During the Single Problem Action Learning session, the coach reminds all team members a few times that they have to think about the actions they will commit to at the end of the session, in preparation for the follow up session. When the coach asks for the actions at the end of the session, several people have listed the same or nearly identical action. How would you react as coach ?
As I may not have deep familiarity with the core business of this group, I would ask first “How will the selection of similar or identicle actions support the progress of your work?” Depending on responses, I may follow with “How would the group like to address that similar or identical actions are being selected?”
As Action Learning Coach I am used to ask the problem presenter which actions will be taken. If it is a problem team presenter and that happens I believe this is a team problem to be solved. I would ask the team: How will the team work as a team having actions to be taken nearly identical? They surely will find a solution.
I’ve observed multiple people will be working on the same action – Did anyone else notice that?
Presumably, the answer would be yes.
So I would follow that with – What’s the impact of multiple people taking the same action?
And finally, How do we want to handle it?
I will ask the team “How well ( on a scale from 1-10) the same or nearly identical actions will help solve the problem ? ” , “What do you learn from the situation”? as I think these two questions will provide opportunity for the team to reflect and think whether various kinds of action are required or not. Then I will follow with a final question “How will we handle it ?”
I will ask the team “How well (on a scale from 1-10) the same or nearly identical actions will help solve the problem?”, “How do you learn from the situation ?” . I think these two questions will provide opportunity for the team to reflect and think whether other kinds of action are required or not. Then I will follow by a final question ” How will we handle it ?”
This is an interesting situation and I will like to see the team’s opinion, reaction to it and if there is any learning or insights to be had.
Possible questions that may be useful are:
1. Awareness – “what does the team think about the quality of the actions that will be taken?”
2. Sense making / checking assumptions – “how will this set of actions be helpful for the team?”
3. Choice – “what would the team like to do?”
As a coach, I have to be careful not to cast doubt or challenge simply for the sake of challenging the team or being perceived as intentionally to be the devils’ advocate. This may have its benefit but not necessary to be viewed as sensitive and sensible at times.
Having the same actions does not have to be good nor bad.
The most important thing to create learning is what are the assumptions going behind each of the members to have arrived at the same action.
As a coach, I would simply share my observation, and say, “hi team, i have observed that several of you have come out with similar actions. Would each of you like to share with the team how do you derive at this action as opposed from your other options of actions?”
“In what way is this action important to you compared to other possible actions?”
“What does the rest of the team learn from their assumptions?”
“What synergy do you see from your other possible actions?”
In this way, I do not “judge” on the similarities nor differences of their action being good or bad, I will leave it to them to discover the synergies of existing actions and other possible and optional actions.
As a coach, I can say:I’ve observed the most team member will be working on the same action – Did anyone else notice that? What’s the impact of multiple people taking the same action?
And finally, How do we want to handle it?
Pam Houghton
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As I may not have deep familiarity with the core business of this group, I would ask first “How will the selection of similar or identicle actions support the progress of your work?” Depending on responses, I may follow with “How would the group like to address that similar or identical actions are being selected?”
Reply
Cleo Wolff
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As Action Learning Coach I am used to ask the problem presenter which actions will be taken. If it is a problem team presenter and that happens I believe this is a team problem to be solved. I would ask the team: How will the team work as a team having actions to be taken nearly identical? They surely will find a solution.
Reply
DrBea
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I would use the “I’ve observed” approach.
I’ve observed multiple people will be working on the same action – Did anyone else notice that?
Presumably, the answer would be yes.
So I would follow that with – What’s the impact of multiple people taking the same action?
And finally, How do we want to handle it?
Happy Coaching
Bea
Reply
Tammy Liu
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I will ask the team “How well ( on a scale from 1-10) the same or nearly identical actions will help solve the problem ? ” , “What do you learn from the situation”? as I think these two questions will provide opportunity for the team to reflect and think whether various kinds of action are required or not. Then I will follow with a final question “How will we handle it ?”
Reply
Tammy Liu
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I will ask the team “How well (on a scale from 1-10) the same or nearly identical actions will help solve the problem?”, “How do you learn from the situation ?” . I think these two questions will provide opportunity for the team to reflect and think whether other kinds of action are required or not. Then I will follow by a final question ” How will we handle it ?”
Reply
jeffo
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This is an interesting situation and I will like to see the team’s opinion, reaction to it and if there is any learning or insights to be had.
Possible questions that may be useful are:
1. Awareness – “what does the team think about the quality of the actions that will be taken?”
2. Sense making / checking assumptions – “how will this set of actions be helpful for the team?”
3. Choice – “what would the team like to do?”
Reply
ChauChyiTai
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As a coach, I have to be careful not to cast doubt or challenge simply for the sake of challenging the team or being perceived as intentionally to be the devils’ advocate. This may have its benefit but not necessary to be viewed as sensitive and sensible at times.
Having the same actions does not have to be good nor bad.
The most important thing to create learning is what are the assumptions going behind each of the members to have arrived at the same action.
As a coach, I would simply share my observation, and say, “hi team, i have observed that several of you have come out with similar actions. Would each of you like to share with the team how do you derive at this action as opposed from your other options of actions?”
“In what way is this action important to you compared to other possible actions?”
“What does the rest of the team learn from their assumptions?”
“What synergy do you see from your other possible actions?”
In this way, I do not “judge” on the similarities nor differences of their action being good or bad, I will leave it to them to discover the synergies of existing actions and other possible and optional actions.
Reply
Chenglong
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As a coach, I can say:I’ve observed the most team member will be working on the same action – Did anyone else notice that? What’s the impact of multiple people taking the same action?
And finally, How do we want to handle it?
Reply