Do OD Capability Model
Introduction
Our NHS OD Community has created a new model
to help practitioners build capability. The model is
offered as a tool for reflection and self-assessment,
giving you the opportunity to identify your
strengths and areas that you’d like to work on.
The model has two paths: head and heart. Choose whichever
one attracts you and work through the model in any order.
Each word in the model is designed to stimulate thinking
about how you currently act and where you might make
changes. At the end of each section you’ll be asked to rate
yourself on that particular word.
At the end of the document is a summary sheet for you to
record your ratings and see the overall picture of your
capability at the moment. There’s space for you to identify
action that you’ll take based on the results. Your results can
be used as a benchmark, showing progress when you take
action on specific areas. Repeat the process in six months
time to see what has changed.
We encourage you to create some time for yourself to reflect as
you work through the model. Use it to start conversations
with your team, your mentor, coach and colleagues. Share
insights and ideas with the wider community and connect
with Do OD.
Where will you begin? Where will it take you?
Your Journey – Head
Purpose
 Clarity
 Coherence
 Impact
Practice
 Confidence
 Competence
 Identity
Presence
 Profile
 Positioning
 Power
Clarity
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does clarity mean to me?
2. Why is clarity important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. How do I create clarity for myself and others in this work?
4. Where could I be more clear?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Sharpness, Vision, Lucidity, Ambiguity, Articulation, Acquity,
Consensus, Understanding, Focus, Clean, Exact, Accurate, Purity,
Certainty, Salient
Coherence
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does coherence mean to me?
2. Why is coherence important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. Are my OD interventions coherent with the organisation’s
goals?
4. How can I create stronger connections across a wider
system?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Consistent, Unified, Sound, Connects, Solidarity, Logical, Ordered,
Joined, Aligned, Rational, Congruent, Adherent, Orderly, Whole,
Together
Impact
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does impact mean to me?
2. Why is impact important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. What difference do I make?
4. Are there new or different ways I could measure my
impact?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Effect, Influence, Difference, Impression, Footprint, Ripples,
Perceptions, Consequences, Reflection, Return, Payoff, Results,
Significance, Weight, Force
Confidence
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does confidence mean to me?
2. Why is confidence important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. When do I feel at my most confident?
4. In what situations can I practice being more confident?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Assurance, Mettle, Nerve, Fortitude, Belief, Abilities, Certainty, Fearless,
Bold, Courageous, Spirit, Intrepid, Sure, Determined, Pluck
Competence
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does competence mean to me?
2. Why is competence important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. What data do I use that helps me know what I’m good at?
4. How might I stretch into an area where I want to build
competence?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Ability, Effectiveness, Prowess, Proficiency, Expertise, Skill, Talent,
Knowledge, Behaviours, Expertise, Fitness, Moxie, Suitability, Savvy,
Enabled
Identity
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does identity mean to me?
2. Why is identity important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. How do I show up?
4. How could I more effectively help people understand what
I do?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Character, Self, Uniqueness, Distinctiveness, Original, Culture, Values,
Experience, Upbringing, Tribe, Profession, Status, Integrity, Definition,
Identification
Profile
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does profile mean to me?
2. Why is profile important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. What facets of my self contribute to my success?
4. What profile do I want?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Characteristics, Outline, Noticed, Form, Biography, Portfolio,
Caricature, Appearance, Presentation, Status, Articulation,
Embodiment, History, Model, Description
Positioning
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does positioning mean to me?
2. Why is positioning important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. Is my approach the right fit for what the organisation
needs?
4. Where could I be and how might I get there?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Locate, Situate, Deploy, Map, Stand, Open, Placement, Align, Sighted,
Category, Function, Stationed, Group, Arrange, Unfold
Power
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does power mean to me?
2. Why is power important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. Where does my strength come from?
4. Are there ways I could use my power more effectively?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Control, Faculty, Hierarchy, Force, Responsibility, Strength, Autonomy,
Dominion, Influence, Potential, Efficacy, Able, Clout, Privilege,
Command
Your Journey – Heart
 Passion
 Instrumentality
 Values
Passion
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does passion mean to me?
2. Why is passion important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. Where do I feel most joy in my work?
4. What can I do to remove energy blockages?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Desire, Relish, Vigour, Appetite, Eagerness, Fire, Energy,
Determination, Commitment , Heat, Dedication, Drive, Attachment,
Avidity, Love
Instrumentality
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does instrumentality mean to me?
2. Why is instrumentality important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. Who am I and why do I do what I do?
4. How could I increase the range of ways I practice self-care?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Self, Agency, Intuition, Reflexivity, Medium, Approach, Channel,
Insight, Shadow, Discovery, Refining, Owning, Fluidity
Values
Ask yourself or consider…
(make notes in the boxes below)
1. What does values mean to me?
2. Why are values important to me / my team / my
organisation?
3. What are the three core values that absolutely define who
I am?
4. How can I effectively work with my shadow self when my
values are compromised?
Where you think you are for this section?
Needs
Strengthening It’s
okayIt’s a strength
Some words to provide inspiration…
Beliefs, Standards, Character, Convictions, Ontology, Viewpoint,
Principles, Attitude, Core, Ethics, Doctrine, Ideals, Outlook, Ideology,
Mindset
Summary
Purpose
Needs
It’s ok
It’s a strength
It’s ok
It’s a strength
It’s ok
It’s a strength
It’s ok
It’s a strength
strengthening
Clarity
Coherence
Impact
Practice
Needs
strengthening
Confidence
Competence
Identity
Practice
Needs
strengthening
Profile
Positioning
Power
Needs
strengthening
Instrumentality
Values
Passion
My strengths are…
I want to do some work on my…
The action I will take is…
The help I will need includes…
Completed on (add date)
Repeat in six months time (add date)
Additional information
Do OD is the expert resource on organisational development for the
NHS delivered by NHS Employers in partnership with the NHS
Leadership Academy.
Our goal is to improve patient experience, quality & safety by enabling
people to transform systems. Our work is underpinned by the principle
of co-production, creativity, curiosity and courage.
Do OD brings NHS OD practitioners together, helping them to connect,
share, learn and grow. As a community we have developed new tools,
resources and spaces to connect.
Our resources include:

The Do OD App, including the OD culture change tool, Space to
Think cards and OD capability assesment tool.

Tools and information to help you evaluate your OD
interventions.

Articles, guidance and advice on culture change

The OD Swap Shop is your opportunity to ask for support from
colleagues across the NHS and offer your own wisdom in return.

Our library includes blogs by thought leaders like Mee-Yan
Cheung-Judge, Michael West and many more.

We have a series of podcasts, The DoODcast featuring interviews
with OD practitioners, experts and academics.
We create opportunities for learning and connection including our
annual OD in the NHS conference, events like ‘Working in Complex
Contexts’ and ‘Putting Theory into Practice’ as well as virtual spaces
like Think Club and our monthly community conversation.
Keep in touch
Want more information? Email us at [email protected]
You can sign up for our regular newsletter ‘PeriODical’ by emailing us
your details.
Join the conversation on Twitter - follow us @NHSE_DoOD
Be part of the NHS OD Community in our LinkedIn OD Group
You can find out more about Do OD by visiting
www.nhsemployers.org/OD