ACTION LEARNING
INTRODUCTION
Andrea Cole
Treasurer and Director of Social Media
World Institute for Action Learning
(WIAL)
acolellc@gmail.com
240.401.2673
What is Action Learning
• A process that involves a small team (“set”) working on real
problems, taking action, and learning while doing so
• A powerful management tool that creates dynamic
opportunities for individuals, teams, leaders and
organizations to successfully adapt, learn and innovate
Action -> Solution
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
Learning
1
WIAL Historic Roots
• Titanic
• Cambridge
Physicist
• Coal Mines
Reg Revans
Action Learning
UK
• Integration
• Six
components
• two ground
rules
Kurt Lewin
Action Research
USA
Trist &
Emery
Sociotechnica
l
Systems
Organizational
Learning
Systems Theory
GE Workout
Mike Marquardt
Integration of
approaches
WIAL Action Learning
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rights reserved
2
• NTL
• experiential
learning
• group
dynamics
• Argyris & Schön
• Organizational
Learning
• OD & Systems
Theory
• GE Workout
Program
Action Learning Worldwide
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Microsoft
Constellation Energy
Sodexho
Novartis
Siemens
Boeing
Caterpillar
Singapore Polytechnic
General Electric
DuPont
Samsung
American University
Organization of American States
National Institute for Neurological
Diseases and Stroke
Defense Intelligence Agency
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rights reserved
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NASA
First Bank Nigeria
United Airlines
Target
St Paul’s Church
PWC
Florida Power and Light
Defense Acquisition University
Department of Education
TAFE
Northrop Grumman
National Cancer Institute
HRINZ
Department of Commerce
Cambio
Two Ground Rules
Statements only in response to questions;
anyone can ask questions of anyone else
Action learning team coach has the authority to intervene
whenever he/she identifies learning opportunities
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rights reserved
4
Typical Problem Solving
vs
Action Learning
Band-aid Solutions
Powerful team
development
Experts Only
Enhanced Leadership
Co-Acting Groups
Breakthrough Solutions
Addresses Symptom
Diverse Teams
Group Forms, Storms,
Norms, Performs
Addresses Problem
Group Forms, Storms,
Norms, Performs
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rights reserved
5
Action Learning Process
• Problem / Challenge presentation (1-3 minutes)
• Two Ground Rules
– Statements can only be made in response to questions
– Coach works learning opportunities
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Consensus on problem, goal
Problem analysis
Strategies
Action plans
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rights reserved
6
Problem vs Puzzle
Problem Volunteer
Compelling challenge (work,
community, personal, …)
Problem…not a puzzle
You own it and are committed to take action
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rights reserved
7
Action Learning Problems
• Individual Leadership Challenge
– I can’t seem to motivate my staff
– The Board is not supporting my new initiative
– My boss refuses to prioritize our work program
• Corporate Challenge
– We have relatively few woman and minorities in leadership
positions
– How can I prevent the same incidents/accidents from occurring
at our 4 production sites?
– It takes forever to get people promoted...many are leaving to
get promotions
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rights reserved
8
Practice
Two Rules
6 Components

Real problem, challenge, or task
Group of 4-8 committed people
Use of reflective questioning & listening
Commitment & accountability for Action
Focus and commitment to Learning
Action Learning Coach
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Statements can only be made iin
response to questions
The Action Learning Coach has
the authority to intervene
whenever there’s the opportunity
for learning.
Action Learning Cycle
Problem Owner introduces
the Problem/Challenge
Tips for Quality Questions
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Open ended
Reflective
Probing
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Get Clarity on the Problem
Clarifying
Explorative
Analytical
Suggest Solutions
Problem Owner’s
Commitment to Action
Team Reflects on Learning
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rights reserved
9
6 Components
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Compon
ents
Reflective
Questionin
g and
Listening
Commitme
nt to
Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
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rights reserved
10
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Six
Components
Reflective
Questioning
and Listening
Commitment
to Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
11
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Six
Components
Reflective
Questioning
and Listening
Commitment
to Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
12
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
13
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Six
Components
Reflective
Questioning
and Listening
Commitment
to Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
14
The Power of Questions
• Cause us to focus and/or to stretch
• Create opportunities for deep reflection
• Challenge taken-for-granted assumptions that
prevent us from acting in new and forceful ways
• The most useful information often requires questions
that take courage to ask and are difficult to answer
• Lead to breakthrough thinking
• Contain the keys that open the door to great
solutions
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rights reserved
15
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Six
Components
Reflective
Questioning
and Listening
Commitment
to Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
16
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Six
Components
Reflective
Questioning
and Listening
Commitment
to Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
17
Challenge
Action
Learning
Coach
Group of
4-8
Six
Components
Reflective
Questioning
and Listening
Commitment
to Learning
Develop
Strategies
(Actions)
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
18
Solves
Complex
Problems
Enhances
Systems
Thinking
Develops
Leaders
Action
Learning
Benefits
Creates
Learning
Culture
Builds
Powerful
Teams
Continuous
Learning
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
19
Solves
Complex
Problems
Enhances
Systems
Thinking
Develops
Leaders
Action
Learning
Benefits
Creates
Learning
Culture
Builds
Powerful
Teams
Continuous
Learning
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
20
Leadership Competencies
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Interpersonal Skills
Team Building
Listening
Learning
Mentoring skills
Decisiveness
Innovation
Conflict management
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• Creativity and
Innovation
• Systems Thinking
• Integrity and Honesty
• Service and stewardship
• Visioning
• Ask great questions
• Provide support to
others
21
Solves
Complex
Problems
Enhances
Systems
Thinking
Develops
Leaders
Action
Learning
Benefits
Creates
Learning
Culture
Builds
Powerful
Teams
Continuous
Learning
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
22
Solves
Complex
Problems
Enhances
Systems
Thinking
Develops
Leaders
Action
Learning
Benefits
Creates
Learning
Culture
Builds
Powerful
Teams
Continuous
Learning
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
23
Solves
Complex
Problems
Enhances
Systems
Thinking
Develops
Leaders
Action
Learning
Benefits
Creates
Learning
Culture
Builds
Powerful
Teams
Continuous
Learning
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
24
Solves
Complex
Problems
Enhances
Systems
Thinking
Develops
Leaders
Action
Learning
Benefits
Creates
Learning
Culture
Builds
Powerful
Teams
Continuous
Learning
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
25
Thank you!
andreacole2010@gmail.com
Copyright 2012 WIAL All
rights reserved
26