Scenario: Relocating
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation:
The team decides it is too beautiful inside to stay indoors and opts to move outside to a picnic table.
Tags: Action Leaning, Action Learning, Action Learning Coach, WIAL, WIAL Action Learning, WIAL Talk
Trackback from your site.
Comments (9)
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Susan Schneider
| #
Assuming that the team truly had consensus, I would adapt, and move the session outside. I would verify that all team members knew where the picnic table was located, and the time we would reconvene. When we had assembled outside, I’d remind the team that the ground rules still applied, including my managing the time, reflecting on the session and their use of leadership skills. I would refocus the group by reminding them about asking questions of each other. If the group had specific difficulties, such as asking closed questions, I would briefly address that as well.
Reply
Rachel Wang
| #
As Coach, I will first check with the whole team if everyone agrees this suggestion. If No, I will invite comments from each individual and then check with the team whether they still want to move outside. If it is confirmed as a team agreement, I will ask the team the benefits and potential negative impacts, and re-align with the team on their decision.
Reply
Dina Guo
| #
I think inside and outside are both OK for action learning. But the key point is that we could not forget the important elements of action learning including of PP, leadership and questions. At the same time, the action learning rules should also be obeyed. As a coach, I would advise every member these rules above before we move outside.
Reply
Jonathan Tice
| #
As an action learning coach I have absolutely no issue if the team decides they would like to conduct the action learning session outdoors. However, all team members would have to agree to the decision and there is nothing outside that may deter from learning I would move the session outside. Potential issues with holding the session outside would likely be in two different areas. First, there might be a higher chance of distraction with the group being exposed to weather, temperature, or other people. Secondly, an outside location likely will not have the same privacy as an inside location. Therefore, both of these elements would have to be considered before the decision was made to move outdoors.
In any location the team decides to meet there must be a consensus to the decision and no element of disruption or distraction from the effectiveness of the group to learn and work.
Reply
Valerie Erana
| #
Assuming this was after the orientation, I would ask the team if everyone was in agreement to move to the picnic tables outdoors and let them know if there was any impact on the time. If there was consensus, I would move to the picnic tables.
I would then remind the team of the 2 ground rules and ask the problem presenter to share his/her problem. in 2-3 minutes.
Reply
Anna Gabryjelska
| #
I would observe the group and see if there is concensus about this decision and if there is a consensus I would adapt to the group and observe if this change has any influence on the quality of their work, if they can hear each other, if they are still focused on the problem, if all the group members feel comfortable with the change and if I noice anything that the group might learn from I would share my observation and ask what they think about it, I would make space for different opinions, and ask if they as a group want to do anything that comes from their greater awareness about what is going.
Reply
David RECORD
| #
As the Coach, I would no issue at all with this decision, as long as it was the agreement of the whole team and I felt that the environment outside was still conducive to work.
From a practical point of view, I would ensure that if the Action Learning group was operating to a set time (say a 90 minute session) that we paused the clock whilst we moved outside so as not to lose time.
Having moved outside if the environment didn’t work, for whatever reason, I would ask if they wanted to move inside. I don’t really see that this is different between moving between rooms!
Reply
Catie Harrison
| #
Assuming everyone was in consensus, I’m game. I would ask a couple of questions such as “What is the impact on this team and our process by moving outside? How do we want to make it happen?” The intent is to help the group think through the impact of the change and make any adjustments necessary to keep the process flowing. For example, are we using a dry erase board or chart paper in the room? How would we transfer that information outside?
Reply
May Ling Siow
| #
As a coach, I would ask if everyone is in agreement with this decision. If it is consented, I would continue to ask on the impacts of the shift on the team in terms of facilities, the ability to hear each other and how would this distruption can impact the on-going discussion.
When the team is outside, I would ask the problem presenter to take 2 minutes to read his/her problem to refresh everyone’s memory.
Reply