The Strategic Bond Between Organisational Development and HR: Driving Success
Written by Sarah Harrison – Business Development Director.
I’ve been back with New Dawn for a year now, and it’s been a busy one. One thing is clear: the New Dawn team plays multiple roles in supporting our clients. From my perspective, it has become increasingly evident that our interactions are evolving into organisational development (OD) partnerships alongside the Human Resources (HR) function.
So, what is organisational development and why should organisations embrace it as a tool for growth, resilience and sustainability?
While companies use organisational development strategies to pursue a variety of goals, there are a few objectives that are common to almost all OD initiatives.
For many organisations OD is misunderstood and at times is regarded as a mysterious science that results in lots of talking and not much action. OD is key to supporting organisations of all sizes growing, evolving and therefore remaining competitive and resilient.
True organisational growth isn’t just about strategy and numbers however—it’s about people. This is where the synergy between Organisational Development (OD) and Human Resources (HR) plays a crucial role.
The link between Organisational Development (OD) and Human Resources (HR) lies in their shared goal of enhancing the effectiveness, performance, and overall health of an organisation. While both OD and HR have distinct functions, they often work closely together to ensure that people and the organisation as a whole thrive. Here’s how they are connected:
- OD focuses on improving the overall functioning of the organisation, including its culture, structure, leadership, and communication. It aims to align the people and the organisational systems to achieve strategic goals.
- HR is typically responsible for managing the workforce, including recruitment, training, performance management, benefits, and compliance.
In simple terms OD works to optimise the systems and culture within an organisation, while HR focuses on managing people, allowing them to thrive. Both are crucial for an organisation’s long-term health and performance.
Growth and change are not easy processes for any organisation to go through and there are bumps in the road of any organisation’s development. Things do not go to plan; external forces impact organisations plans and people; their wellbeing and performance are affected. OD and HR are powerful allies to have.
When OD and HR work together, organisations experience:
- Stronger Workforce Alignment – HR ensures the right people are in the right roles, while OD fine-tunes the structure and culture to maximise their potential.
- Enhanced Employee Engagement – Organisational change is more effective when employees feel valued and supported through HR-driven initiatives like leadership development and recognition programs.
- Improved Change Management – HR facilitates smooth transitions by supporting employees during organisational shifts, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making – Combining HR analytics with OD strategies enables organisations to measure the impact of initiatives and make informed decisions.
At New Dawn Resources, we understand the delicate balance between OD and HR. We offer expert guidance to help businesses seamlessly integrate HR strategies with organisational development goals. We truly believe that it is a partnership with the organisations that we work with and that partnership strengthens all levels of the organisation and supports their people to thrive. We assist you to make the right decisions for your organisation and your people and help organisations to implement those plans.
HR and Organisational Development are not separate entities, but two sides of the same coin. When harmonised, they create a thriving workplace that drives business success. If your organisation is ready to take the next step in aligning people, culture, and strategy, New Dawn Resources can help.
Other services that we can provide include:
- HR Consultancy & Compliance – Ensuring businesses operate within legal frameworks while fostering a positive work environment.
- Leadership & Culture Development – Helping businesses build strong leaders and create a workplace culture that drives success.
- Training & Employee Development – Equipping teams with the skills they need to excel in a rapidly changing business landscape.
- Change Management & Strategic Planning – Supporting organisations through transformation with practical and people-centric solutions.