Bald

​Wright, N. (2024), 'Emergence in Action Learning', Action Learning Associates, 25 November.

‘Trust that what needs to be said will come up naturally, either from you or from another person.’ (Liz Dunphy)
 
A commonly-held belief is that the power and potential of Action Learning sets resides in asking great questions. It is after all true that a well-worded, placed and timed question can shift a presenter’s entire perspective, open up fresh possibilities and create a seismic shift in their sense of agency. I’ve experienced that personally and have seen and felt its impact.
 
What else makes the difference? ‘We learn from an early age what the ‘correct’ answers are – those that will win us approval.’ (Rudi Weinzierl) For Action Learning questions to land well and to do their work without being deflected by defences, there’s something about the presenter being in a receptive state of curiosity, of invitation, of a desire and willingness to learn.
 
Deeper still, I notice the mysterious power of presence. Here is a presenter grappling with a complex issue and struggling to find or create a way forward. A group that they trust comes alongside them, is really present to them, listens actively and intently without even saying a word…and something shifts inside them. It’s like a spiritual experience – transformational.
 
A new insight surfaces into awareness as if it were released, catalysed by the quality of contact between them. It was already there, perhaps, but hidden from sight or out of reach. In the moment, it can feel like a realisation, a revelation. Questions stimulate and crystallise a presenter’s thoughts and galvanise their response. Emergence arises through presence.

[See also: Emergence in action learning]