About Marv
Marv Weisbord is a distinguished organization development consultant, author, and co-founder of the Future Search method, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to large-group interventions and organizational diagnosis.
Who is Marv Weisbord?
Marv Weisbord (Marvin R. Weisbord) is a retired organization development (OD) consultant, author, and a co-founder of the globally recognized Future Search method. With a career spanning over 50 years, his influence extends through his extensive writing, consulting work, and teaching. Weisbord served as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN), contributing to graduate studies in Organizational Dynamics.
He is also a co-director of the Future Search Network, an international non-profit organization active in 35 countries. This network focuses on teaching large-group methods and facilitating planning meetings designed to bring diverse stakeholders together to envision and create a shared future. Weisbord's work emphasizes client-centered, democratic OD practices, making him a influential figure in the field.
Quick facts about Marv Weisbord
| | |:---|:---| | Role | Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Co-director, Author | | Company | University of Pennsylvania, Future Search Network | | Expertise | Organization Development, Future Search, Large-Group Methods, Organizational Diagnosis, Work Redesign | | Notable for | Co-founding Future Search method, Weisbord Six-Box Model, author of Productive Workplaces | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Marv Weisbord known for?
- Co-founder of the Future Search method: A globally recognized large-group intervention that brings diverse stakeholders together to create a shared future.
- Developer of the Weisbord Six-Box Model: A framework for organizational diagnosis that helps identify key areas for intervention.
- Pioneering self-managing multi-skilled workplaces: Influencing modern workplace design and productivity.
- Author of Productive Workplaces: Dignity, Meaning, and Community in the 21st Century: A seminal work chronicling the history of organizational improvement and its foundational concepts.
- Partner in Block Petrella Weisbord Inc., a prominent consulting firm where he spent 20 years.
- Prolific writer and thinker: His articles and books have shaped generations of OD practitioners.
What is Marv Weisbord's background and experience?
Marvin Weisbord embarked on his career transitioning from an executive vice president role in a business forms company to organization development consulting in 1968. He was a partner for two decades at Block Petrella Weisbord Inc. (formerly Block Petrella Associates), leading its Organization Research & Development division. In this capacity, he provided consulting services to a diverse range of clients, including corporations, medical centers, and government agencies.
His academic and professional affiliations include being a member of the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, where he taught organizational diagnosis, consultation skills, and team building. He was also a member of the European Institute for Transnational Studies and the International Association of Applied Social Scientists. For six years, Weisbord served as an associate editor of The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science.
Inspired by Kurt Lewin's "action research," Weisbord views it not merely as a technical change methodology but as a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing organizational challenges. He emphasizes drawing upon both personal and collective experiences as primary drivers of change. Although no specific degrees or certifications are detailed in available sources, his extensive career and scholarly contributions underscore his profound expertise.
What topics does Marv Weisbord speak and write about?
Marv Weisbord's work and writings concentrate on organization development (OD), focusing on critical aspects such as reorganization, strategic planning, goal setting, and work redesign within large systems. He is a recognized authority on large-group methods, particularly the Future Search process, which he co-founded. His contributions highlight the importance of involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders to achieve effective and sustainable organizational change.
His influential multi-edition book, Productive Workplaces: Dignity, Meaning, and Community in the 21st Century, delves into the history of organizational improvement and the evolution of its core concepts. Weisbord also explores how these ideas have shaped his personal and professional journey, illustrating with case studies. His writings champion client-centered and democratic OD practices, reflecting his commitment to fostering dignified and meaningful work environments.
How does Marv Weisbord contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
Marv Weisbord is recognized as an Expert Faculty member of the Best Practice Institute (BPI). His work profoundly influences BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness. While he has retired from active consulting, his foundational models, such as the Weisbord Six-Box Model, and methodologies like Future Search, continue to be vital resources for BPI members and the broader Most Loved Workplace® community. His insights help BPI advance understanding of how organizations can foster productive, engaging, and community-driven workplaces, aligning with the principles of the SPARK Model and the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI).
Where can you learn more from Marv Weisbord?
You can explore Marv Weisbord's enduring contributions through his archived articles on the Best Practice Institute blog, including "My Life on the Learning Curve." Further details on his publications and the Future Search method can be found through the Future Search Network and various academic resources that cite his extensive work in organization development.