The impact of Codevelopment Action Learning participation on facilitators’ skills and development

Action Learning (AL) is widely used to address complex challenges while building collaboration and leadership. Codevelopment Action Learning (CAL), a structured Canadian variant of AL, has been shown to benefit participants by strengthening self-efficacy, professional identity, and transversal skills. However, little is known about its impact on facilitators, even though they are key to sustaining group learning. Most writings assume that facilitation skills must be mastered before practice, overlooking the possibility that they may evolve during facilitation itself. This study investigates the development of facilitation skills among 58 new CAL facilitators from 15 organizations, who collectively led 263 sessions between 2017 and 2021. Using qualitative content analysis of post-session questionnaires, the study identified significant learning outcomes across CAL’s four facilitation functions and specific behaviors, including questioning, feedback, active listening, and emotional support. Facilitators also reported varied learning outcomes related to the topics discussed by participants, such as knowledge of organizational contexts, professional roles, and shared experiences. The findings challenge assumptions that facilitators enter fully equipped for their role, showing instead that facilitation skills and broader learning deepen progressively through practice. This empirical evidence extends the AL literature and informs facilitator training by emphasizing targeted development alongside experiential learning.