Chicago OD Practitioners Network
Topic: Expanding Your Power in 2026!
Date: Friday, Jan 30, 2026
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Time: 7:45-8:00 AM, CDT networking
8:00-9:30 AM, CDT program
Register: Send an email to CODPNetwork@gmail.com by Monday,January 26 (free program). You will receive a Zoom link the week of the program.
Program Description:
For many Organization Development (OD) professionals, the current era of profound disruption—such as AI's takeover, world-wide political polarization and climate change—presents a pivotal moment to re-evaluate and expand our professional power.
But why should we want power? How do we grow it to make a greater difference in the things that matter? We’ll explore these questions together.
The path to power requires that we reflect on where we are, dive into new frontiers, and commit to living next steps. In the first CODPN session of 2026, we’ll explore how to leverage power to drive transformative change and build better systems. We’ll apply stories and lessons from an “Octopus OD” framework (connected, living tenacles) into our own next steps.
This interactive workshop will challenge each of us to move past traditional authority & domination concepts of power, to confront the question: "Power for What?" Win-lose fame & fortune or Win-Win-Win outcomes?
The goal of this program is for each participant to begin increasing power and influence in their current personal or professional lives. Bruce’s OD cases offer real-world stories to consider as you empower the organizations you serve—and your own OD career. What will you do in 2026?
About the Speaker
Bruce Mabee has consulted in 135 organizations in the U.S. and overseas in a 50-year OD practice as an internal consultant, external consultant, and manager. He has trained over 1,000 consultants and leaders in Europe, Asia and the US in strategic consulting, and has taught OD, strategy, and other leadership topics in nine graduate schools.
Bruce designed and taught “Power” for the Master’s and PhD OD programs at Benedictine University and the George Williams/Aurora OD Master’s programs. He has presented a variety of Power workshops for the OD Network of Chicago, CODIC and other OD associations.
Bruce is a former President of the OD Network of Chicago. He holds an M.S. in OD, a BFA in Industrial Design, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development of the Association of Talent Development (ATD). He has served for 15 years as an evaluator for ATD's Excellence in Practice and BEST Awards and co-created the Impact Awards of the OD Network of Chicago. He is currently writing a book on "Practical Impact."
Program Format:
Mix of presentation (brief), large group & small group interactive discussions. Informal Zoom atmosphere. We will ask that all participants keep their camera on during the entire program, to promote good involvement and interaction.
To register, send an email to CODPNetwork@gmail.com by Monday,January 26 (free program). You will receive a Zoom link the week of the program.
