I can understand all the monkey motion shift linkages. I've seen many of them, some work and some don't.
Overdrives are no more difficult to drive than any other transmission. Probably the same person that cobbled the shift linkage set up the OD. I have not taken mine out of OD in the last 15 years. You just drive it and it does it's thing.
Some get creative and are pulling or pushing the cable, flipping a toggle switch in and out and performing various other
un-needed contortions.
The best way is to set it up as the factory intended for it to be operated.
Fred

1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine