Action Learning and Leadership Development

Abstract

The Problem. Today organizations worldwide are faced with the growing challenge of increasing the capabilities of their leaders with less time and fewer financial resources. However, most leadership development programs are ineffective and expensive and provide little focus on the social, interpersonal, and strategic aspects of leadership. This research seeks to answer the following questions:1. How are leadership skills developed through action learning? 2. How are these skills embodied and consequently transferred to the workplace?The Solution.Action learning with a trained coach is a cost-effective approach that enables leaders to develop capabilities while working to solve urgent organizational or social problems. In essence, leaders are learning while working. This article reports on a model of action learning that was used with hundreds of organizations throughout the world for over a decade. It presents a number of action learning procedures to develop key leadership skills as identified by the individual and emphasizes the use of a trained coach. The Stakeholders.This article provides researchers and scholarly practitioners in the field of human resource development (HRD), organizational development trainers and coaches, and organizational teams, leaders, and managers with findings that support the growing importance of action learning in the field of leadership development. Other interested

Learning, action and solutions in action learning: investigation of facilitation practice using the concept of living theories

“…In conclusion, it is evident that over recent years organisations have turned to AL as an adaptive and effective methodology for developing their managers (Dotlich and Noel, 1998;Boshyk, 2002;O'Neil and Marsick, 2007;Boshyk and Dilworth, 2010;Volz-Peacock, Carson and Marquardt, 2016). The focus on learning while working through challenging work problems has also been clearly highlighted in the literature.…”

“…More recent research by Volz-Peacock, Carson and Marquardt (2016) highlight that AL provides a safe, social and collaborative environment for developing leaders around the world in public and private sectors.…”

Effects of value clarification and action learning instructional strategies on school children’s attitude to civic education concepts: the mountain learning ecologies experience

“…Many assertions have been made about the benefits of action learning instructional strategies for teaching and learning across different disciplinary boundaries. Some of these scholars have reported the teaching-learning utilities inherent in action instructional strategies in the fields of leadership development (Volz-Peacock, Carson, & Marquardt, 2016), change and learning in networks, an aspect of applied behavioural science (Coghlan & Coughlan, 2015) and integration of social media in the classroom (Casey & Evans, 2017). Action learning is built on small groups of colleagues meeting over time to solve problems or issues to get things done.…”

“…Some scholars attribute the improvement in students' learning outcomes to the willingness to share ideas and 'learn in group' opportunities afforded learners by the action learning lenses as against the teacher centered approach operated in conventional lecture method (O'Hara, Bourner, & Weber, 2004;. Evidences from research have shown that action learning has the potentials of developing the three levels of learning namely: leader/individual, team, and organizational (Volz-Peacock, Carson, & Marquardt, 2016). The implication of these strengths of action learning for an educational researcher is that, this instructional strategy can develop the headteacher/ teacher, team of learners, and the school as well.…”

Rethinking Leadership Theories

“…Despite the vital role played by leadership across different spheres of the society, numerous scholars argue that extant leadership development literature is shallow on leadership development theories (Snook et al, 2012;Day, Fleenor, Atwater, Sturm, & Mckee, 2014;Volz-Peacock, Carson & Marquardt, 2016). It is the author's understanding that leadership development is learning what leadership is and how to lead, particularly how to be an ethical and effective leader.…”