This is a reflective Account of Practice paper that delves into the author's role as an Action Learning coach, emphasizing the crucial role of intuition in facilitating breakthroughs and creating an environment conducive to problem-solving. It narrates a transformative 2019 coaching session where the author used unconventional techniques to…

This paper explores the professional practice of the Action Learning (AL) facilitator through a process of critical inquiry, self-reflection and evaluation of action learning practice within a Higher Education Leadership Programme, commissioned by an English NHS Mental Health Trust. Action research was adopted as the overarching research approach…

This account of practice tells the story of how engaging in a critical action learning set helped us address problems with student engagement in a postgraduate module. On the surface, this seems fairly straightforward following Revans' model (1971). However, what we actually have are multiple layers of self-reflection, a visual metaphor and its…

To contribute to current debate concerning approaches to teaching and learning for researching complex work-based problems, we focus on the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) programme. We examine the development of an integrated action learning approach as part of a part-time DBA offered by a university in the UK. In adopting the lens of…

Action learning has evolved with multiple variants and a multiplicity of interpretations which have moved it away from Revans Classical Principles. This account of practice describes the use of an adapted action learning set within the legal profession with a specific focus on a 'provided' problem and collective reflective practice in the form of…

Insights into the learning environment are required especially when applying action learning commonly used in management development programmes (MDPs). The study reports on an emerging action learning conceptual framework that fosters an environment for individual transformative learning in an MDP. The purpose of this research was to make clear…

As Action Learning has evolved, it has been adapted to promote learning in various contexts. In this account of practice, we share our perspectives as facilitators of the application of action learning principles within Reflective Practice Forums for Mentoring and Coaching Programme Managers. The ethos of action learning was adopted with the…

This account of practice follows an action learning project that considered the contribution of the 'L = P + Q + R' formula to the teaching of thinking skills to 31 pre-service teachers in Turkey, including the risks in the process of AL. The participants were observed as exhibiting developments in learning (L) thinking skills through questioning…

This account of practice explores the use of an action learning programme with a team in a Public Relations agency in Bangkok, Thailand. The programme aimed at improving team and individual performance, including leadership, self-awareness, ownership of work, communication and collaboration. The article describes the context and intended purpose…

This account is a critically reflexive piece about the practice of facilitation of action learning through the lens of my own practice and experienced practice. It occurs as a result of a cathartic moment within an action learning set and follows the subsequent questions that were evoked as a result. It is not a finished article since it raises…

Reports of anger and aggression within the general population of the UK have been on the increase since the 2008 financial crisis. Traditional anger management programmes utilise Cognitive Behavioural and Mindfulness theory within a psychoeducational setting to help angry participants adapt and change their behaviours. These approaches have a…

Facilitating reflection for personal growth in a business context requires careful thought and planning. As a learning process, Business-Driven Action Learning (BDAL) has two points of focus. It aims to firstly identify and make recommendations regarding a business challenge, whist secondly facilitating potentially significant individual personal…

Reflective Practice has been dominated for the last 25 years by an experiential school as typified by Kolb (1984. "Experiential Learning." Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall). This paper suggests that there are significant problems with an approach to considering futures that is based on 'knowledge' of the past, identification of ongoing…

This paper explores the practice of action learning (AL) facilitation in supporting AL set members to address their 'messy' problems through a self-reflexive approach using the concept of 'living theory' [Whitehead, J., and J. McNiff. 2006. "Action Research Living Theory." London: Sage]. The facilitation practice is investigated through…

This account of practice examines the implementation of and reactions to action learning through the Lean methodology in a unique, cross-cultural context. I review my time spent as a Lean coach; engaging with, training, and using action learning with employees in a garment manufacturing facility located in Bali, Indonesia. This research addresses…