Transcending the role: personal transformation of action-learning facilitators

ABSTRACT

The many genres of action learning have contributed to solving business and social problems, individual development and organisational learning. Different authors have scrutinised the role of the action-learning facilitator in upholding the precepts of action learning. Whilst the responsibilities of the facilitator to the group are significant, this paper concentrates on the personal transformation of facilitators who have transitioned into the role in an application of business-driven action learning. Hence, this study explores how individuals who took on the role of action-learning facilitator experienced genuine personal development. This exploration, within a South African context, offers a perspective on facilitator growth, a subject which has not gained much traction in the action-learning literature. The findings offer insight into the internalisation of action-learning principles, critical shifts and heightened learnings for facilitators.

KEYWORDS:

• Action-learning facilitator
• business-driven action learning
• facilitator development
• action-learning facilitator programme

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rosetta Pillay

Rosetta Pillay's work in the field of finance and exposure to the corporate world have given her a deep understanding of business practices. In addition, her PhD study of Leadership Development (focussing on Action Learning) and contribution to this domain has broadened her perspective on how to merge the duality of business performance and personal growth. Her life's work is to help people to connect with their purpose and passions in order to confront, and ultimately dissolve, their internal dissonance, so that harmony can manifest both within the Self and in relation to others. She is currently a regional L&D adviser for Africa at the British High Commission, the founder of Panacea Hedging and NALA (Nucleus for Action Learning Africa).