Forge Action Learning

Join Us for Forge Action Learning!

We will start together as one group before splitting into two smaller sets.

Each set will work with one facilitator and one issue holder. This gives everyone space to think, ask questions: we all learn from the process.

We will contract collectively that everything discussed is confidential: anything shared outside the group must NEVER have a name or identifying feature.

How we will begin

We will open with a very brief check in. One sentence about how you are arriving.

I will then explain how Action Learning works.

The core principles are simple: curiosity; open questions; no rescuing; no fixing; and patience for the issue holder’s own thinking.

Bidding for issues (these should be work-related, not personal)

Everyone will be invited to say one sentence:

“If I were the issue holder today, the issue I would bring is…”

You can also say if you would like to be the issue holder or not.

As a whole group we will choose two issues, one for each set.

NB an issue/problem is something that has many possible resolutions, none of which is immediately clear.....as opposed to a puzzle which is something for which there is a fairly obvious solution, probably easily found by you.

Facilitators

Tiff and I will facilitate the two groups: we will

• Act as a guide and tutor to support the whole learning process.
• Help the whole group to coach each other.
• Manage the process.
• Manage the time.

What the issue holder will do

When we split, each issue holder will introduce their issue with a short overview.

This includes:

• the context
• how they see the issue
• what they have already tried or considered
• what help they would like from the group

How the group will work

The group will support the issue holder through questions, not advice.

We will move through two types of questions:

clarification questions, which establish the facts

exploratory questions, which open up thinking and reveal what sits underneath the issue

I will guide you through each stage. You do not need to remember the sequence. The issue holder will have time to reflect on which questions feel most useful, and the group will then explore those areas further.

We will then have a short “gossip” stage, where the group shares impressions and what the issue brought up for them, while the issue holder listens. This helps the issue holder see the issue from the outside.

At the end, the issue holder will share what stood out for them and what next steps feel possible.

After both sets finish

We will have tea and time to decompress afterwards, rather than taking a break mid-way.

Then we’ll come back together and close with a short reflection:

what each of us is taking away from the session and the actions you want to carry forward.

If you have any questions before the session, do please ask.

Really looking forward to it.

See you on Tuesday,

Holly

Tl;dr for my ND allies:

Small groups; structured thinking; no fixing.

Book a place.

We start together, then split into two sets.

Two issues will be chosen from a one-sentence bidding round.

Each set has one facilitator and one issue holder.

Issue holders bring a work-related issue with no obvious solution.

Groups help through questions, not advice.

Clarification first; exploratory questions next; short gossip round; issue holder reflects.

We finish with tea, then a quick whole-group “what I’m taking away”.