Scenario: Nay Sayer

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

All of the team members agree on the problem and a possible solution, but the problem owner insists it won’t work.

 

Tags: Action Learning Coach

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Comments (7)

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    [email protected]

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    Depends on ‘the stadium’ definitive or ‘lets talk about it’. If it is definitive, the problemowner persists in his opinion, and he don’t agree on working on the chosen solution, we have another problem; trust. Obviously the problemowner uses his veto. We have to address that at that moment. If it is possible at that time or on a short notice after rethinking the solution and the situation by both parties. As the coach I would not intervene in the meantime. besides a question of the problemsolver or teammember.

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    Michele

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    Because as an action learning coach we have to guide thewhole group to a solution, IWill continue the session. If after a while there ‘s still no agreement I will help the group by asking to search deeper into the problem, because there may be a second problem who was not visible and who may be solve first to reach a solution in the first named problem

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    namrataa

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    I would throw this problem to the group and ask them ‘How would the group like to respond to or ask the group ‘What would it take for us to propose solutions that would work’?

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    krijn

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    I would ask the problem owner to explain why he think the possible solution won’t work. After that I would ask the group, including the problem owner, what would help them get to consensus.

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    Ivan Lam

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    I would ask the problem owner to answer, “How would you like the team to support you?” I will also ask the team, “What has just happened to the team?” “How could the team to support the problem owner better?” The coach should not give any judgemental opinion nor empower the problem owner to take control over the team’s decision. It is a good opporunity for the team to learn how to make a team decision supported by all members under this situation.

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    Jim Carter

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    I would intervene by asking everyone again what they believe the problem is. Second,, if there was agreement across the whole group and the problem presenter I would then ask the group how they might use the technique of AL to understand and help the probelme presenter now?

    This may actually begin a second phase of the session which now explores solving the problem that is the obstacle the moving forward. So, in this sense, the group may actually begin to tackle the real probelm that the problem presenter has.

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    DrBea

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    Excellent responses. Since the team needs to get to consensus I would ask the team what will help us most at this point so we can reach agreement?

    Happy Coaching
    Dr Bea

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