Developing a learning mindset with action learning

ABSTRACT

This paper delves into the role of an Action Learning Coach in real-world scenarios. The coach addresses challenges such as team members leaving for phone calls, disruptions caused by important participants and the team returning from a break visibly shaken. As the coach, I employed an approach involving awareness, team queries, and collaborative decision-making. The paper emphasizes the vital function of language in coaching, advocating for a non-judgmental, future-positive approach to instill a learning mindset. The paper underscores the transformative potential of action learning, a process that encourages constant questioning and questioning everything. Action learning coaching leverages coaching at the group level, fostering self-awareness, goal setting and feedback. The article concludes by highlighting the impact of coaching on participants’ goal orientation and self-efficacy, stressing the importance of a learning orientation for building powerful, growth-oriented teams.

KEYWORDS:

• Action learning coach
• team learning
• individual learning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bea Carson

Bea Carson is an author, speaker and expert in the field of Action Learning. She has mastered teaching Action Learning to the full spectrum of organizational levels. She is an external OD consultant specializing in leadership development, problem-solving and strategic planning. Bea has worked in private and public sectors, with profit and not-for-profit organizations, locally and internationally, for organizations of all sizes. Much of her work has been with highly technical organizations. As a Master Action Learning Coach, Bea is frequently asked to be a visiting faculty member at universities across the country. She has over 200 Action Learning presentations and articles to her credit. Bea is cofounder and Past President of the World Institute for Action Learning (WIAL), as well as having served in several director roles; Past President of the World Institute for Action Learning-USA (WIAL-USA); and president and owner of Carson Consultants. She serves as Chancellor for Asia Open Education Institute and President of AL University, and has served as president of the Annapolis Rotary Club. She currently serves as director of Community Service for Rotary International’s District 7620.