Action Inquiry groups
Bill Torbert - Action Inquiry – The Secret of Timely and Transforming Leadership
Action Inquiry stresses the importance of linking inquiry and participative change at the individual, group and larger system levels.
The essence of an Action Inquiry group is that practitioners will become more effective by continually seeking, as consciously as possible, to take actions and then to reflect upon the impact of those actions. Participants focus on the question of how they can become highly effective leaders in the midst of their daily practice, using three levels of inquiry as a disciplined framework:
In an Action Inquiry group, people come together as a community of inquiry, supporting and challenging each other as they engage in real-time, real-life development over several cycles of action and reflection. The group process is designed co-operatively to address emerging themes, interests and needs.
Benefits of AI groups
Participating in an AI group offers the following benefits:
- Continuity and a sense of community
- A safe and challenging space
- Personal and professional development
- Individual and collective learning
- Long-term, cross-sector or cross-functional networking
Addressing the issues around one’s own personal leadership with robust and supportive feedback from colleagues, peers and facilitators is invaluable. Members are moreover actively supported in moving into real-time inquiring actions and experiments when intervening in their respective organisational systems.
Setting up an AI group
There is no hard and fast rule about the size of an AI group. However, a minimum of six and a maximum of eight is standard practice. AI group sessions are typically 1-day events, but can also be structured as 2-day residential events. Each group finds their own rhythm over time but on average an AI group meets every six to eight weeks over a period of a year, which can be extended. AI groups require an experienced facilitator to guide the process with the aim of maintaining a balance of action and inquiry and attend to the critical issues of group process.
To set up an Action Inquiry group, or to have an exploratory conversation about the potential benefits of AI groups in your specific context, contact Jackie Keeley or telephone +44 (0)1594 530223.
