What our customers say about action learning
“I've been a member of one of Ruth's action learning set for Chief Executives for around eight years and my set has helped inform some of the wisest and best decisions I've ever made. It has been one of the most valuable learning experiences in my life and recent career”
Stewart Wallis, Executive Director, New Economics Foundation
“Action learning is a great use of time to develop as a manager, colleague and human being”.
Rachel Rees, Head of Communications, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
“Most of us are pretty good at seeing what is going on in any given situation with other people at work or elsewhere , but, this does break down sometimes when the situation we are trying to understand is our own. For me, one of the great strengths of Action Learning is that it somehow allows me to examine my own situation with the acuity I would normally apply to someone else's.”
Pauline Beaumont, Chief Executive, Culture North East
“It’s a space in which to open the Pandora’s box of your working life, rummage safely with people you respect, gaining the most incredible insights so you don’t even need to consider closing the lid. A great investment of both my time and the charities money”.
Nicola Carruthers, CEO Thrive
“Action Learning has provided me with a fantastic way of learning about how people and organisations work. A wide range of problems and issues are shared with a small group and through reflecting on the work situations of others and yourself , you acquire new strategies and perspectives and gain a better understanding of your own working style. The bonus is that it's also a really enjoyable way of learning!”
Fazilet Hadi, Director of Policy, RNIB
Action Learning has been fascinating to me and has given me some beautiful learning and contrasts. The concept is inspiring and intriguing. I have been challenged emotionally and intellectually and developed my responses to new stimulus. The facilitation has been strong and compassionate and the sessions have been fulfilling.”
Matthew Shaw, Marketing Director, Bart Spices
“Action Learning helps me to take a step back from the day to day frenetic pace of my work, and reflect on the most important aspects of my role. I can do this in the company of some great people who I know will challenge and quiz me, but always supportively.”
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive Mind“What's amazing about the action learning process is that you didn't tell me anything new, but I could only hear it because you said it”.
Jocelyn Cunningham, Director, Creative Partnerships
”My action learning set continues to meet as a self- facilitated set and is extremely valuable. I am struck that for all of us it has changed the way we are, let alone what we do in the world and at work. There is a sense of rootedness and groundedness in each of us that has come from the enhanced sense of our own worth and capacity we gain from working together in the action learning set.”
Jennie Levin, Independent consultant
“It's definitely worth undertaking action learning to broaden one's horizons, meet new and interesting people in similar roles whilst learning a new technique for solving problems.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Spindler, Metropolitan Police
“Participation in action learning has been an extremely valuable experience from a professional and managerial perspective. By working together with a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds and different skills sets on common management and organisational problems, I have increased my ability to analyse work issues and adopt different responses to situations.”
David Geer, Executive Director, INTERIGHTS
“I have gained three things from my action learning set:
1. space to reflect and focus on my individual work performance
2. input from other participants – both when presenting and questioning
3. informed my own questioning/supervision skills
I recommend action learning as a technique which can be applied in other situations and for space to focus on your own needs. I have received lots of valuable input on specific problems.”
Nick Hardwick, when he was a member of an action learning set as former Chief Executive of The Refugee Council. Currently Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
“This action learning set saved my organisation tens of thousands of pounds. It is the most effective form of management development I have ever experienced.”
Charlotte Jones, Director, Independent Theatre Council
“Great to work with such a thoughtful group of people. Time to reflect and think deeper given the insightful questions of facilitator and participants. It gave me breathing space without the pressures of preparation. When it works (trust, confidence in others) it really is invaluable in having the conversations you can’t have anywhere else.”
Kate Allen, Director, Amnesty International UK
“I have learnt to be quieter and calmer and to help others to find solutions to their own problems. I learnt to question in a way which did not propose a solution or indicate a possible course of action. I discovered how through the style and manner of the question I was able to assist disclosure which explored the problem further and helped to find a solution.
I recognise that people are more likely to develop effectively if they have been helped to work out solutions for themselves and then they own their solution. There is no universal solution, only that which is appropriate to the person holding the problem at the time. In addition I have seen my own problems through the eyes of others; sometimes I can see the solution for others but not myself. The awareness of the problems of others has enabled me to recognise how I could tackle my own problems. It has enabled me to approach my issues more objectively.
During the past eight years I have placed a high premium on personal development both in my organisation and for myself. I felt that the set confirmed for me the success of my own work and took further the next stage in my own development.
Ruth the facilitator was first class. She is quietly very challenging and she was a perfect role model. Her style and clear exposition of how the group would operate (and the interventions when the operating rules were broken) were difficult to handle at the first meeting but it laid the foundations of successful work. Ruth used some very transactional methods to create the conditions for successful transformational work.”
Chief Executive of a County Council participating in a Local Government/NHS Chief Executive Development Set