~ By Renate Harris, ODA member
Thanks to Dawn Jarvis for leading an engaging ODA session. The topic, Use of Self, explored how our biases can impact our effectiveness as OD practitioners. Dawn created a safe space for discussion, encouraging participants to take a closer look at their own values and biases and consider how these shape the way we show up in our work. At the heart of the session was the idea of being intentional about how we bring our whole selves into the room—alongside our skills and expertise.
A key focus was exploring those moments where something triggers a reaction in us, often before we’ve had time to think. Dawn unpacked why this happens, from natural brain shortcuts to the influence of our experiences and conditioning. Through reflection and discussion, we explored what these reactions can look like in practice and how they can impact our work with clients and teams. The session encouraged us to pause, notice what’s happening internally, and make more conscious choices about how we respond.
Importantly, the conversation didn’t stop at awareness—it highlighted practical ways to strengthen our “use of self,” including leading with curiosity, creating space for others to do more of the work, and building regular reflection into our practice. Overall, it was a thoughtful and engaging session that reinforced a simple yet powerful idea: our effectiveness isn’t just about what we do, but how we do it—through our presence, authenticity and self-awareness.