Wait

19/7/2023

‘Wait time is making space for authentic learning.’ (Takayoshi & Van Ittersum)

A key skill in Action Learning is an ability to wait. It calls for patience and a positive tolerance of periods of silence. Imagine the presenter who receives questions from peers yet answers them too quickly or too easily, without allowing the questions enough time to sink deep. Such responses can sound and feel like surface-level learning, where a presenter knows, or is reasonably easily able to work out, a solution without much need for consideration.

A metaphor that comes to mind is that of the UK innovator, Barnes Wallis who, during World War 2, designed a revolutionary bomb to break through dams. ‘The bomb would spin backwards across the surface of the water before reaching the dam. The spin would then drive the bomb down the wall of the dam before exploding at its base.’ It took time and patience from the moment it was released until the cracks began to show, but then… breakthrough.

This principle of allowing time for questions to sink deep often proves critical to a presenter faced with complex problems in achieving their own breakthroughs: those profound moments of insight and agency that transform everything. It calls for discipline from peers, to wait and hold silence for the presenter before posing a next question. For people who find silence difficult, this entails learning to sit comfortably with discomfort. It’s well worth the wait.

18 Comments

Angela Rosso

21/7/2023 03:58:59 pm

Hi Nick. I don’t know much about action learning but I’m a teacher and I know I often rush to provide answers to students' questions! I’m concerned, to be honest, about how to balance wait time with curriculum constraints, Thanks for sharing.

Nick Wright

21/7/2023 06:00:33 pm

Hi Angela. Yes, participants in Action Learning sets (peer coaching groups) can also sometimes instinctively rush to provide answers for a 'presenter' (that is, a person who is thinking through a complex issue). It takes discipline and skill to pose open questions only - and then simply to wait, to be present, to listen...and to see what may emerge.

Participants in Action Learning sets can also struggle to find time to do Action Learning in the midst of busy work schedules. I guess it's not Action Learning instead of other activities, but Action Learning in the midst of other activities - where it's most beneficial. On the silence in teaching theme, this short piece may be of interest? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/student

Allan Morris

21/7/2023 04:00:40 pm

Your Barnes Wallis metaphor sparked my historical curiosity, Nick. Waiting for the bomb's success is reminiscent of the Allies' patience during WWII. It reminded me of other historical figures who achieved breakthroughs through strategic waiting. I'll explore this further in my historical research and storytelling. I've got a talk coming up next week so this is perfect timing! Thanks Nick!

21/7/2023 06:03:50 pm

Thanks Allan. I wasn't sure about using a bomb metaphor for Action Learning...but it certainly resonated for me. It reminded me of Bob Hunter's (founder of Greenpeace) idea of 'planting a mind bomb'. A great question can have that impact too.

I'm pleased it sparked your curiosity. Hope the talk goes well! :)

Lynne Reynolds

21/7/2023 04:02:40 pm

Hi Nick, in therapy, silence is often therapeutic but action learning is still quite new to me. I practise structured waiting with my clients, especially during moments of profound emotional processing. It raises questions for people in my role about when to intervene and when to patiently wait, creating space for therapeutic breakthroughs. That may be true in action learning groups too, although I think they're different to therapy groups? Thank you, Nick.

21/7/2023 06:14:31 pm

Hi Lynne. Yes, silence can be very valuable and important to allow and enable processing. Sometimes, too quick or too many interventions from peers in an Action Learning set (group) can inadvertently be an interference and distraction for the presenter (person thinking through an issue).

Yes, an Action Learning set tends to have a work-related orientation and is typically solutions-focused and action-orientated (as the name implies). Action Learning isn't ordinarily used for therapeutic purposes. It often entails high levels of robust challenge from a base of support.

Matt Nelson

21/7/2023 04:05:15 pm

Nick, as a business leader, efficiency is crucial, so I think you're a bit of an idealist if you think people would do this in the real world outside of "action learning". However, you’ve challenged me to reevaluate my problem-solving approach. Waiting might seem counterproductive but I’m now thinking it might foster more innovative solutions. I'm going to test this in our strategy meetings by ensuring we allow sufficient time for each team member to digest information before contributing their ideas. I will be interested to see how my busy colleagues react and what pushback I might get.

21/7/2023 06:21:33 pm

Hi Matt. Indeed, I am a bit of an idealist. :) Yes, it will be interesting to hear what happens if you introduce 'wait time' into your strategy meetings, and how others react. I once worked as a team coach with the executive team of an global non-governmental organisation. They, too, felt incredibly busy and time-pressured: 'Too little time to do this'. To their credit they were willing to give it a go, and incorporated silent prayer too. Afterwards, in their words, 'It was absolutely transformational'.

