Scenario: Phone rings(2024)
Tags: Action Learning, ActionLearning Coach, Team Coach, WIAL, WIAL Action Learning, WIAL Talk
Trackback from your site.
Comments (17)
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Tags: Action Learning, ActionLearning Coach, Team Coach, WIAL, WIAL Action Learning, WIAL Talk
Trackback from your site.
John Chang
| #
I will step in once the current question or answer has been stated. I would pose a question to the team: “Has anyone observed any shifts within our team?”
Subsequently, I would inquire about their preferred approach to this particular event. Depending on their feedback, I would highlight the significance of a team member’s absence and the challenge of information disparity. For instance, I might ask: “What kind of problems would it cause for our upcoming decisions and action plans if he/she did not receive the information from our current questions/answers?”
Finally, I will have the team to decide on the best way to communicate with the returning member. And the decision should include how team members will handle the situation when the phone rings in the future.
Reply
Manassawee Manavid
| #
I will step in and ask team with SID:
Situation: “Team, I noticed that during our session, John’s phone rang and he stepped out to answer it.”
Impact: “What is the impact of this?”
Decision: “Team, what are your decision?”
Reply
Ratchanee Teerawanitsan
| #
I would intervene by asking them to be aware of the situation (SID): “Has anyone noticed that someone in the group is missing?” and then “What will happen to the team if we continue without this team member?” and next “What will we do next to maximize team effectiveness?”. I would let the Team make decision themselves. However, I would have them create a plan to prevent this from happening again.
Reply
Eric Cruz
| #
I would intervene with an S-I-D, starting off with:
“Team, I noticed that a team member has left. Has anyone noticed that too?”
Followed by, “What do you is the impact if we continue without this team member?”
Then, close the intervention with “What is the decision of the group?”
Reply
MICHAL MAKOWSKI
| #
During the next available opportunity, I would ask the group to reflect on the importance of maintaining focus during sessions and the impact distractions might have on the group’s progress.
Reply
Jia Yiing Chung
| #
I will intervene once I see an opportunity and proceed to use SID and ask the team
1. “So team, has anyone noticed anything happened in the room?”
2. “What kind of impact would this bring to the team?”
3. “What would the team like to do?”
Reply
Elodie Schwartz
| #
I would wait until the person comes back and intervene by saying: I observe that a participant has left the room during the session and ask what is the impact of this on the group?
And ask the group ow do they wish to handle this if it happens again ? And finally I will ask a participant to quickly summarize what happened during his absence before we start again.
Reply
Ha Tran
| #
This is my answer for this scenario as below:
As an Action Learning Coach, I would like to use Alternate Sequence model in this scenario (What, So What, Now What).
I will signal to check in for intervention and say “Hello team, I have observed a team member has phone rings and leave the group to answer it. Has anyone else observed this? (What). This question help everyone to know about this.
Then I continue with the question: “What is the impact of this on the team? (So What)
Everyone is aware of the impact of this. I would ask questions to help the group improve: “What can we do to improve?” (Now What). After the group give solutions for this scenario, I will check out and invite the group ask question together.
Reply
Anna Solak
| #
Firstly at the beginning of the session I would have a discussion with the group how we want to handle potential situations like someone’s phone ringing etc. As there may be various situations in life, we can hear from some team members that they are expecting an important phone. If the team agrees on that, I would ignore the situation. If during the introductory part no one is raising that they are expecting an important phone call, the session runs without this kind of interruptions. If, despite the agreement of no phones allowed, someone would answer the phone, I would use a coach intervention asking what impact one person missing has on the team? and what they want to do/ agree on for the future?
Reply
Melissa Davis
| #
When my sessions are in a virtual or in-person setting, after I explain the first two ground rules and inform the group that the rest is up to the group to decide, I leave it open for the group to decide on further ground rules, including confidentiality (what is said in the group stays in the group) and distractions (checking email/chats, texting, phones, etc.). That should set the expectations for the session. However, if the group member leaves to answer the phone, I will let the group know I noticed a group member has left. I would follow up with additional questions: How this will impact the learning process? and what the group would like to do next?
Reply
Barbara Bruska
| #
The answer is: it depends.
If the group earlier agreed what to do in such situation and the leaving person follow this rule, I would note down and later reflect/appreciate that the group follows the rules
If the leaving person broke agreed earlier rule or the group did not have such rule I would make an intervantion (at the first possible moment) like I’ve observed that X person left us after their phone ring. Has anyone else noticed this?, then asked about influcence on the team, how we would like to cope with such situation.
Reply
Wenyue He
| #
（When B leaves to take a call） Ask the remaining members, “What do you observe about our team dynamics at this moment?”
（When B returns） Say, “Welcome back, B. （To all） The recent interruption may have affected the continuity and depth of our discussion. What impacts do you notice?” （Possible responses: disrupted thought flow, need for repetition, distraction from waiting, B missed information, etc.）
“Thanks for your sharing. Indeed, such challenges can impact our efficiency and engagement. To better maintain our team’s discussion rhythm and everyone’s participation experience during possible future interruptions, what can we do?”
Reply
Pei chun Lin
| #
If there is no prior agreement, I would neutrally note what just happened and ask the group, “What impact did it have on our discussion when the team member left to answer a phone call?”, “How does the group want to handle it?”, “What agreements might help us in the future?” My goal is to support the group in self-reflection and co-creating ground rules to enhance collective learning.
Reply
Patcharasita Sakulwongsirichok
| #
• I would first address the situation with systems thinking by gently acknowledging the disruption and reminding the team of the importance of focus and respect for the group process. I would ask the team to reflect on how this action impacts the overall group dynamic and progress, encouraging an understanding of how individual behaviors affect the system as a whole. Then, I would inspire action by suggesting that in the future, we establish clearer agreements regarding minimizing distractions, such as silencing phones during sessions, and ask the team for their input on how to handle similar situations going forward. Finally, I would focus on development by framing this as a learning opportunity for the individual and the team, encouraging everyone to consider how they can contribute to a more focused and productive environment in future sessions.
Reply
KHAIRUNNISAK LATIFF
| #
I would ask the following questions:
1. “Team, what just happened?” – To create awareness of the behavior
2. “How did the event affect our team discussion and focus?” – To encourage the team to reflect on the consequences
3. “What would we like to do moving forward?” – To empower the team to decide on the next steps
Reply
Trang Nguyen
| #
As an action learning coach, I would ask the following questions:
o I noticed that one of our team members is on the phone and leaving the session. Is everyone observing the same thing as I am?
o What do we do next to ensure the team’s effectiveness?
Reply
Jeanne van der Meulen-Sloots
| #
During all sessions, the principle of open space applies. Participants are expected to be able to decide for themselves when to answer a phone call without asking permission, briefly leave the room, or take any other action they consider necessary. This is allowed as long as it does not disrupt the group or the process.
This principle is explicitly explained during the introduction of the sessions. Participants are also asked to ensure that their phones are set to silent mode, as sound can cause unnecessary distraction.
It is further communicated that when a consent round takes place and a participant is absent at that moment, the participant is deemed to have given consent to the decisions made in their absence.
Reply