On June 28, 2009, Jack Welch, head of Jack Welch, LLC, and former Chairman and CEO of GE, impressed a crowd of approximately 10,000 human resources professionals during the opening session of the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) 61st Annual Conference and Exposition. Welch seeks to elevate human resources professionals to the top levels of decision-making in the organization and expects much involvement and contribution by those individuals.

We believe Welch’s comments bring organizational development into the toolbox of human resources professionals. The HR department may still plan the picnic, but they now must plan strategically. They may administer insurance for employees, but they also need to monitor the overall health of the organizational culture. Organizations will be seeking human resources professionals with more skills that are willing to take on more responsibility. Professional development in organizational development is vital. As Jack Welch responded to Dr. Dana Law when interviewed regarding increasing the strategic role of organizational development within organizations, “Go for it.”

Additional information about Jack Welch can be found by visiting www.welchway.com. For information about the Society for Human Resources Management, please visit www.shrm.org.