No Time Like the Present

Why does Action Learning Work?

My obsession with Action Learning…Part 3

Who has time to change anything? I know I’m not the only one who keeps doing things in a less-than-optimal way because I can’t muster the energy to change them.

Usually I experience this reluctance to change in my business. Usually, when I introduce something new to our business I do it myself, just to make sure I know how it works. For example, when we started our e-commerce site for home delivery of beer early in the pandemic, I took on the building of the site and all the administration of it. At the time, that was the best solution. It was urgent, I did not have anyone else more qualified or any money to pay anyone. I just did it. But two years later I was still doing it, and it was driving me CRAZY.

I resisted delegating it because that would mean that I had to slow down and explain how I did things, let other people see how messy it was, and (*gasp*) probably change something. We don’t believe we have the time to change the way we do anything these days.

We don’t believe we have time to rebuild the dam while we are running around plugging all the holes. 

When I feel that inertia, that stickiness, that resistance to change, I know it is time to slow down to speed up. I know it is time to look to the tools of Action Learning.

Action Learning works because the structure forces us to slow down and reflect so that we can see what we don’t know, invite new perspective and speed up to learn as we go.  But even more powerful than the slowing down to speed up is how Action Learning leverages the experiences of a diverse group to gain new perspective, create support and invite empathy.  When I have a challenge or an intention for change that seems impossible I know that I need the magic of Action Learning. Part of the process of Action Learning means we each come to the circle with an intention for change and a challenge.  Sometimes the intention is shared or sometimes we each bring our own discrete challenges.

What is revealed through the Action Learning process is our common human experience of the discomfort of learning. Sharing that experience with others allows us to let go of our ego’s need for certainty and lean into that feeling of being incompetent and stuck.  

Magically, when we accept and appreciate the discomfort, we get unstuck.

Dealing with change and uncertainty whether we are leading, creating or adapting to the change requires us to learn.  Learning involves discomfort, feeling incompetent and out of control.  But it also creates the opportunity to experiment.  If we must be uncomfortable, experiment and make mistakes (and we must!) then it helps to have others to support, empathize and hold us accountable.  

Action Learning facilitates strangers who are change agents coming together to serve and love one another in a practical, tangible way that is magic, and creates momentum.

Why does it work?

Because it slows us down enough for us to realize we can’t keep doing what doesn’t work.

Because the process and the people around us are kind and accepting as we realize that.

And because, when we emerge from the hamster wheel we aren’t alone. We have others who believe the change we see is possible and who will support and celebrate our next small step.

Want to experience Action Learning for yourself? Join my next program starting in April 2022.