Peter B. Vaili: A life in the art of managing and leading change

Abstract

Peter B. Vaili is both pioneer and thought leader in the fields of organizational behavior (OB) and organization development (OD). Over the past 60 years, Peter's ideas have influenced and informed numerous strands of thinking in the fields of management, leadership, and change. The common thread among these streams of thought: The relationship between organizational practice, theory, and learning. This chapter offers readers a glimpse into the career and work of Peter Vaill. Through several interviews with Peter, others who worked with him, and close readings of his writing, in this chapter we explore the themes and thinking that shaped Vaill's contributions to the field of change.