Scenario: Bathroom Break
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation: The session has been going for a long stretch and participants start stepping out to use the bathroom.
Scenario: Too Much Information
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation: The team in a single problem action learning set asks questions to the sponsor (the boss). In addition to answering the question, the sponsor talks about the context, history, options, ideas for solutions, etc., etc. As coach, you’ve asked the boss – “what […]
Scenario: The Race is On
I would ask the problem presenter if they agree that what the team is saying is actually the problem. I would then ask that the group focus during the next segment on asking questions related to that problem. I would give them a decent amount of time so that they don’t rush, and by asking […]
Scenario: Repetitive Questions
Time for an intervention! If the team is going around in circles, the questions they have been asking aren’t getting answered to anyone’s satisfaction. I would ask the team what they think they are doing well and what needs improvement, and I would myself answer the latter (after they have had a chance) by saying […]
Scenario: Action Assistance
This poses an interesting problem. This shows me that the group’s suggested actions were not clear enough, and the group needs to come back together again to further refine and clarify the actions. I would call a quick session for the group to do this — maybe 45 minutes. We would start with the actions […]
Scenario: Refusal to Participate
One of the keys to Action Learning is the diversity of thought that the group brings to problem-solving. If one person does not want to participate, I would first try to talk to this person individually and find out why, and see if, as a coach, I can find a way to help this person […]
Scenario: Building Questions
This shows me the group is working really well together. I would let them work for a few minutes longer, and then intervene, asking them what they think the group is doing well and what the group can work on. This would allow them to focus on their building questions, followed by a clear look […]
Scenario: Refusal to Participate
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation: A member of the team does not want to participate.
Scenario: Building Questions
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation: The participants have asked some very powerful questions and are clearly building on each others questions.
Scenario: Action Assistance
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation: After the actions are defined the problem presenter asks for help implementing them.