This book is about action learning in the service of social action and social change. The contributors are all engaged in developing new approaches to the wicked problems found in the world today, including the climate emergency, the circular economy, food poverty and insecurity, homelessness, disadvantage, active citizenship, social entrepreneurialism, and the learning of young women abducted by Boko Haram. They reflect a great diversity of settings in South Africa, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Mozambique, Hungary, Poland and the UK. At this time of global crisis rapid technological and social developments sit side by side with apparently impossible challenges needing urgent action. In the Global South, conflicts, terrorism and climatic changes have forced millions of people to abandon their homes and to migrate in search of food and safety. In the Global North, neo-liberal and market-based policies have pursued deregulation, privatisation and the shrinking of the state with consequent increases in homelessness, poverty and ill-health. Action learning was devised to help people work together in challenging situations to bring about changes from the bottom–up. The people in these stories and cases are not passively awaiting brighter futures but are acting together to create a better world for themselves. They are taking back control in local community regeneration schemes, local energy and housing projects, setting up co-working spaces and inventing new ways of doing business and learning new ways to inhabit the earth. They demonstrate a confidence in an action learning idea that is alive and evolving. The chapters in this book were first published in the journal Action Learning: Research and Practice.

This book is about action learning in the service of social action and social change. The contributors are all engaged in developing new approaches to the wicked problems found in the world today, including the climate emergency, the circular economy, food poverty and insecurity, homelessness, disadvantage, active citizenship, social entrepreneurialism, and the learning of young women abducted by Boko Haram. They reflect a great diversity of settings in South Africa, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Mozambique, Hungary, Poland and the UK. At this time of global crisis rapid technological and social developments sit side by side with apparently impossible challenges needing urgent action. In the Global South, conflicts, terrorism and climatic changes have forced millions of people to abandon their homes and to migrate in search of food and safety. In the Global North, neo-liberal and market-based policies have pursued deregulation, privatisation and the shrinking of the state with consequent increases in homelessness, poverty and ill-health. Action learning was devised to help people work together in challenging situations to bring about changes from the bottom-up. The people in these stories and cases are not passively awaiting brighter futures but are acting together to create a better world for themselves. They are taking back control in local community regeneration schemes, local energy and housing projects, setting up co-working spaces and inventing new ways of doing business and learning new ways to inhabit the earth. They demonstrate a confidence in an action learning idea that is alive and evolving. The chapters in this book were first published in the journal Action Learning: Research and Practice.

