By Scott Beard, Organization Development and Knowledge Management Class of 2025/Cohort 28, Director of Communication and Knowledge Management at Merjent, Inc., and Founder at Beard Consulting, LLC..
I didn’t come to the Organization Development and Knowledge Management (ODKM) program at George Mason University because I had everything figured out; I came because I didn’t. Like many mid-career professionals, I had grown increasingly aware of how fast the world of work was changing. Hybrid teams, cross-cultural complexity, knowledge loss from retirements, and shifting expectations around leadership were pressing challenges, and I wanted to do more than just keep up. I wanted to help shape what comes next.
The ODKM program promised exactly what I was seeking: an integrated approach to improving how organizations learn, lead, and grow. What I found was more than just a master’s degree. I found a community, a mindset, and a new way of seeing the world.
From Systems to Self: Expanding My View
One of the first concepts that shifted my approach was (systems thinking). Instead of viewing problems in isolation, I began to see organizations as complex, living systems, each part influencing and shaped by the others. This perspective changed how I approached consulting engagements. I no longer rushed to solve symptoms; I started looking for patterns, feedback loops, and underlying structures.
That systems mindset deepened through our work with organizational analysis tools and diagnostic models. I applied these immediately in my consulting work, using stakeholder maps and organizational assessments to uncover hidden tensions and identify leverage points. I started designing interventions with a clearer understanding of how to change ripples through people and processes.
At the same time, I began looking inward. Concepts like emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and appreciative intelligence weren’t just academic theories; they were practices we lived and capabilities we built. Through peer coaching, reflection assignments, and honest conversations, I became more attuned to my own leadership presence. I learned how to listen better. How to slow down. How to hold space for others. That self-work has made me a more grounded coach and a more resilient leader.
Learning to Lead Conversations That Matter
One of the biggest takeaways from the ODKM program is that change doesn’t begin with a strategic plan; it begins with a conversation. Whether it was a visioning exercise, a risk assessment, or a facilitated team session, I learned how to create space for people to share what really matters.
I remember one facilitation workshop where we explored the art of asking generative questions, turning our emotionally charged “whys” into powerful “what's.” That day reshaped how I coach and lead. I stopped focusing on giving advice and started leaning into curiosity. Questions like, “What gives you energy at work?” or “What’s the story beneath the resistance?” have helped me unlock insights that PowerPoint never could.
Coaching as a Catalyst for Growth
What began as a class on coaching quickly became a personal calling. I’ve always been drawn to helping others grow, but the ODKM program gave me a framework and confidence to do it well. Through structured practice and reflection, I honed my ability to be present, to listen deeply, and to trust the process.
I’ve since coached emerging leaders navigating imposter syndrome, senior leaders making complex decisions, and peers wrestling with purpose. Each conversation is different, but the goal is the same: to help people access their own wisdom and take meaningful action.
The program helped me integrate coaching into everything I do, whether it’s building a performance management system, facilitating a strategic planning meeting, or supporting a colleague in transition. Coaching is no longer just a role I play; it’s a core part of my identity.
Bridging Knowledge and Culture
One of the most unique aspects of the ODKM program is its focus on knowledge management, not just as a technology solution, but as a human process. In a world where people retire, projects shift, and information is scattered across platforms, capturing and sharing knowledge has become essential.
The real breakthrough came when I realized that knowledge management and organizational development aren’t separate. They’re two sides of the same coin. One without the other is incomplete. By combining them, we support both the flow of information and the growth of people. That’s where real transformation begins.
A Learning Community That Walks the Talk
The ODKM program is as much about the people as it is the curriculum. My cohort became a source of support, challenge, and inspiration. We brought different industries, identities, and experiences to the table, and we learned just as much from each other as we did from our professors.
This wasn’t a program where you could hide behind the theory. We practiced what we preached. We co-designed sessions, gave each other feedback, and reflected publicly on our growth. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it was always real. That authenticity prepared me to step into complex, ambiguous environments with greater confidence.
A Final Word for the Curious
If you're reading this because you're wondering whether ODKM is right for you, here’s what I’ll say: This program won’t hand you easy answers. But it will give you the tools, relationships, and insight to ask better questions, the kind that leads to real change.
Whether you’re drawn to leadership development, knowledge sharing, coaching, or organizational transformation, this program meets you where you are and helps you grow into who you’re becoming.
In a working world that often feels fragmented, the ODKM program helps you weave things back together, with wisdom, with heart, and with purpose.
About the Author
Scott is a coach, facilitator, and leadership development consultant who helps experts grow into confident, people-centered leaders. With a background in executive leadership, knowledge management, operations, organizational development, and risk assessment, he’s spent his career navigating complexity and supporting others who do the same.
Outside of work, he’s a lifelong learner who finds joy in curiosity. He recharges through music, volleyball, and the occasional round of golf, but the roles he cherishes most are at home. His wife and girls keep him grounded, inspired, and constantly reminded of what truly matters.