Action Learning—Organization Development

Commitment to Action

For action learning advocates, there is no real learning unless action is taken—and no action should occur without learning from it. Therefore, members of any action learning group must have the power to take action themselves or be assured that their recommendations will be implemented (barring any significant change in the environment or the group's obvious lack of essential information). Action enhances learning because it provides a basis and anchor for the critical dimension of reflection described earlier.

Action learning, therefore, requires action to be taken, not merely the presentation of recommendations. Implementation is part of the contract between the organization and the action learning group; thus the action ...