Optimize the Power of Action Learning

IPSWICH, Mass. - Sept. 20, 2013 - PRLog -- Business Book Summary of Optimizing the Power of Action Learning

EBSCO Publishing has just released a new book summary. Today’s business environment is more complex than ever, due to factors like globalization, technological advances, and more. Organizations that survive and thrive have employees who are skilled at solving complicated problems in collaborative ways. In Optimizing the Power of Action Learning, Michael Marquardt describes how organizations can use action learning to solve real business problems, while training employees on how to analyze business challenges and devise practical solutions. Marquardt breaks down the action learning process into different components and explains why they are necessary to guarantee action learning success.

Action learning programs have six key components:

1. The action learning problem. The starting point for action learning is a problem that is important for the organization to resolve. Complex problems are ideal for action learning because they demand innovative solutions and inspire learning.

2. The group. Action learning groups should have between four and eight members. In addition to the core team members, other important roles are the problem presenter, action learning coach, problem sponsor, and action learning champion.

3. Questions and reflection. Through questions, action learning teams develop a holistic view of the problem and create innovative solutions. An important ground rule is that statements can only be made in response to questions.

4. Action strategies. Members of action learning groups grow by taking action. Teams go through four stages: understanding and reframing the problem; framing and reformulating the goal; developing and testing strategies; and taking action and reflecting on the action.

5. Individual, team, and organizational learning. Action learning is appealing because it allows employees to increase their knowledge, while the organization simultaneously solves urgent and complex problems.

6. The action learning coach. Action learning coaches optimize their groups’ ability to learn and quickly solve the problems assigned to them. Coaches intervene when opportunities exist for the group to improve performance or strengthen its leadership skills.

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