Action learning: Reflections of a first-time coach

• Main Author: HOE, Siu Loon
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2011
• Subjects: Action Learning; Coaching; Leadership Development; Team Building; Management Information Systems; Organizational Behavior and Theory
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/5382; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/6386/viewcontent/10_1108_14777281111125345.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

PurposeIn recent years, action learning has been widely adopted as a problem solving and leadership development tool. The purpose of the article is to reflect on key learning points when initiating action learning sessions and provide tips on what to expect from such sessions.Design/methodology/approachDocumentation of the author's initial first‐hand action learning coaching experience and sharing of lessons learnt in organizing and coaching action learning sessions.FindingsThe paper offers a view on how action learning practitioners can overcome initial coaching issues to run more effective sessions.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the existing action learning literature by providing a deeper understanding of key factors affecting action learning. These factors include team member selection, role of the coach, questioning techniques and desired outcomes.