"Engaging, innovative and exciting to use in anyone's self development. The exercises are fun andilluminating, and the pace is fast and energising. A must read for any manager wanting to be 'thebest'." Prof. Cary L. Cooper, CBE, Lancaster University Management School, UKA Manager's Guide to Self-Development has become the indispensable guide for building management skillsNow in its sixth and substantially revised edition, this practical self-development guide helps new and experienced managers and leaders to improve their performance, advance their careers and realize their full potential. It provides: A complete picture of the managerial skills and competencies required from change management to coachingA flexible, self-development programme to do alone, with a colleague, or in a group Part Two introduces a framework of 11 key managerial qualities. The diagnostic exercises help you to discover your strength and weaknesses, and identify your goals for self-development. Key features: Part Three features more than 55 practical activities, with references and follow up activities to help you develop your skills and abilities4 new activities including Planning & Decisions Making, Virtual Leadership, Critical Thinking and Reflective PracticeRadically updated 'Career/Life-Planning Activity' chapter featuring a more personal, self-developmental approachNew 'Trainer's Guide' offering guidance on how to structure sessions and use the activities with groups "This book continues to be the shining light in guiding managers and leaders toward self-development." Dr Gareth Edwards, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, UK"Fads and fashions in management development come and go but this is an ever-reliable source ofinspiration. This is a book that puts the power to act in the hands and heads of leaders and managersthemselves." Professor Jeff Gold, Leeds Business School, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK"Ideal for students of Business and Organisational Management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and is equally suitable for both younger managers in the early parts of their career and experienced managers wishing to refresh their personal qualities after some years of operational experience. I read the first edition 35 years ago and have seen a generation of managers, trainers and consultants use it to develop successful careers. It is equally relevant in its new updated form for contemporary managers since it deals with fundamental principles of personal development. The trainers' guide is an especially welcome addition, as are the new activities." Barry Curnow, Head of Human Resources & Organisational Behaviour Department, University of Greenwich Business School, UK "The book makes an unanswerable case for managers to engage in their own self-development. Self-managing, in learning and in life, is central to being effective in a whole range of work contexts. Sheep dip courses continue to proliferate when the evidence is that self-development in work is the key to success. This guide provides real support for managers to take charge of their own learning and all managers need to pay attention to making it happen." Prof Ian Cunningham, Self Managed Learning College, Brighton, UK"A Manager's Guide to Self-development has been a staple of the Personal Development module on the Executive MBA for some time. The mature framework and eclectic mix of self-study activities in the book complement the experiential and practical approach to Management Education at Henley. The changes introduced in the new edition mirror the strong focus on narrative and reflective sense-making, which are important in preparation for the positions of senior leadership our programme members aspire to." Chris Dalton, Henley Business School, UK"This book is an essential purchase for any manager who takes their development seriously. The practical activities engage the reader as an active learner: it will help managers improve their skills and experiment with better ways of working. This is a very timely and extended new edition that is highly recommended." Kim Turnbull James, Professor of Executive Learning, Cranfield School of Management, UK"It is with a great sense of privilege that I have been asked to comment on this book. My introduction to the book was in 1978 and it has become a staple resource for my teaching ever since. The authors all come from a tradition that recognises only too well that managers learn naturally, yet with the kind of structure, reflection and encouragement to take action whereby the learning process can be significantly enhanced.The book also recognises the fact that developing individuals is inextricably linked to developing organisations and if individuals are to be effective they need to know themselves and develop appropriate skills and attitudes. The book sets out what these are and recognises that over time they change as organisations change, for example, as 'making contacts' has morphed into 'networking' and 'using power, mentorship and managing change' have crept into the lexicon. Where originally there were 39 activities related to management development there are now 57.I fully endorse the sixth edition and will continue to use the ideas it contains with my own students." Richard Thorpe, Professor of Management Development and Pro Dean Research, Leeds University Business School, UK

Action Learning for Managers is a clear, concise and straightforward guide to this well-established approach to problem solving and learning in groups that enables change in individuals, teams, organisations and systems. Through action learning people develop themselves and build the relationships that are the key to improving operations and bringing about innovations. With questionnaires, checklists, examples and practical advice, this little book includes everything you need to get started. Action learning is essentially a simple idea but one that requires thought, commitment and care to put into practice.

Previous editions of Action Learning in Practice established this authoritative overview of action learning around the world. Over the last decade the move towards action-based organizational learning and development has accelerated, and action learning is now an established part of the education and development mainstream in large and small organizations. Fully revised and updated, this fourth edition covers the origins of action learning with Reg Revans' ideas, and looks at their development and application today. Action learning is self-directed learning through tackling business and work problems with the support of peers and colleagues. A professional and diverse workforce, attracted, influenced and developed in this way is more able to deal effectively with the growing complexity and pressures of working life. As the limits of conventional training and development become more obvious, leaders are increasingly attracted to action-based approaches to learning when seeking better outcomes and returns on investment.

This book offers a useful and accessible guide to leadership. It encourages the reader to be pro-active and learn from experience to develop themselves, their colleagues and their organisation. Part 1 introduces the '3 C's' model of leadership, while Part 2 develops practices that allow any leadership challenge to be overcome and Part 3 focuses on developing leadership and how best to enhance the leadership of individuals and organisations.

This clear and practical guide outlines the thinking behind effectively developing systems to improve joined-up working (with colleagues, other organizations, communities, etc.) and provides helpful guidance on how to do it. Aimed at managers, it illustrates how organizations can develop holistically to meet the changing demands and aspirations they face. It acknowledges that no organization today can stand still for long or "go it alone" and that forming partnerships and alliances for mutual advantage around new tasks and opportunities is vital to survival and success. Working in networks for new knowledge and learning has become central to organizational effectiveness and the delivery of high quality services. Leading Change is centered on the Five Keys of Whole Systems Development - a practical framework of interconnected principles and methods for successful sustainability. The authors have been working in the partnership Whole Systems Development since 1990 and have worked with ma

Action Learning is based on the simple idea that leaders and managers learn best by working together in a group, helping each other find solutions to real work problems through discussions. "Facilitating Action Learning" is a clear, concise and straightforward guide to this well-established leadership and management development technique.