Eleanor Cox

21/7/2023 04:06:30 pm

Hey Nick. Silence and waiting are powerful tools in coaching and action learning alike, allowing clients or presenters to process emotions deeply. However, I'm concerned about potential discomfort for some people. I don't want to impose silence on them especially if they hate silence! It could mean they would lose confidence in me. I'll explore ways to introduce this approach sensitively while promoting their empowerment.

21/7/2023 06:23:31 pm

Hi Eleanor. Yes, I can understand your concern. I invite people to try silence...wait time...as an experiment, then to see what happens. In that way, it's not something that's imposed on them. It's an invitation, not an expectation. I hope that helps!

Sam Hall

21/7/2023 04:07:34 pm

Hi Nick. As an introvert, silence has always been my refuge. I don't like speaking in groups.

21/7/2023 06:27:28 pm

Hi Sam. I like the way your described that, as a refuge. As someone with an introverted preference, I need silence too. I have needed to learn, over the years, to speak in groups. It's one of those things that tends to get easier with experience.

One of the most helpful tips for me was from a coach who encouraged me to tell the group where I was up to in my thinking, even if my thoughts weren't yet fully formed. It helped to reduce the sense of mystery for those who were wondering what was going on for me, and helped ensure my insights were taken into account before a conversation moved on.

I hope you're able to find a safe and supportive environment where you can speak too.

Pete Mannell

21/7/2023 04:09:22 pm

Nick, am I allowing sufficient wait time for my team members to reflect and contribute fully? The business agendas at our meetings are always packed full that pressures us to move on quickly. Would implementing waiting techniques get more team members involved who are typically more reserved. Some of our meetings are dominated by the most confident or opinionated. Any tips? Thanks.

21/7/2023 06:35:28 pm

Hi Pete. 'Some of our meetings are dominated by the most confident or opinionated'. That can happen in the early stages of an Action Learning set (group) too. It takes patience, skill and commitment for a group to develop a different and more inclusive way of working.

There are lots of techniques that can be used to create wait time and invite others in. I would affirm the contribution of those who are more vocal, and discuss with the group how they would like to ensure that everyone gets space to think...and what each may need from others to do so.

(For further ideas, I can recommend 'Meetings that Work' by Catherine Widdicombe (2013). Catherine and I worked together many years ago now and she was my first mentor for my own group facilitation practice - a real star!)

Dan Waters

21/7/2023 04:16:35 pm

Nick, as a busy leader focused on maximizing performance and productivity, I find it hard to see the value in silence for reflection. In today's fast-paced world, time is of the essence, and we need to make quick decisions and take immediate action to stay competitive. Waiting in silence feels like an unproductive use of valuable time that could be better spent on tackling pressing issues and driving results.

Take, for example, a recent strategy meeting where my team was brainstorming solutions for a critical problem. While some team members suggested taking a moment of silence for reflection, I couldn't help but feel that it was an unnecessary pause in the discussion. I believe that we can achieve better results by actively engaging in the conversation, bouncing ideas off each other, and making swift decisions.

In my experience, the most successful leaders and teams thrive on quick thinking and agile decision-making. We don't have the luxury of waiting around for insights to emerge slowly. Instead, we need to rely on our expertise, knowledge, and ability to adapt on the fly. By actively participating in discussions and encouraging open dialogue, we can foster a dynamic environment where ideas flow freely and decisions are made promptly.

In this fast-paced business landscape, I challenge the notion that silence for reflection is a crucial skill in Action Learning. Waiting around in silence may lead to missed opportunities and slow down progress. As a leader, my focus is on driving action, staying agile, and delivering tangible results. While I understand the value of thoughtful contemplation, I believe that in most cases, it's more effective to encourage active participation and immediate response to keep the momentum going.

No offence intended.

21/7/2023 06:47:18 pm

Hi Dan. No offence taken - and thank you for posing such a thoughtful and stimulating challenge!

My sense is that there are times and situations where a quick 'just do it' approach would be most appropriate and beneficial. There are, too, times and situations in which a more reflective 'look before you leap' approach would be most appropriate and beneficial.

So it's something about having the wisdom to discern and decide which approach to use and when.

Hans Vogel

21/7/2023 07:07:03 pm

Nick Wright. If the person can find solution easily without much thinking, why waste time waiting?

21/7/2023 07:15:36 pm

Hi Hans. That's a good question. If the person is able to reach the solution easily without much thought, it could be a sign that the issue they posed was too 'simple' for Action Learning (e.g. a puzzle, rather than a problem) - in which case Action Learning wouldn't be the optimal forum or approach to use to address it.

If that were to be the case, spending more time in waiting could well be a waste of time. Having said that, sometimes when a person identifies a solution and then is given space simply to sit with that and reflect further, deeper insights may emerge that can shift a course of action from a simple change to a more transformative solution.

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