Ethical dilemmas are an inherent part of organizational development (OD) consulting, challenging practitioners to balance their professional integrity with client demands. The case of Kindred Todd, a fresh OD graduate who landed her first consulting job with a small firm in Edmonton, Alberta, underscores the complexities and ethical challenges that consultants often face.
Background and Initial Challenges
Kindred Todd was enthusiastic about her new role at a growing consulting firm led by Larry Stepchuck, an experienced executive with a robust network of contacts. Todd was soon assigned to a significant client, a small oil and gas company, to help them with long-range planning and continuous quality improvement (CQI). However, she quickly realized that her employer had oversold her expertise in CQI to the client, creating an immediate ethical dilemma.
During her initial meeting with the client’s senior management team, Todd was bombarded with technical questions about CQI. This unexpected situation left her feeling stunned and overwhelmed, as she had not been adequately prepared for such inquiries. Her immediate response was to steer the conversation towards understanding the organization’s history and long-term goals, effectively buying time to address her knowledge gap without compromising her integrity.
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas
Upon realizing the extent of the misrepresentation, Todd reported her concerns to Stepchuck, requesting the assignment of a more experienced consultant to the project. Stepchuck dismissed her concerns, emphasizing the importance of satisfying the client’s buzzword-driven demands and implying that Todd’s job security depended on her compliance. This response placed Todd in a difficult position, forcing her to weigh her professional values against her immediate career prospects.
Determined to handle the situation ethically, Todd devised a strategy to equip herself with the necessary knowledge. She spent two days at the library studying total quality management (TQM) and CQI, and reached out to friends and former classmates with experience in quality-improvement efforts. Additionally, she hired a “shadow” consultant to work with her behind the scenes, ensuring she could deliver an effective intervention for the client.
Resolution and Outcomes
Thanks to her proactive measures and support from her shadow consultant, Todd was able to facilitate a successful intervention. However, the experience highlighted the importance of honesty, competence, and professional ethics in consulting. Shortly after completing the project, Todd resigned from the consulting firm, choosing to uphold her values over staying in a compromising work environment.
Key Ethical Considerations in OD
Todd’s experience reflects several ethical issues common in OD practice, including misrepresentation, value conflicts, and technical ineptness. Misrepresentation occurs when consultants oversell their capabilities, leading to potential harm for both the client and the consultant. Value conflicts arise when client demands clash with the consultant’s professional values, requiring careful navigation to maintain integrity. Technical ineptness refers to implementing interventions without the necessary skills or readiness, which can undermine the effectiveness of OD efforts.
Conclusion
The case of Kindred Todd illustrates the critical role of ethics in OD consulting. It emphasizes the need for consultants to maintain honesty, seek necessary expertise, and prioritize their professional values even in challenging circumstances. These principles are essential for building trust and delivering effective, sustainable change in organizations.
Organizational Development Services
At OrgEvo Consulting, we prioritize ethical practices and professional integrity in all our OD interventions. Our team is committed to continuous learning and upholding the highest standards of consulting excellence. Contact us to learn how we can support your organization with ethical, effective change management solutions.
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