The role of the facilitator is to provide guidance in the action facilitation process. In this practical guide, Mike Pedler and Christine Abbott present a new threefold model of the facilitator's role - as initiator, set adviser and facilitator of organizational learning.

Supported by many real life cases and practical examples, this superbly practical book shows you how - as a manager, business coach, trainer or facilitator - you can add to your repertoire of skills and abilities, and enhance your effectiveness as a leader and developer.

Suitable as the course text for ILM Level 5 and 7 qualifications in Action Learning Facilitation.

""Christine Abbott and Mike Pedler are to be congratulated for their exceptional and comprehensive guide to Action Learning facilitation. It will be of great help to those just starting out with Action Learning as well as to those who are seasoned practitioners. I am also certain that the pioneer of Action Learning, the late Reg Revans, would have been pleased to see his principles and practices, and those of his closest collaborators, so clearly conceptualized and articulated. A 'must read' book providing a very practical method and approach for all those interested and passionate about helping people help themselves, and in optimizing Action Learning."
Dr Yury Boshyk, Chairman, The Global Executive Learning Network, and the Annual Global Forum on Executive Development and Business Driven Action Learning, Canada

"Packed with useful models and thought provoking explorations of hot topics such as critical action learning, this is a rich and thoughtful companion for the busy practitioner involved in organisational transformation It tackles head on the thorny issues of facilitation in action learning and presents a helpful framework encompassing a more expansive view, holding together individual and organisational learning. This book best reflects my lived experience of integrating learning and change in a large complex organisation; reading it was like coming home "
Mandy Chivers, Assistant Chief Executive, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK

"This is a superb, well-crafted book. In fewer than 200 pages it manages to cover all the essentials while including many important but often-neglected topics. Because of its simplicity and clarity I would readily endorse it for use by novices. Yet it is sufficiently nuanced that I would have no hesitation recommending it to experienced users. While remaining true to the values of Reg Revans' original approach it addresses new developments. It is non-doctrinaire, intelligently acknowledging the current controversies and the variations in present practice. It integrates theory and practice. The balance it achieves between conveying the spirit of action learning while providing concrete and practical tools is exemplary."
Bob Dick, independent scholar, Australia

"With this book, Christine and Mike have brought a significant maturity to the field of action learning. They link theory to practice and vice versa, in an entertaining, challenging and supportive way - as you would expect. This book will go some way in helping action learning advisors improve their craft. An important contribution."
Professor Jeff Gold, Leeds Business School, UK

"Pedler and Abbott have done a masterful job in presenting and analyzing the wide array of roles and responsibilities that one can undertake in facilitating action learning groups. Their understanding of Reg Revans as well as their insights into the history and principles of action learning provide an amazing fabric for this great book."
Michael Marquardt, President, World Institute for Action Learning, USA

"Pedler and Abbot pack lifetimes of experience into this book - which shine through in the depth, breadth, and practicality of its coverage. They map the territory and scaffold the journey a facilitator would follow in building proficiency in Revans' Action Learning from novice to expert in three roles critical to success. Emphasizing systems learning, they also position Action Learning as a natural learning process for social and organizational change, and for developing leadership, partnerships and networks beyond programs. Reflective tools accompany the reader throughout to help practitioners develop their own thinking and practice of Action Learning. This is a must-have for both practitioner and scholar resource libraries "
Victoria J. Marsick, Professor, Columbia University, Teachers College, New York, USA"

""The authors have written a book that is engaging, inspiring and practical - a book to make you think also about learning relationships as constructionist practice; which they put forth as the correct approach and warn against action learning for power, influence and dominance. It is practical enough to give examples of really difficult and 'wicked' puzzles and problems, cases where there are no right or wrong solutions but rather a spectrum of possible scenarios."
Paul Olson

This is an extremely significant contribution to understanding and developing practices in action learning. It will add value, provide direction and stimulate practitioners and academics in equal measure."
Brian Milsom, University of Hull, UK"

Action Learning for Managers is a clear, concise and straightforward guide to this well-established approach to problem solving and learning in groups that enables change in individuals, teams, organisations and systems. Through action learning people develop themselves and build the relationships that are the key to improving operations and bringing about innovations. With questionnaires, checklists, examples and practical advice, this little book includes everything you need to get started. Action learning is essentially a simple idea but one that requires thought, commitment and care to put into practice.