As an action learning coach, how would you handle the following situation:
The team has been working diligently for hours. They decide together it’s time for a break and choose to take and hour, all agreeing that the action for this stretch of time will be to let their minds rest, but as additional questions come to mind they’ll keep note of it.
When preparing a team to work with the Action Learning method, we establish a contract for the duration of a single session. I take into account the possibility of fatigue and a drop in concentration.
If the topic requires several meetings, each session ends with an action plan for the time between sessions—for example, verifying data, reflecting on a specific aspect, or gathering additional information.
If we have agreed on a single session, but during the process fatigue appears and a break is needed, this is discussed and agreed with the team. The break should be used for rest, and if any questions arise, they should be noted and brought back after the break, once the session resumes.
It is important that discussions about the problem do not continue outside the session room.