Clowning Around
As an Action Learning Coach how would you handle the following situation: One team member begins to make fun of one point the group is discussing. Initially, this is creative and brings happiness to the group. Then this joking is repeated sequentially among team members … a competition emerges to come up with the most […]
Outlining the problem in a SPAL
When working with a client on a business problem through action learning, I ask the sponsor or problem owner to answer a number of questions, in writing, before the first session starts. I have created a one page form with the following questions: Describe the problem … describing context, history and some basic data, key […]
Everybody takes the same action …
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 […]
Deliberate Distraction
What do you do as a coach when a team member asks a question which is obviously in no way related to the problem presented? I.e. the team is working on an organisational culture problem and the next question is “Does anyone in the group have a preference for where we have lunch?”
Sponsor answers questions … and doesn’t stop talking !
The team in a single problem action learning set asks questions to the sponsor (the boss), and in addition to just answering the question, the sponsor talks about the context, history, options, ideas for solutions … and this even when the question asked was a closed one … Even if the team members become aware […]
Scenario: Problem or Puzzle
As an Action Learning Coach how would you handle the following situation: The problem presented is – I need to upgrade the operating system on my computers
Scenario: Out of Control
As an Action Learning Coach how would you handle the following situation: The problem presented is outside the control or influence of the problem presenter and the team. For instance: A consultants presents about an organization he does not consult for – Organization A has a culture of fear.
Scenario: Problem Shift
As an Action Learning Coach how would you handle the following situation: The team is shifting in their understanding of the true nature of the problem. For instance the original problem is presented as “How should we restructure the organization for efficiency?” and they are shifting to “The communication between team members has eroded to […]
Scenario: Uninvited Guest
As an Action Learning Coach how would you handle the following situation: An animal – bird, monkey, or other – enters the room through an open window.
Scenario: Powerful Question
As an Action Learning Coach how would you handle the following situation: Someone asks a question that changes the depth and understanding of the true nature of the problem.