At Emerging World, we’re big proponents of the Action Learning methodology as a tool to address complex business challenges and help leaders build the collaborative skills, resilience and self-awareness needed for long-term success.
Complex problems typically can’t be solved with technical expertise alone. They require leaders to think differently, embrace uncertainty, and mobilise their teams to experiment, learn, and adapt.
This is where Action Learning becomes an invaluable tool. It enables leaders to step into adaptive leadership—addressing challenges not through quick fixes but by guiding teams to uncover new perspectives and co-create sustainable solutions that leverage the diversity of their teams.
So, what exactly is Action Learning?
First established in the 1950s, Action Learning is a collaborative problem-solving methodology that leverages the diversity of small groups to solve real challenges while also developing inclusive leadership skills. The groups (of about 4-8 people each) come together to tackle a complex challenge and, guided by a coach, use reflective questioning, active listening, and the unique perspectives of the group to develop actionable solutions.
The Power of Action Learning
Curious to learn more about the potential of Action Learning? Below we outline 4 reasons why it’s such a powerful tool.
1 – Leveraging diverse perspectives
Action Learning brings together groups of individuals with diverse roles, backgrounds and perspectives to address a real and pressing complex challenge. The challenge could be an internal challenge the team is facing, or a challenge brought in by a third party that the group is coming together to tackle.
Regardless of the nature of the challenge, it’s the unique skillsets, experiences and perspectives of each member of the group that provides the catalyst for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. As with any challenge, when you see it from a different lens, it fuels new insights and new possibilities.
2 – Prioritising asking questions
One of the ground rules of Action Learning is that statements can only be made in response to questions. This, as you can imagine, can be quite challenging at first! But it helps to ensure that no one rushes to solutions prematurely.
Often when faced with a challenge, people are quick to consider the possible solutions. However, with a complex challenge, the solution is not always clear. In fact, the true nature of the problem is not always clear. Taking the time to ask questions, to enquire, and to dig a little deeper, helps to clarify the core problem. It encourages discovery, minimises assumptions, and allows the group to work collaboratively towards an effective and actionable solution.
3 – Enabling learning while doing
As they work on the challenge, participants focus on leveraging leadership behaviours they want to enhance during their time together and the impact these behaviours have on group performance. Active listening, courage, reserving judgment, and empathy are all qualities and behaviours (among others) that can work well to focus on in this context.
Focusing on these behaviours while doing the work ensures participants can not only effectively address the challenge in front of them but are equipped with the tools to tackle other complex challenges they’ll be dealing with in the future. It helps build the self-awareness they need for long-term success and creates a culture of learning and enquiry within the group.
4 – Using experienced coaches to help groups learn and improve
While the Action Learning coaches do not get involved in the problem solving themselves, they help participants reflect on and assess what they are learning and how they are approaching the problem-solving process. During the session, a coach may pause the group to have them ask ‘how do we think we are doing?’ Or they may have the participants reflect on how they are showing up with respect to their selected leadership behaviour.
The coaches also guide the group, ensuring they remain focused and on-track.
Bringing Action Learning to your company
In a world where the pace of change continually outstrips our ability to adapt, Action Learning provides leaders with the ability to make progress amidst uncertainty. It’s not just about finding solutions—it’s about developing the agility and adaptability needed to lead in a future defined by constant change and transformation.
Are your leaders ready for today’s complex challenges? Action Learning has the power to accelerate their growth, empowering them to lead with confidence and solve complex challenges effectively.
If you want to learn more about how Action Learning can help the leaders at your company, we’d love to set up a time to speak with you further. Just send us a note and we’ll get in touch!
