ATD Blog
Making Action Learning Work in Government
Tue Oct 20 2015
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Not many federal leaders are familiar with the work of Reginald Revans, a physicist at the University of Cambridge. The fact of the matter is Revans had much success in convincing a very difficult group of colleagues and physicists to work and learn together. The insights Revans garnered as a result of his work became the foundation of what he termed “action learning”—and the potential benefits to the federal leader are many.
Not many federal leaders are familiar with the work of Reginald Revans, a physicist at the University of Cambridge. The fact of the matter is Revans had much success in convincing a very difficult group of colleagues and physicists to work and learn together. The insights Revans garnered as a result of his work became the foundation of what he termed “action learning”—and the potential benefits to the federal leader are many.
What Is Action Learning?
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Action learning is an innovative problem-solving methodology that promotes the use of reflective questioning and processes to address organizational problems while developing individual leadership competencies. As Revans notes in his writings, the term “action learning” is meant to indicate the two key events:
Action learning is an innovative problem-solving methodology that promotes the use of reflective questioning and processes to address organizational problems while developing individual leadership competencies. As Revans notes in his writings, the term “action learning” is meant to indicate the two key events:
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Action refers to the steps that are taken within the agency as a result of the team’s efforts.
Action refers to the steps that are taken within the agency as a result of the team’s efforts.
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Learning refers to the individual and organizational development that result from the process used by the team.
Learning refers to the individual and organizational development that result from the process used by the team.
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This approach to organizational problem solving and leadership development has been successful in creating mutual learning environments where leaders question one another in a constructive dialogue, share their successes and failures, and strive for agreed-upon solutions that make organizations better.
This approach to organizational problem solving and leadership development has been successful in creating mutual learning environments where leaders question one another in a constructive dialogue, share their successes and failures, and strive for agreed-upon solutions that make organizations better.
How Can Feds Benefit From Action Learning?
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Action learning is not new to government. In fact, American University professor Robert Kramer is often credited with the introduction of action learning to federal leaders. However, despite its inherent advantages, action learning is still an untapped resource.
Action learning is not new to government. In fact, American University professor Robert Kramer is often credited with the introduction of action learning to federal leaders. However, despite its inherent advantages, action learning is still an untapped resource.
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Organizationally, action learning brings many benefits to a government agency. Specific benefits include:
Organizationally, action learning brings many benefits to a government agency. Specific benefits include:
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helping agencies refine and solve ill-structured, broad organizational problems
helping agencies refine and solve ill-structured, broad organizational problems
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building high-performing teams
building high-performing teams
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enhancing the learning culture of the agency
enhancing the learning culture of the agency
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tackling the challenge of meaningful change
tackling the challenge of meaningful change
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involving agency members at all levels.
involving agency members at all levels.
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Individually, action learning challenges the way individuals think, and it propels them to consider options and questions in a much broader in comprehensive way. Through the use of an experiential approach, leaders see and feel benefits almost immediately. What’s more, because the best solutions result from answering the best questions, action learning team members can use reflective questioning as the most important component of the process. Teams create an environment where reflective, nonjudgmental questioning and insightful listening occurs in each session—leadership skills that can be nurtured and applied outside the team setting.
Individually, action learning challenges the way individuals think, and it propels them to consider options and questions in a much broader in comprehensive way. Through the use of an experiential approach, leaders see and feel benefits almost immediately. What’s more, because the best solutions result from answering the best questions, action learning team members can use reflective questioning as the most important component of the process. Teams create an environment where reflective, nonjudgmental questioning and insightful listening occurs in each session—leadership skills that can be nurtured and applied outside the team setting.
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Indeed, the problems addressed by this approach are significant. For instance, the New York City Transit Authority tackled three problems with three different action learning teams—increased ridership, unintelligible announcements, and lack of teamwork. Federal agencies in Washington, D.C. have used action learning to resolve equally as perplexing problems such as:
Indeed, the problems addressed by this approach are significant. For instance, the New York City Transit Authority tackled three problems with three different action learning teams—increased ridership, unintelligible announcements, and lack of teamwork. Federal agencies in Washington, D.C. have used action learning to resolve equally as perplexing problems such as:
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how strategic solutions can be promulgated throughout the organization for best use
how strategic solutions can be promulgated throughout the organization for best use
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how to create standardized and operational processes for the audit resolution
how to create standardized and operational processes for the audit resolution
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how HR can improve its brand and employee morale after an IG investigation
how HR can improve its brand and employee morale after an IG investigation
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How an enterprise services division can transform into an organization that continuously and consistently measures and improves customer satisfaction
How an enterprise services division can transform into an organization that continuously and consistently measures and improves customer satisfaction
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how an agency can develop the leadership skills and knowledge of its employees so they will be prepared to move into future mid and upper manager vacancies.
how an agency can develop the leadership skills and knowledge of its employees so they will be prepared to move into future mid and upper manager vacancies.
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No doubt about it: Federal leaders who opt to use action learning can build their own leadership capabilities (reflection, questioning, dialogue, and authenticity) while solving existing organization problems in real time. So, who was Reg Revans again?
No doubt about it: Federal leaders who opt to use action learning can build their own leadership capabilities (reflection, questioning, dialogue, and authenticity) while solving existing organization problems in real time. So, who was Reg Revans again?
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To learn more about how to apply action learning in your agency, join me for the November 12 webcast, “ Action Learning for Federal Agencies—How to Make Action Learning Work for You .” This webcast will feature three federal executives who have successfully used this tool in their organizations. Attendees will:
To learn more about how to apply action learning in your agency, join me for the November 12 webcast, “Action Learning for Federal Agencies—How to Make Action Learning Work for You.” This webcast will feature three federal executives who have successfully used this tool in their organizations. Attendees will:
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understand the value of the use of action learning for organizational problem solving and personal development
understand the value of the use of action learning for organizational problem solving and personal development
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identify potential organizational problems that may be addressed using action learning
identify potential organizational problems that may be addressed using action learning
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hear from practicing federal executives who have had success utilizing action learning
hear from practicing federal executives who have had success utilizing action learning
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recognize the value of action learning as a tool for organizational culture change.
recognize the value of action learning as a tool for organizational culture change.
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