The cart before the horse: using artful practice to keep action learning fresh

Abstract

At Mayvin, we have developed a particular style of action learning. We call this ‘ practice-based learning ’ . This has evolved through our work with clients, primarily with the UK Civil Service ’ s cross-government community of organisation development and design prac-titioners. The essence of this is a practice-based learning question, derived from the work of our associate Dr. Richard Hale (see e.g. Hale 2014). We have evolved a ques-tion-based approach, using the formula ‘ how can I develop my ‘ X ’ , in the service of ‘ Y ’ and the context of ‘ Z ’ ? , where ‘ X ’ is my own development edge; ‘ Y ’ is the particular arena of practice I am focussed on (often involving the human dynamics of this change) and ‘ Z ’ is the wider, systemic context. We think this is how action learning pro-vides more containment to a person ’ s learning, by combining it with a structure drawn from action research, for example, Reason and Torbert ’ s ‘ 1st, 2nd and 3rd person ’ formula for systemic change (Reason and Torbert 2001). In short, this ensures action learning practice goes beyond the (sometimes legitimate) critique as a ‘ talking shop ’ or ‘ pity party ’ , towards a focus on personal learning and impactful change. This structure is further reinforced by our accreditation process (as an academic partner of the University of Chichester) which enables us to build a curriculum around a person ’ s action learning question, centred on detailed re fl ection on practice, rather than through abstract theory. Each person puts ‘ how they show up ’ at the centre of their learning, and this can be evidenced at the post-graduate level, up to the attainment of a Masters ’ degree. The requirements of accreditation can add bene fi ts of providing continuity and the impetus enabling engagement in a busy world full of distractions, that can pull people away from the important but less urgent realm of learning. But it can at times have a cart-before-horse impact; the danger is people can elevate the