As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation:
Several participants are answering the questions extensively, including repetition, history, minute details and ancillary information.
As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation:
Several participants are answering the questions extensively, including repetition, history, minute details and ancillary information.
I would intervene by addressing the person who asked the question:
“What was your question?”
“Was your question answered?”
To the group: “Who has the next question?”
I will intervene, “Team, what do you really want to answer? What will it affect the team if we have a long answer and detailed answer? (I) “Team, what shall we do to answer the question short and concise? (D) or shifitng to “Who want to ask the next question?
I may apply the ‘what-so what-now what’ questioning approach here – ask if the team has noticed anything about the answering patterns; how will this affect the process; and what should we do to move forward?
I would bring this situation to the consciousness of the group by asking. “Guys, I noticed that we are not being objective in the answers, did anyone else notice this?”. Listen to the group and ask “who can remember the first rule of action leaning?” In case they don’t remember I would say that the first rule says we should answer questions concisely.” I would add “why would answering concisely help us with this problem?”.
I’ve been through this situation several times and the group always understands that concise questions and answers help to better reflect on the problem.
Doing this reflection is super important for the group to learn to explore the problem and also to take advantage of the time.
I would say, “I noticed that some of you took up a lot of time when you are answering questions. But the time is limited, I am worrying that we may have no enough time to achieve our objective, what do you think?”
“Based on the current situation, in order to achieve our objectives, what can we do in the following discussion?”
As an action learning coach, I would use the SID intervention model in this scenario. I would lean in and ask: “I notice that some participants are answering questions extensively, including repetition, history, and minute details. Do you also observe this happening in the session?” (Situation). Then I continue with a question: “How does these lengthy and detailed responses impact the effectiveness of the discussion and our problem-solving progress?” (Impact). After the members provide their responses, I will ask a question like this: “Is there any way we can encourage concise answers, focus on key points, and avoid unnecessary repetition?” (Do). Then I will lean back and let the group come up with a solution for this scenario. These questions will help the members recognize the current situation, discuss the impact of lengthy and detailed responses, and propose ways to enhance effectiveness and focus during the discussion.
As an action learning coach, I would handle the situation by using “What – So what – Now what model” in the following way:
1. Hi team, How would you rate your statements on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent in terms of specificity?
2. What is the impact of this on the team?
3. How to we want to handle it?
– Hello team, on a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the conciseness of the answers?
– What will happen if our group continues to let this happen?
– What can we do to improve?
This is a learning opportunity. I will intervene by asking questions to the member: what question are you give your answer to? After he/she repeat the question, I will ask the next question: how can you shorten your answer in a short sentence?
I would use the following sequence:
How are we are doing in being objective in our questions and answers?
Why is taking care of being objective is important to us?
How do we want to make this happen in this session?