Becoming professional: the practice of capacity development : Essential Readings

  • A professional field in formation?

    In this closing chapter of Capacity Development in Practice (Earthscan, 2010), Jan Ubels, Alan Fowler and Naa-Aku Acquaye-Baddoo reflect on some of the open-ended questions raised across the Volume that can help advance much-needed debate on the future of capacity development.

  • The role of practitioners' behaviour in facilitating change

    Just like truly exceptional teachers, nurses, and other professionals, exceptional CD practitioners demonstrate behaviours, practices, skills and ways of being that are aligned and authentic. What separates them from competent practitioners is that they have access to the deeper layers of who they are.  The May 2010 issue of Capacity.org journal explored the role that the capacity development professional's personal behaviour and attitudes plays in change relationships. 

  • Schein, E.H. (1998) Process consultation revisited: Building the helping relationship, Prentice Hall Organizational Development Series, Addison-Wesley

    Framed against a simple introduction to systems thinking, Schein explains what he refers to as 'core disciplines': the concepts of personal mastery and mental models needed for effective learning and change facilitation. This seminal work offers practitioners many different angles from which to critically reflect on their own practice. NB: this book is not available for download, but may be purchased via the link above.