Action Learning in Action: Transforming Problems and People for World-Class Organizational Learning [Hardcover]

Michael J. Marquardt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 089106124X | ISBN-13: 978-0891061243 | Publication Date: January 12, 1999 | Edition: 1

Used by companies as diverse as Exxon, General Electric, Arthur Andersen, and British Airways, action learning is a proven problem-solving strategy for individual, team, and organization development. In a unique blend of global examples and the personal voices of front-line managers, Marquardt provides field-tested tools to solve problems, develop individuals, and create organizational learning and success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marquardt brings together the six essential elements with realistic advice, practical wisdom, and such tools as checklists and a comprehensive glossary of terms. Readers can learn to leverage action learning to solve problems, develop employees, enhance personal growth, and create organizational learning. -- Training & Development, April 1999

Marquardt's book is a solid guide to action learning. Action Learning in Action is a reasonably active read itself. The book is peppered with quotes about and examples of action learning. The book is a good primer on the topic. The author effectively covers the quesions and processes associated with moving from experience through reflection to learning and meaning. -- Personnel Psychology, Winter 1999

From the Publisher

Co-published with the American Society for Training and Development. With a foreword by Reg Revans, internationally recognized expert and "the father of action learning." When the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School decided to implement a new organization development strategy throughout the agency, it used Action Learning in Action.

"Marquardt has become the leading authority on action learning in the United States. He provides the practitioner an easily understandable method for implementing action learning in the corporate environment."--Scott Wayland, Director, Human Resources, NBC Broadcasting, Division of General Electric, Inc.

"This book is a must-read for organizations seeking an alternative to traditional classroom-based leadership development programs."--Maryann Jacob, Manager, Executive Resource Development, United States Air Force.

"Action Learning provides the tools to cope with and manage the turbulent change occurring in our personal and business lives."--Doug Bryant, Director of Training, Education and Development, AutoNation USA-Republic Industries

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Davies-Black Publishing; 1 edition (January 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089106124X
• ISBN-13: 978-0891061243
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Action learning to all cultures and all kinds of people.", May 7, 2000

By 

Turgay BUGDACIGIL (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Action Learning in Action: Transforming Problems and People for World-Class Organizational Learning (Hardcover)

"It is the challenge of this book", M. Marquardt writes, "to provide a comprehensive overview of the true principles and successful practices of action learning as it has emerged on a worldwide basis...For many organizations around the world, action learning has quietly become one of the most powerful action-oriented, problem-solving tools, as well as their key approach to individual, team, and organization development. Organizations as diverse as Exxon, General Electric, TRW, Motorola, Arthur Andersen, General Motors, the U.S. Army, Marriott, and British Airways now use action learning for solving problems, developing global executives, identifying strategic competitive advantages, reducing operating costs, creating performance management systems, and becoming learning organizations."

In this context M. Marquardt :

* explores the context and history of action learning, illustrating why action learning is so important in today's world of rapid change and chaos.

* examines the six distinct interactive components (1.the problem, 2.the group, 3.questioning and reflective process, 4.the commitment to taking action, 5.the commitment to learning, 6.the facilitator.) that make action learning programs work effectively and thus be so valuable to organizations, teams, and individuals.

* describes the types of action learning programs, the possible roles of participants, and the life cycle of an action learning group.

* explores the five extraordinary, synchronous ways in which action learning can be applied :

1. problem solving

2. creating a learning organization

3. team building

4. leadership development

5. personal and career growth

* examines how action learning may need to be modified in work with multicultural or cross-cultural environments.

* explores the various options and choices that enable an organization to tailor action learning and thus gain optimum benefits from it.

* explores the key questions that an organization needs to ask relative to set advisors.

* identifies ten of the most common pitfalls and makes suggestions for avoiding them.

* examines group assessment of the action learning meetings as well as organizational evaluation of the overall action learning program.

As argued by Reg Revans, father of action learning, "the wisdom inherent in action learning is even more important in dealing with the rapid changes in today's world. And action learning can be used anywhere in the world. It is my hope that this book can bring the wisdom of action learning to all cultures and all kinds of people."

I highly recommend.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opener about problem solving and learning, February 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Action Learning in Action: Transforming Problems and People for World-Class Organizational Learning (Hardcover)

A detailed and insightful introduction to action learning, a process and program that involves a small group solving real problems and continuously learning from the experience. The author explores how action learning can be applied to problem solving, organizational learning, team building, leadership development, and professional growth and development. The action learning idea was born out of the thinking of Reg Revan, son of the man commissioned to investigate why the Titanic sank and who found that questions were never surfaced due to assumptions that other experts are involved and such questions would seem dumb. With many references to the experiences of major firms, this book is enormously valuable - a real eye-opener about problem solving and learning. The questions, presented in the closing chapters, for assessing an action learning program, make it especially useful. This is a top-notch book about a subject of paramount importance to individual, team, and organizational success. Highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Effort!, February 16, 2001

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Action Learning in Action: Transforming Problems and People for World-Class Organizational Learning (Hardcover)

Action Learning in Action Action learning has been around since the 1930s, but it can be used to improve organizations today. Michael J. Marquardt shows how. Basically, four to eight people work together to solve a problem, reflect on what they learn as they proceed and then implement their solution. Marquardt offers a clear step-by-step process and a few case histories. His focus on the original methodology may be a little heavy, but he aims to distinguish action-learning groups from multi-problem-oriented teams and work groups. The book is well organized, but if you already know about team building, leadership development and learning organizations, you'll be walking on familiar ground. That's why we at getAbstract.com recommend this book either to those who are so immersed in group learning that they find new nuance in everything in the field, or to those who are fresh to the subject, who will benefit particularly from the helpful charts, lists and illustrations.