Scenario: Problem or Puzzle

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.

Tags: Action Leaning, Action Learning Coach, WIAL, WIAL Action Learning, WIAL Talk

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Comments (3)

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    Steve Morgan

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    As a preventative to a scenario like this, I first would have prepared the problem presenter and worked with him/her on presenting a problem that he actually “owned”; that was a relevant urgent problem for him personally and he had personal knowledge of the problem. If this just came up without prior preparation, “Is this a problem that you and this team has some influence and control?” Then ask, “Can I suggest that you choose a different problem that you could work together as a team to actually solve and influence the outcome?” For example, what might be an issue in your own culture that you would like to tackle?”

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    Wim van Wieren

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    As the objective of AL is the quality of questioning related to the quality of answers it would probably lead to learning of the group that they cannot help the problem presentor with actions suggestions leading to a poor or impossible action planning they take ownership on. I would ask the presenter and group if they think otherwise and suggest to invite the influencer of the problem or take another problem they can take ownership on.

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    Weranuch Wongwatanakul

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    First, I should let the group aware that the problem presented might outside of what they can take actions to make changes. For example, I would ask the whole group to take 2 minutes to writing down no more than 3 key points from information they have heard. When they are done, I’ll ask them to read only the key point that relevant to their roles or scope that they can making changes. When they read it out, ask someone to right down those key points. Second, I would tell the group that it is important for them, as they are here together, to focus on a context that PP and team can make changes. Third, I’ll ask PP to present about the problem again and team members to prepare for their questions.

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