Scenario: Changing Roles

As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation:

You have changed roles from participant to coach. One of the team members asks you a problem related question.

 

Tags: Action Learning Coach

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Comments (8)

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    [email protected]

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    Interesting !! It is not my role as a coach to participate in problem solving. I would take a short time out to adress roles in an action learning proces. If my expertise is crucial on this question probably I anwer the question. But only after a good talk about roles and a reflection on this intervention

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    Meredith Persily Lamel

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    I would thank the participant for being interested in my contribution and then review the role of the action learning coach. I would then return to the script with “who has the next question?” If, however, the team knows that the problem is within my area of expertise, then I might also offer myself as an additional resource that can be accessed outside of the problem solving time (in the same way that other “resources” can be accessed). If for example, one of the actions identified was to interview me about my views on the subject matter, I would be willing to participate in that interview.

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    John.Tattersall

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    One possible response to this would be to state that you would like to remind the group of the role of the coach i.e. that you as the coach will not directly be involved in solving the problem and that it is your role to focus on improving the performance of the group and to manage the process. I then ask the question again “does everyone understand my role?”
    Assuming everyone does, including the team member that asked me the question, then I would restate the time left that we had available to work on the problem and then ask the group would anyone like to answer the question on the table?

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    Elizabeth Tsai

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    I would first thank the person who asked me the problem related question and respond to the group that now my role is the AL coach whose focus is on the learning of the group. Then I proceed to ask the person: “Is there a member of the group that you could address your question to?” or “To whom would you like to ask the question?”

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    DrBea

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    As others have said – I would remind the team of my role and ask them what other resources they have to get the information.

    Happy Coaching
    Bea

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    Ivan Lam

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    I will not attempt to answer the question and flow it back to the team and ask, “What will be the team’s opinion on this question?” I will ask the team to understand that it is even more important to listen to the team’s opinion.

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    S7413957D

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    I will highlight to this individual that I am assuming the action learning coach during this session, and specifically I am responsible for the team’s performance and learning. My role is to intervene whenever I see learning opportunities, while the team members focus on solving the problem on hand.

    I will end off by asking this individual, “Who would you like to direct this question to?”

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    Porntip Jakwichtamrong

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    I would not answer the question. In turn, divert the attention back to the team by asking the participant who posted the question “Who in the team are you asking this question to?.

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