Feeding a growing team: action learning as fertiliser

Abstract

Here I describe an action learning programme I ran for a youth offending team, with 15 of the 19 team members, over a six month period. The programme emerged from running a development session for the team, which highlighted a need for more ownership of the work of the team by workers and for them to be involved in setting the direction of the team's work. Most members felt they had benefited from the programme, in pushing them into new roles and taking on more responsibility in the team. I believe that action learning acts as a powerful fertiliser on seeds of growth, providing a rich, multi-faceted and powerful ingredient for cultivation.