Describe the benefits of attending Organizational Dynamics at Penn.

From my first course in Organizational Culture Change with Professor Virginia Vanderslice, to my outstanding experiences in classes with the late Professor Eric van Merkensteijn, to the great experience of working on the Flight 93 Memorial with Professor Alan Barstow, it really opened my mind. Professor John Eldred helped me learn to master power and politics instead of run from it. The people I had the chance to meet in class were great, and we all shared a common goal to unlock the mysteries of organizations that we truly cared about.

How did O.D. change the way you view the world?

Well, this was an area where I was completely surprised. I had three career changes while participating in the Program! Each was driven by something I was learning about myself in the Program. Today, I am running my own consulting practice and traveling around the world helping software companies adopt practices which have improved the industry and the lives of the people in it. I teach courses and coach teams in applying these techniques. Had it not been for the Program, I would probably never have been so happy in my career. On the personal front, doing what I love has reduced my stress levels dramatically and increased my income, which has made life a whole lot more enjoyable. Oddly, even with my travel, I have learned to spend quality time at home.

What catalyst prompted you to attain further education through Organizational Dynamics at Penn.

I was leading a transition at Primavera Systems as the Vice President of Development. We needed to change our development process and our culture, due to many problems, including product quality, personnel health issues related to stress, and, of course, frustrated customers. I discovered the importance of my role as a leader and my need to study intently ways in which to successfully lead 120+ people through a major change. My peer in HR at Primavera, Joanne McCool, suggested that I look at the MSOD Program at Penn. She had graduated from the Program and thought it would be of interest to me. Once enrolled, I would literally stay up until 2:00 a.m. studying and then try to apply what I learned every work day. I loved it! I found out just how powerful this new knowledge was and decided that this was where I wanted to spent my time pursuing an advanced degee.

Editor's note: Bob is always happy to reminisce about his experiences in Organizational Dynamics. You can reach him by email at bobschatz@yahoo.com.