Worthy of Commitment introduces the concept of Living Organisation Development (OD) as a pathway for creating workplaces grounded in the wisdom of living systems found in nature — places that are productive, deeply human and regenerative. Drawing on their practice spanning over the past two-and-a-half decades, this book illuminates the principles of Living OD in action to unlock flourishing organisations. It seeks to answer a fundamental question: What does an organisation truly worthy of people's commitment look like, and how can we create one? It invites the readers to become active agents in creating organisations, communities and nations that are life-centric. Within these pages, you will discover inspiring ideas and actionable insights on how to apply these principles and practices to enable positive change at any scale.
Jacqueline Wong is Managing Director and founder of Sequoia Group, an Organisation Development (OD) consultancy specialising in the fields of Leadership Development, Strategy, Organisational Learning and Positive Change. Sequoia's mission is to create organisations that are truly worthy of people's commitment.
She is an optimist about the power of organisations to transform and enable human flourishing. She is a visionary who inspires people to reach for the stars and never settle for being just good enough. An artist at heart, she views life as a large unfinished canvas and it is up to us to make the best of it. She is a process consultant, facilitator, coach and teacher with over 25 years of experience in the field of Organisation Development. A strong advocate for national development, with a specific interest in the youth, she has also partnered with schools and youth leadership development programmes to share the benefits of early leadership training and positive education. She has partnered with over 200 organisations and several national-level movements to help support the building of flourishing institutions, businesses and communities.
Jacqueline holds a Master of Science in Positive Organization Development (MPOD) with the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University and she is also an International Advisory Board member of the
Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner's Journal. She contributes actively in organisational development communities as a speaker, facilitator and resource person. Her work spans across Singapore, Cambodia, China/Hong Kong, India, the United States, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and Singapore.
Tan Shang How is the Chief Executive of Sequoia Group and Executive Director of Sustainability Institute. An engineer by training, he believes in the power of tools to help unlock people's imagination, innovation and creative potential. He is the business strategist behind the firm and co-created many of Sequoia's frameworks. His passion is to help create workplaces that are purposeful, forward looking and people-focused.
He has consulted for both the public and private sector in organisation, business and people development. He has helped to strengthen the reputation and presence of Sequoia Group as a "Small Giant" in the Leadership and Organisation Development Consultancy landscape. A strategist and futures thinker, Shang enjoys helping organisations and individuals discover their core purpose and potential. Inspired and hopeful about the growth of developing countries, Shang also spearheads Sequoia's expansion in Southeast Asia and beyond.
He is a servant leader at heart and always chooses to see the best in people, believing everyone deserves an opportunity to learn, grow and contribute meaningfully. He has participated as a volunteer of a national-level Feedback taskforce with an agenda to improve Primary School Education in Singapore and is now an active board member of Westwood Primary School. With an astute interest in the sports, he loves swimming, golf and a good game of soccer with his son.
Shang graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronics) and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Regina Vanda is a Senior Consultant who leads the Research and Publications in Sequoia Group. She is committed to building ecosystems of care, courage and compassion where every individual leads by finding a niche that supports the health of the whole. She firmly believes that flourishing communities and organisations can nurture individuals to realise their deepest purpose. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of living systems, she is passionate about ecological regeneration and community building.
Working with organisations and communities, her research focus includes leadership development, organisational strategy and transformation, corporate purpose, innovation, and sustainability. Participatory action research, strategic community engagement, qualitative and quantitative data collection, ethnography and appreciative inquiry are common methodologies in her research. She is a regular contributor to the annual Global Appreciative Inquiry (Ai) Jam and the
Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner's Journal.
Regina has designed and facilitated workshops and programmes in leadership development, community building and stakeholder engagement for more than 300 youths, initiated conversation on transboundary environmental issues across Southeast Asia and built capacities for impactful action through servant leadership.
She graduated with a Bachelor in Environmental Studies (Hons) from Yale-NUS College with a minor in Anthropology.
