About William
Who is William Rothwell?
Dr. William J. Rothwell is a globally recognized authority in the fields of succession planning, talent development, and organizational effectiveness. He serves as President of Rothwell and Associates, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to succession planning and human resource development. Additionally, he is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Learning and Performance Systems at The Pennsylvania State University, where he coordinates the online Master of Professional Studies in Organization Development and Change. His extensive career spans over four decades, combining academic leadership with practical consulting experience for high-profile multinational corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations across more than 35 nations.
What is William Rothwell known for?
Dr. Rothwell is best known for his pioneering contributions to the field of succession planning. His seminal work, Effective Succession Planning, is widely cited globally and has significantly advanced the practice of inclusive succession planning. He is also a key figure in talent development, having co-created the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) certification. His expertise extends to competency-based HR management, organization development (OD), instructional design, workplace learning, and leadership development. He champions the application of the 70-20-10 learning model and deliberate practice to accelerate talent development within organizations.
His impact is further evidenced by his prolific authorship, with over 100 books authored, co-authored, or edited, and more than 300 articles and book chapters. Notable publications include Mastering the Instructional Design Process and Competency-Based Human Resource Management. His sustained contributions to the field have earned him prestigious accolades, including the ATD Distinguished Contribution Award in 2012 and the Penn State Graduate Faculty Teaching Award in 2004. He was also inducted into the OU Outreach Hall of Fame for his significant advancements in training and development.
What is William Rothwell's background and experience?
Dr. Rothwell holds a Ph.D., and his professional credentials include SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and CPLP Fellow certifications, underscoring his deep expertise in human resources and learning. He began his career with 20 years of full-time experience as a training director in both government and business sectors. In 1993, he transitioned to academia, joining The Pennsylvania State University, where he has since led a top-ranked graduate program in workforce education and development.
Throughout his career, Dr. Rothwell has provided consulting services to a diverse range of clients, including over 50 multinational corporations such as Motorola, General Motors, and Ford, as well as governmental agencies, non-profits like AARP, and healthcare organizations like Cleveland Clinic. His extensive practical experience enriches his academic work and research, ensuring his methodologies and insights are grounded in real-world application.
What topics does William Rothwell speak and write about?
Dr. Rothwell's comprehensive body of work addresses critical issues in human resource development and organizational effectiveness. His key topics include advanced succession planning strategies, talent management, competency modeling, organization development interventions, and impactful instructional design. He explores how organizations can accelerate talent development through structured approaches and effective learning methodologies. He has also written extensively on leadership development, workplace learning, and strategies for improving organizational culture and employee engagement.
His recent books published between 2020 and 2021 include Organization Development Interventions, Virtual Coaching to Improve Group Relationships, Adult Learning Basics, 2nd ed., The Essential HR Guide for Small Business and Start Ups, and Increasing Learning and Development’s Impact Through Accreditation. He has also co-authored works on improving workplace culture, enhancing learner engagement in online environments, and embracing expansive diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) approaches.
How does William Rothwell contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
Dr. William Rothwell has been a valued contributor to the Best Practice Institute (BPI), sharing his profound knowledge through several expert webinars. He has presented on critical topics such as "Succession Planning in Difficult Times," offering guidance on maintaining and adapting succession strategies during economic challenges. He has also led discussions on "Moving Beyond Management Succession Planning to Technical Succession Planning," distinguishing various forms of succession planning and their strategic implications.
Further demonstrating his commitment to advancing best practices, Dr. Rothwell has conducted webinars comparing organizational succession planning programs to leading industry standards, based on his extensive research. He has also addressed "Accelerated Talent Management: Utilizing Whole System Transformation Methodology," highlighting how to build the necessary infrastructure for effective talent programs. These contributions provide BPI's audience with practical, research-backed strategies for enhancing organizational talent and leadership pipelines.