NSB DIALOGUES AND FORUMS

NSBDF Action Learning Sets
An Action Learning Set is a remarkably powerful tool for ongoing development and professional growth. Sets are groups of around six to eight people who meet usually once every other month over an extended period of time, often initially agreed as one year. The Sets are structured forums in which members can discuss in a constructive and non-judgemental fashion current concerns, challenges and developments.

Action Learning Sets are particularly useful in the public sector where organisations face regular change, key challenges around performance and the increasing need to work across professional and jurisdictional boundaries. Due to its open structure Action Learning Sets enable a safe, flexible and creative environment to get to take action on an infinite variety of issues.

The sessions aim to achieve:

Reflection on current issues
Peer support and challenge
Creative thinking around solutions and ways forward
Decision on actions to be taken back to the workplace
Review of previous actions and outcomes
A safe space for expressing fears
Reinvigoration of enthusiasm for the tasks at hand
Sharing of ideas and insight into others’ practice

The process is straightforward but uniquely empowering enabling each Set member to discuss an issue of particular concern which is then unpicked by the Set members through a process of open questioning and exploration of options ending in the agreement for actions to tackle the issue. In the course of the session, the member will invariably be able to see the issue from perspectives that challenge their initial assumptions and perspective. Although focused on one issue at a time, every Set member will gain from the discussion of individual issues since rarely is a kind of problem unique to one person. There is an osmosis of understanding generated along with the more specific actions agreed on the individual member’s issue.

The role of NSBDF

NSBDF will agree the parameters of the Action Learning Set with the sponsor in HR, management etc and run the Set to the agreed schedule.

Each Action Learning Sets is managed by an NSBDF Action Learning Facilitator who will ensure that the Set produced optimal development and results by:

Establishing ground rules, the working method and keeping focus
Ensuring each member is given the space to consider their issue
Creating the safe and confidential environment
Pushing the Set to deeper consideration of the issues
Focusing the Set on the learning rather than the detail
Enabling and acting upon feedback from the Set
Pulling together all strands for final reflection

For further information on NSBDF Action Learning Sets, contact enquiries@nsbdf.co.uk