Get up to speed on terminology with an organizational consultant glossary

Organizational development consulting firms all use the same basic vocabulary, so turning to an industry-specific glossary will introduce you to all the major terms, such as "deskilling," or simplifying a job and the skills needed to complete it, and "groupthink," which refers to the way a cohesive group may cling to shared views and ignore evidence that contradicts these views. Once you're comfortable with those terms, turn to glossaries that apply to specific approaches.

I recommend: Both Palgrave and San Juan College provide a comprehensive glossary that can help ensure that you and your OD consultant are speaking the same language. For a glossary that presents more specialized language, see Distinctionary.

Seek out OD consulting websites to understand tools and methods

Sometimes, just understanding the term itself isn't enough. You need to know how the organization development consultant will use a specific tool or method. For example, change management refers to the process of directing an organization's restructuring, but it can be implemented in many different ways, depending on the philosophy of the OD consulting firm's philosophy. Likewise, broad terms like "assessment" sound clear, but there are hundreds of ways assessments can be handled.

I recommend: At Toolpack Consulting, click through a list of tools and techniques to better understand the full meaning of each term. You can also get a better understanding of techniques at Integrated Organization Development.

Read blogs to understand organizational development consultants key terms in context

Blogs addressing OD consulting services are a great way to understand key terms in context, giving you more insight into the industry. In blogs, you'll come to understand that even in a term so straightforward as "coach," there are nuances -- as a coach may be hired to help correct employee problems or to motivate an already stellar employee. In addition to understanding key terms, you'll also keep up with the latest organizational consultant trends.

I recommend: Gain familiarity of the terminology that organization development consultants use at the Aspen Organization Development blog. Though the Organization Development Blog is no longer active, browse its archives to better understand many key terms and phrases of the industry.