Facilitating action learning sets – growing proactive leadership and relationships
One of the best methods I’ve found for supporting leaders to have space to turn reflection into proactive steps and to build deep relationships and collaboration within or across sectors are action learning sets. These groups of 6-8 people meet regularly and support a member deal with a complex challenge they are facing through sustained, open and curious questioning. I facilitate these groups across a range of contexts – within organisations or partnerships/coalitions, within sectors and for leaders of similar organisations, or for organisations involved in a common programme or network. For example, I facilitated a six month program for CEOs and General Managers of work-integrated social enterprises for the Westpac Foundation and Whitebox Enterprises.
I really value the non-judgemental and reflective space that is created in the action learning set. I have felt both supported and challenged and have had break-through realisations about the work of my organisation and the leadership I take up. The value of the time, structure and relationships developed through the action learning set is immeasurable and critical to my role, the work of my organisation, and to the broader eco-system.
Jane Hunt, CEO, The Front Project
Having an open space to talk through our biggest challenges with peers who understand the complexities of WISE was incredibly valuable both personally and professionally. You don’t get this kind of learning from a university classroom (yet!) because the textbook for what we do is still being written. It also helped me to feel like we’re not alone in what we do and the difficulties we face.
Kylie Flament, General Manager – Green Connect