Scenario: Other Problem

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

The team is focusing on a problem in another division that they have no influence over.

Tags: Action Learning Coach, WIAL Action Learning

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Comments (9)

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    Carol Kam

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    Action Learning best uses on problem that meeting the 4 key criteria [Real, Urgent, Important, Team have some control on the problem]. In this case I will intervene and ask questions such as what do the team want to achieve for this session? And or do a quick health check with the team to see whether they are in right track in terms of solving problem and learning by asking team is action learning the best approach for this problem? Why it is and why not? What will be the impact? Let the team to reflect.

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    Cheryl Orr

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    When I read the situation I immediately thought of the 4 key criteria for the problem, especially importance to the team that tasked with solving the problem. If this is the initial session and the problem presenter shares this as the problem, I would then give the team the opportunity to ask questions. After a round of questioning, when the team writes their understanding of the problem, I would check for agreement. At this point, there may be a quite different understanding of the problem. If agreement is not reached during this session, I may ask “What are your next steps?” The group may need to get additional information from the sponsor or other individuals to gain clarity of the problem.

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    Popsy Kanagaratnam

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    Time for an intervention. I would ask the team how they’re doing as a group, what they’re doing well, what they could do better, and whether we have agreement on the problem. After they write down the problem – I’d listen to how close they are and ask if anything strikes them about the problem definitions they are hearing.

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    Genalee

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    I would ask the team how close are they to solving their problem statement on a scale of 1 to 10. If the team feels that they are close to solving the problem, I would next ask the team if they are able to come up with the actions plans in the next 15-20 minutes. If they do not think they are close to solving the problem, I would ask them to reflect and why.

    As a coach I do not evaluate or place any judgement on whether the team is focusing on a problem another division that they have no influence over because firstly, the topic might be related somehow. Or it could seem that they have no influence on the surface but they might be able to generate actions plans that could solve the problem they have agreed initially. My stand would be to let it flow unless it gets out of topic totally.

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    DrBea

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    When asking the team to write down the problem I would use words like –

    Please write down the real problem that this team can take action on.

    Hopefully, this would bring them back to focusing on what is within their control or influence.

    Happy Coaching
    Bea

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    Eduardo S Rodela Ph D

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    Remind the work of the problem presenters statement of the problem and how the group has been doing on clarifying that challenge. Have them refocus on this challenge and ask how they have been doing as a group with regard to clarifying the original problem statement.

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    Ina Sugiarto

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    Coach asks team “What was the real problem already clear?”

    If yes, “Is there any connection between real problem with the discussion focus this time?”

    If no, “should we continue to the real problem first?”

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    Carla Nogueira

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    It would remind the group of the criteria for choosing a problem:
    – actual, current, and unresolved
    – important and urgent
    – complexity (highest power)
    – implementation of actions should be feasible (accessed and implemented).
    Depending on the answer, you could ask the group how this problem affects them. And perhaps they have an opportunity to bring up a problem that could be focused on the A.L. session.

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