Scenario: Side conversations(2024)

As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation: As you are opening the session and reinforcing the ground rules, two participants start chatting with each other (they’ve been in many session and already know the rules).

Tags: Action Learning, ActionLearning Coach, Team Coach, WIAL, WIAL Action Learning, WIAL Talk

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Comments (5)

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    Phuong Dao

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    I would pause for a while (say for 30 seconds) and wait to see if they stop chatting. Then if they still keep talking, I would say to the team: “Hello team, I am observing that X and Y (names of those who are chatting) are having something to discuss with each other. I would like you all to get consensus how we will move on and comply with the session ground rules. I give you 2 minutes to discuss and come back with the solution”.

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    Katarzyna Toczek

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    Since the group is already familiar with the principles of action learning, it is not surprising to me that their attention gets distracted when they hear the same principles once again, so I would engage the group in this part of the session.

    I would ask those chatting group members to remind us of the rules. For example this way:
    “You already know the ground rules for working in action learning process. , please remind us of the first rule.”
    .
    “Thank you. , can you tell us about the second principle?”

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    MICHAL MAKOWSKI

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    I would politely interrupt the conversation without being confrontational. I might say something like, “I understand you both are experienced participants and know the ground rules, but I’d appreciate it if we could all focus for a moment while I go over the guidelines. It will help set the tone for the session.” This approach acknowledges their experience while reinforcing the importance of the moment.

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    Jan-Joost Oostenbrink

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    I would take a step by step approach, to empower the team to take accountability
    – First I would give it 30 seconds, to see if anyone from the group would intervene (taking group learning accountability or perhaps even act upon one of their chosen leadership skills
    – If no-one intervenes I would either
    A) See if we could bring the focus back by asking “Could anyone remind us of the ground rules?” or
    B) intervene with an observation “Dear team I’m observing that person A and B chatting with each other while we are kicking off today. What is the effect of this to us working together?

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    Srisakul Thunwuthikul

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    As it is an openning session and they have been familiar with the process, I will turn the opening session to be 2-way communication by asking those team members to answer the questions. For example, asking them to answer the importance of the 2 ground rules of the action learning session and how to apply it.

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