Action Learning Approach: Real-World Application and Analysis

This report examines the action learning approach, a method of learning that emphasizes practical experience and problem-solving. It begins by outlining the advantages and disadvantages of this approach, such as improved decision-making skills and the potential for singular group activity limitations. The report then presents a real-life scenario from the Republic Bank of Trinidad, showcasing how the bank implemented action learning in its training programs to enhance employee problem-solving and cognitive abilities. Finally, it poses a question for further discussion, asking what factors organizations might consider when improving their action learning-based training sessions. The report is well-researched, and includes supporting references, providing a comprehensive overview of the action learning approach and its practical implications.

Running head: ACTION LEARNING APPROACH
ACTION LEARNING APPROACH
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1ACTION LEARNING APPROACH
1. Advantages and disadvantages of the action learning approach:
The advantages of the action learning approach are:
 Improves decision making and problem solving abilities among the participants: The
action learning approach assists the participants in developing competence in the fields of
decision making and problem solving activities (Grimard and Pellerin 2018). The
improved practical knowledge among the participants are specifically based on the field
work that the same are required to undertake in real time organizational situations.
 Improve awareness and adaptability among the participants: The approach enables the
participants in identifying the basic areas of change that might be considered by the same
in accordance with the culture and ethical constructs that are followed in the
organizations. The increased awareness among the participants would empower their
activities and planning capabilities while adhering to the common goals of the venture
(Grimard and Pellerin 2018). Moreover, the action learning approach exposes the
participants to critical organizational situations which improves their adaptability while
meeting the common organizational targets in various urgent situations.
 Enables the participants in conducting self- reflection: Self- reflection provides the
individuals with the capability of identifying the competencies and challenges in the
different roles and the manner in which the improvements might be induced. The
application of the approach would support the individuals in empowering continuous
improvements in the operations in accordance with the changing role of the
organizations.
The disadvantages of the action learning approach are:

2ACTION LEARNING APPROACH
 A singular group operation might affect innovation in the practices: The action learning
approach might not be fruitful in situations where a singular activity in a group is
undertaken which might result to absence of innovation in the operational processes.
 Necessity of organizing multiple learning events: The necessity of organizing multiple
learning events might affect the capability of the organization in retaining the
effectiveness of the business operations while increasing the costs.
2. Real life scenario in an organization
The Republic Bank of Trinidad has taken the initiative of inducing the action learning
approach where the organization conducted a knowledge based need analysis among the
workforce (Republictt.com 2020). The organization took the initiative of inducing the action
based learning approach in their training and development programs. The employees or the
participants were provided with real life cases problems and asked to solve the problems through
consultation and collaboration among the team members. The organization identified a range of
activities while questioning the participants and encourage the same in improving their
engagement in the brain storming sessions. Moreover, the training also included different
activities like balancing the payments and communication with the clients in the form of role
plays and dummy scripts. The overall application of the action based learning approach in the
organizational situation aimed at improving the problem solving and cognitive skills of the
employees while introducing the same to different challenges that might be encountered by the
same while operating in the real life organization.
3. A question for progressing with the discussion further
What are the possible factors that might be considered by an organization while improving their
training sessions based on the action learning approach?

3ACTION LEARNING APPROACH
References
Grimard, C.M. and Pellerin, S., 2018, March. Developing leadership through leadership
experiences: An action learning approach. In Developments in Business Simulation and
Experiential Learning: Proceedings of the Annual ABSEL conference (Vol. 45).
Republictt.com., 2020. Republic Bank | We're the One for you!. [online] Republictt.com.
Available at: https://www.republictt.com/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2020].