Steps to Leadership action learning sets: ‘make it challenging but not too challenging’

Abstract

This paper reviews how action learning was used as part of a regional leadership development programme involving a number of public sector organisations. It explores how the sets were designed and set up and the significant challenges that this particular approach brought. A number of positive tangible outcomes were produced from the sets and these are outlined. Six lessons that have been learnt from this experience are identified and an indication given of how these will be applied to the next two regional leadership programmes that are being developed.

Keywords:

• leadership development
• local government
• public sector
• outcomes

Notes

This region includes 33 local authorities varying in size from 400 to 60,000 staff.

Action Learning usually works by participants taking action on their own ‘projects’ (see Weinstein, K. 1998. Action learning: A practical guide. … Farnham: Gower.).

Based on Edmondstone, J. (2003). The action learner's toolkit. Farnham: Gower.