Action Learning Set Guidelines

Action learning set guidelines

In groups of 4-6, you will be discussing one person’s issue as a time and helping that person think through the issue and arrive at a solution.

Step 1 – agree roles:

Chairperson (to keep order, to move discussion on when needed) Time keeper (to ensure timings are maintained) Problem/issue owner (depending on time, there may only be one of these for now) Group members

Step 2 – hear the issue (2-5mins)

The problem owner is to outline the problem/issue to the group – they have a set amount of time (2-5 mins to be agreed first) to explain it, UNINTERUPTED (i.e. no questions or comments)

Step 3 – clarify the issue (5-15mins)

Group members (including chair/timekeeper) ask questions of the problem owner about the problem/issue – THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GROUP MEMBERS OR TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS BUT SHOULD BE TO HELP THE PROBLEM OWNER’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUE – THEY ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PROBLEM OWNER

Step 4 – Explore solutions (5-15mins)

Group members and problem owner now explore possible solutions (don’t yet try to reach a consensus on what SHOULD happen, just explore the range of possible solutions and advantages/disadvantaged associated with each)

Step 5 – Commit to an action (2-5mins)

The problem owner now considers the possible solutions and outlines their course of action – if the group is arranging to meet again this might be a list of things they hope to do or achieve before the next action learning set

Step 6 – Onto the next person

Now, someone else becomes the problem owner and the cycle starts again

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