This presentation explores the realities of practising organisational development (OD) in complex environments where the ideal conditions for change are not yet in place. While organisational psychology frameworks often assume alignment, resourcing, and readiness, many practitioners operate in contexts characterised by competing priorities, limited resources, evolving systems, and varying levels of stakeholder buy-in.

The aim of this session is to bridge the gap between theory and practice by sharing practical strategies for influencing and delivering OD outcomes in these conditions. Drawing on experience across government, higher education, emergency services, and not-for-profit sectors, this presentation highlights common challenges faced by practitioners, including resource constraints, resistance, and low organisational readiness.

The session explores what does not work in these contexts, before focusing on practical approaches that support traction and impact. These include building credibility through incremental wins, leveraging psychometric tools to understand stakeholder thinking styles, aligning initiatives to organisational priorities, and using informal influence to progress work in the absence of resources or formal authority.

The goal of this presentation is to provide attendees with practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be immediately applied, and to reframe what effective OD practice looks like in real-world settings where adaptability, influence, and pragmatism are critical.