Action Learning in Action: Transforming Problems and People for World-Class Organizational Learning: Amazon.ca: Michael J. Marquardt: Books

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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

Book Description

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.

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5 Reviews

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4.6 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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

By

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 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.

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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.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for those interested in action learning, Mar 30 1999

By A Customer

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

This book captures the essence of action learning; lots of success stories; interesting perspectives from participants; very practical with all the how-to's needed to set up action learning programs

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning account of learning in action.
This book is a spectacular example of the finest kind of educational writing. Mr. Marquardt shows very clearly, how exactly action learning works, how it is in action. Read more

Published on Mar 25 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opener about problem solving and learning
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... Read more

Published on Feb 17 1999