich and supportive learning environment focused on mutual learning
and development in a beautiful, serene location
A small group of peers guided by Tony Petrella (Block, Petrella, Weisbord) and Carol Gausz,
Blue Heron Associates, come together in Annapolis, MD for 3 two and one-half day sessions
over a period of several months and focus on:
The value and power of working at the enterprise level1
.
Your current practice, how well you are leveraging the opportunity to work at the
enterprise level, and your interest in this work.
Where your true interests lie and how well your current managerial or consulting
practice (internal or external) aligns with these interests
Building your confidence and capability to gain access to and work at the enterprise
wide level
Your relationship with the leadership of the organization
Turning ideas and knowledge into action and results
Intervening at the top level of the enterprise, on issues that improve overall enterprise wide
performance, is a daunting task. It requires understanding and facility in working with a
complex and powerful set of forces and dynamics. It also requires considerable self-confidence
and courage as well as capability. It is rare, if not impossible, for an individual to engage in this
work without experiencing times of self-doubt and considerable stress. Since it is only an
individual’s personal sense of mastery that will allow her or him to successfully engage an
entire organization as a client, we will delve directly into these issues. So, beyond substantive
learning, we will spend some time in each session to work on enhancing self-awareness and
self-expression.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Practice Reviews will be the touchstone for all dialogue and learning. Each participant will
present aspects of their own work in relation to the focal point of each session and raise
questions and issues they would like the group to address. The group will contribute to
learning and development by: making constructive observations and suggestions using their
own experience, reflections and world views and by comparing and contrasting the
effectiveness of various interventions against the goal of improving the client organization’s
performance.
Theoretical frameworks, readings, and work examples will also be shared by Tony and
Carol, as they relate to the specific focus of each session.
Each of the 3 sessions will include: pre-work; in session experience – full group, small group
and individual; and opportunity for coaching between sessions.
1
Enterprise wide: the discipline and perspective that makes visible, relevant and significant contributions to the
improvement of an ENTIRE organization’s performance. This is not to be confused with whole scale change events
e.g. get everyone in the room.
3. Masters Class with Tony Petrella
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Although theoretical material and various world view frameworks will be provided, the
primary focus will be the actual experience of the participants as pathways to effective real
work – effective intervention in particular situations. This will keep all theory well grounded and
practical.
Lastly, we expect that this group will become a strong source of mutual support and potentially
a continuing forum for practitioners of enterprise wide improvement.
In the end, we expect that participants will have increased:
Appreciation for the value and power of enterprise-wide intervention.
Understanding as to where your true interests lie (enterprise wide or other).
Insight and knowledge about positioning yourself in a way that will enhance the likelihood of
your finding opportunities to do enterprise wide work, or wherever your true interests lie.
LOGISTICS AND ENROLLMENT
Maximum number of Participants: 6
To create a rich learning environment, we seek seasoned managers and OD practitioners.
Session dates/times: Thursday morning – midday Saturday; March 24-26, May 12-14, July
14-16. Participants are encouraged to arrive Wednesday evening for each session.
Costs:
o Tuition: $3000 for all 3 sessions
o Accommodations: $1200 for all 3 sessions ($400 for each 3 night session). We
have rented a house on the water outside of Annapolis for sleeping, most meals
and the session to provide a comfortable location, facilitate a sense of
community among participants and keep costs down. Each participant will have
their own room. In addition, there is a beautiful yard, plenty of spaces for
reflection, and good walking opportunities. (see participant comments below).
o Meals: Approximately $150 per session which includes one meal out in
downtown Annapolis.
Participant comments re facility, food, etc.
“The facility was perfect to create the right learning environment for a small intimate group of
learners. It provided a casual place to learn with many places to break out and have 1x1 discussions.
The setting is amazingly beautiful and serene.” John Ledwith
“The home, its location, the opportunity for the group to spend concentrated time together “living”
in this setting was ideal. The food arrangement worked well. Appreciated dinner out in
Annapolis. Was a nice feature of the program and perk of its location.” Brenda Reynolds
“Great facility … having one dinner in (downtown) Annapolis with the opportunity to experience a
bit of city through Tony’s eyes is really a wonderful treat each session. The group cooking was a
good community building activity, and the food was great! Carol’s careful planning and attention to
physical needs and supports is really a key element in making this program effective, especially
when we are living in a group situation. She goes way beyond facilitating the session agendas, to
caring for us as a group.” Deborah Ranier
4. Masters Class with Tony Petrella
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SESSION SUBSTANTIVE FOCAL POINTS:
Session I - Total Organization
Framing Masters Class:
o Importance of Enterprise wide work
o Context of Organization Development – i.e. OD to what end?
Understanding the organization/enterprise – theory & practice review:
o External view: in relation to its environment i.e. market, competitors,
stakeholders
o Internal view:
core purpose, mission, and identity
value chain analysis - where greatest leverage lies in improving
performance in light of organization’s position within the external
environment
Contracting for this work – internally and externally
o What the consultant needs to bring to the project
o What situations invite enterprise wide intervention
Session II – Leadership & Culture
Value sets/ World view
Leadership – Personification of culture
What followers seek
Dilemmas of leadership
Balance and harmony
Authenticity - leadership is autobiographical
What leadership characteristics enhance the likelihood of successful interventions
Interventions – with an emphasis on results-based interventions
Session III – Consultant – Internal and External Practitioners
Value sets/ World view
Relationship with clients
Organization’s effectiveness in the marketplace
An affirming stance
Authenticity
Self-nurturance
5. Masters Class with Tony Petrella
For more information contact Carol at cgausz@blueheronassociates.com Page 5
BIOS:
Tony Petrella, one of the founding partners as well as the managing partner of the legendary
OD consulting firm of Block, Petrella & Weisbord, has made significant contributions to the field
of OD. Tony has consulted to key executives in the United States and internationally for over 40
years. His work has always focused on developing greater commitment and accountability
through restructuring work as well as improving the culture of the organization. His goal has
always been the fulfillment of organizational purpose – keeping the “O” in OD.
From 1975 to 1985 he also served as the Executive Director of the National Organization
Development Network. He has lectured and taught OD at the Brookings Institution, Columbia
University, George Washington University and Queens University (Canada). He continues to
teach in the Pepperdine MSOD program and at Sonoma State University. He still consults on a
limited basis and mentors organizational leaders and practitioners of OD. Tony resides near
Annapolis with his wife Linda, conveniently located for his love of sailing, gardening and his twin
granddaughters.
Carol Gausz, founder and President of Blue Heron Associates Inc., works with leaders to
cultivate conditions for exceptional performance - creating clear compelling strategic direction,
aligning organizations with strategy, inspiring effective leadership and teams – integrating trust
building at every point.
She comes to consulting after 20+ years as an internal leader of strategic change – creating and
leading capabilities such as strategy, business development, marketing, customer satisfaction,
and strategic partnerships. She has served as CEO of a non-profit agency and has served on
numerous boards. She also recently completed a 3 year term as Board Chair of one of the
largest family-serving agencies in Delaware during a time of incredible agency transition –
recruiting a new CEO for the first time in 20+ years and completing 2 mergers.
Carol had the good fortune to meet Tony as she pursued her Masters in OD at Pepperdine and
he has lent great support in her efforts as a part of a small team of Pepperdine alumni to create
quality learning, fellowship, and scholarship fund-raising opportunities on the East coast. She
resides in Delaware with her family and is active in causes that make a positive difference in the
lives of children.