Action Learning : An Experiential Tool for Solving Organizational Issues

1. Action Learning: An Experiential Tool forSolving Organizational Issues Sharon Kinsey Rutgers Cooperative Extension CYFAR Conference May 20, 2009

2. The Origins of Action Learning Reginald Revans (1907-2003) “The Father of Action Learning” He studied under Lord Rutherford and JJ Thomas, fathers of nuclear physics. Physicist who worked at Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, England in the 1930s He also worked with Albert Einstein who told him: “If you think you understand a problem, make sure you are not deceiving yourself.”

3. The Father of Action Learning Revans - Director of Education, National Coal Board Developed Action Learning in 1940s

4. Action Learning Defined: A process whereby REAL people solving and taking action on REAL problems in REAL time. REAL Time = Whitewater

5. Action Learning: (L) = P + Q L = Learning P = Programmed (traditional) Knowledge Q = Questioning to create insight Focuses on experiential reflection as a major learning tool

6. At its core: Insightful Questioning ????? Reflective Listening

7. Characteristics of Action Learning Calls for us to challenge our assumptions and perceptions Must participate in a state of “not knowing” This uncertainty often breeds fear but it can also breed creativity It is better to look to the future than to look to the past

8. Action Learning Assumes • Workplace communities, not experts, can find solutions to organizational issues • The collective knowledge of learners, not a book, is the critical resource for learning and leading • Learning at work, not an intangible theory, can generate the necessary knowledge to solve problems • Learning is facilitated through action

9. Typical Results: Breakthrough Insights Solutions Effective Strategies

10. Quotes from Revans “Action learning has been born out of the speed with which the world is changing.” (1979) “….action learning may be one means of concentrating attention on the questions dying to be asked.” (1982) “We are trying to encourage managers to discover how they can pose fresh questions in conditions of ignorance, risk and confusion; first to design a new course of action; second to implement the course of action.” (1984)

11. Examples of Action Learning: • Fairfax County Public Schools have worked in Action Learning teams to explore how to handle and supervise ineffective teachers; how to make disciplinary decisions; and how to deal with angry, demanding parents. • The National Semiconductors and AT&T worked together to analyze delivery misses; create critical device lists and develop pre-alert reports.

12. Elements of Action Learning • A Problem • The Team • A Process of Insightful Questioning and Reflective Listening • Taking Action on the Problem • A Commitment to Learning • The Coach

13. Elements of Action Learning The Team - 4-8 people – the team brings a variety of perspectives and offers fresh and innovative viewpoints.

14. Elements of Action Learning A Problem - (project, challenge, opportunity, issue or task) Action Learning centers around a task or challenge – the resolution of which is of high importance to an individual, team or organization. The problem should be significant, urgent and be the responsibility of the team to solve.

15. Elements of Action Learning A Process of Insightful Questioning and Reflective Listening – Action Learning emphasizes questions and reflection above statements and opinions. By focusing on the right questions rather than the right answers, Action Learning focuses on what one doesn’t know, as well as what one does know.

16. Elements of Action Learning Insightful Questioning – “The effective leader of the future will consistently ask – to receive advice and to solicit new ideas.” Marshall Goldsmith, expert management coach Examples: The Titanic, The Space Shuttle Challenger

17. Elements of Action Learning What Constitutes a Good Question?? • Will cause the person to focus and to stretch • Create deep reflection • Challenge those taken for granted assumptions • Lead to breakthrough thinking • Enable people to better view the situation

18. Elements of Action Learning Some Effective Questions?? • What is a viable alternative? • What are the advantages and disadvantages you see? • How would you describe the current reality? • What will you commit to do?

19. Elements of Action Learning Taking Action on the Problem - Members of the team must have the power to take action themselves or be assured their recommendations will be heard and possibly acted upon. This builds ownership in the process.

20. Elements of Action Learning A Commitment to Learning - Action Learning places equal emphasis on the learning and development of individuals and on the team as it does on solving the problem.

21. Elements of Action Learning • The Coach - One member of the group serves as the Action Learning coach and devotes his or her efforts toward helping the group learn. This person identifies opportunities that enable the group to improve its problem solving and strategy-creation capacity. Through a series of questions, the coach enables group members to: • Reflect on how they are listening • How they can better frame a problem • How they give each other feedback

22. Action Learning Sets Ground Rules • One person owns a problem/issue and shares this with the team. • Team members reflect on the issue. • Team members ask questions of the owner of the problem. • The owner responds with a statement to the question. • The coach watches over the process and may intervene from time to time to evaluate the process.

23. Processing Action Learning • All in all, think about the power of questions – about how leaders can use questions as a benefit. • Some of the questions you may also go away with: • 1) How can I use my experiences and skills to initiate change? • 2) Improve personal relationships to help drive change? • 3) How do I become a learning leader? Using: • The skills I have to lead • The wisdom to learn • The ability to teach others

24. Writings by Reginald Revans ABC of Action Learning (The Mike Pedler Library)by Reginald Revans (Paperback - Aug 31, 1998) Action Learning by Reginald W. Revans (Hardcover - Jun 30, 1980) Developing Effective Managers; a New Approach to Business Education by reginald revans (Hardcover - Jan 1, 1971) Revans Center Global http://www.revanscenter.com/About.html

25. More Recent Literature on Action Learning Action Learning for Developing Leaders and Organizations: Principles, Strategies, and Cases by Michael J. Marquardt, H. Skipton Leonard, Arthur M. Freedman, and Claudia C. Hill (Hardcover - Mar 15, 2009) Optimizing the Power of Action Learning: Solving Problems and Building Leaders in Real Time by Michael J. Marquardt (Hardcover - Mar 25, 2004) Action Learning in Action: Transforming Problems and People for World-Class Organizational Learning by Michael J. Marquardt (Hardcover - Feb 25, 1999) Action Learning: How the World's Top Companies are Re-Creating Their Leaders and Themselves (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) by David L. Dotlich and James L. Noel (Hardcover - April 16, 1998)

26. Thank you for your time and attention Speaker Contact Information: Sharon Kinsey Rutgers Cooperative Extension Rutgers University Camden County 4-H Agent 152 Ohio Avenue, Clementon, NJ 08021 856-566-2908 kinsey@aesop.rutgers.edu Help Grow Your Organization