CHAPTER FOUR USE OF SELF IN OD CONSULTING: WHAT MATTERS IS PRESENCE

Use of self and presence in organization development (OD) consulting are ex-plored in this chapter. Even though the two concepts are often used inter-changeably, an important distinction is made. Presence is represented as an extension and higher-order use of self. The field of psychotherapy serves as the context for tracing the epistemological assumptions that support use of self. The aim is to create a better understanding of presence by defining it, explaining its significance, and sharing insights on how to cultivate and sustain it. In particular, the notion that presence can be calibrated is discussed using a construct known as the “Perceived Weirdness Index ” (Hanafin, 1976). Shifting the Paradigm Sigmund Freud paved the way for much of what is done today in psychology, psy-chiatry, therapy, and other areas of behavioral science, on the basis of what he did or else did not do. It is known that Freud would sit behind his clients in therap