[Ailist] OD job descriptions Bring back the Court Jester role

Sun May 18 15:55:22 MDT 2008

That sounds like the role played by a regimental chaplain in the army.  The chaplain, or padre report directly to the commanding officer and can move about a regiment speaking with people of all ranks to sort out the stuff that does not get sorted out through the strick positioning (Harre) that is forced by the military system.  The navy took this one step further, as navy chaplains do not wear any rank badges, although they are attributed the status of commissioned officers.  I do not know if they ranklessness is maintained in the contemporary navies of the world.

I have always found the chaplain to be entertaining, but hardly not a court jester.  They play a very serious business of sorting out issues before they become problems.

In the former Soviet army each unit had a political officer (I cannot recall the title), but no chaplain.  While that role may have seemed to be a parallel to the chaplain, the politial officer played a different sort of role; from what I recall it would not be considered to be AI "compliant".

Lionel Boxer CD PhD MBA BTech(IndEng) - 0411267256
Associate of RMIT University - lionel.boxer at rmit.edu.au
Graduate School of Business
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>>> Franki Briers <weegingermonkey at hotmail.com> 19/05/08 7:01 AM >>>

I love this line of thought!  I want a job as a court jester!

In some companies a workplace Chaplain can fulfill a similar role.  As well as offering pastoral care, connecting likeminded people, supporting spiritual growth for employees etc. I have come across the odd instance where they also give quarterly reports to the MD or Management team on 'state of the company.'  But, because they don't sit within the hierarchical structure there is a fair degree of freedom for what can be offered in here.  Also taking ownership of encouraging corporate responsibility and ethical mindset in the company.  Other 'old-school' examples of this might be the 'Heyokah' of certain First Nation American tribes.  These were medicine men who embodied the Trickster and as such it was their responsibility to play the mirror for the whole tribe and banish illusions.  They were also (like the jester0 the only person allowed to ridicule the chief.  There are stories of Heyokah riding into battle sitting on their horse backwards exposing the ridiculousness in even the most serious situations.

There is also a more cross cultural role of the Shaman's healing role including taking responsibility for "Speaking the Unspeakable" as a healing act socially within the tribe.

Thanks for the inspiration injection ladies and gents.

Francis Briers 
soon to be Interfaith Minister, Trainer, and Neophyte AI Initiate!  > From: fairgo at ozemail.com.au> To: nick at nickheap.co.uk; allison at conteandco.com; ailist at lists.business.utah.edu> Subject: RE: [Ailist] OD job descriptions Bring back the Court Jester role> Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 17:08:47 +1000> CC: > > > It is my understanding that in the old English Courts there was an OD> Consultant and that his role was similar to this description (of Nick's> "free spirit").> > He was called the Court Jester.> > The position was abolished in a wave of reform (efficiency etc.) and we have> all suffered as a result.> > Just think about it - someone on the inside whose job it is - to puncture> the vanities and inflated egos that get us into so much trouble because they> rule and prevail unchecked.> > Cheers> > John Loty> Appreciative Inquiry Advocate> Sydney, Australia> > > -----Original Message-----> From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu> [mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Nick Heap> Sent: Thursday, 15 May 2008 2:06 AM> To: Allison Conte; Appreciative Inquiry> Subject: RE: [Ailist] OD job descriptions> > Dear Alison,> > The real job of an OD consultant is to be a "free spirit" inside the> organisation. When I was an internal many years ago, this was the role I> took though it was not the one that was written down! When people asked me> what I did I said, "Whatever I can get away with that is likely to be> helpful" You could expand this by adding. "The job is to be a change agent> and catalyst, to listen to people and teams, to link people, to encourage> new thinking and facilitate conversations towards win-win solutions. You> will gain access to people because of your personal skills, reputation for> trustworthiness and honesty, your humour and your compassion." Anything else> might be too constraining as the role is about change and will inevitably> change too.> > Does this make sense?> > Best wishes> > Nick> > Web: www.nickheap.co.uk> > -----Original Message-----> From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu> [mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu]On Behalf Of Allison> Conte> Sent: 13 May 2008 15:22> To: odnet-mindfulness at lists.odnetwork.org; MPOD-MOD;> > Cc: Chris Bamford; Argerie Vasilakes> Subject: [Ailist] OD job descriptions> > > Hi everyone, a fellow grad from the MPOD program at Case is looking to> create the ideal job description for himself as Director of> Organization Development and Change at an international international> social entrepreneurship organization. Do you have any outstanding> examples to pass along?> > Thank you> Allison Conte> conte & company consulting> (440) 423-4745> _______________________________________________> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles> School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list> administrator. For subscription information, go to:> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist> > > _______________________________________________> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles> School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list> administrator. For subscription information, go to:> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist> > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1433 - Release Date: 14/05/2008> 4:44 PM> > _______________________________________________> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list administrator. For subscription information, go to:> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist
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