Navigating the complexities of action learning facilitation: a reflective account

This account of practice explores the experiences of three facilitators involved in action learning within executive masters’ leadership programmes, which have been offered by our university for two decades. Grounded in an action learning philosophy, these programmes create a dynamic environment where participants confront and address their organisational challenges through collaborative learning. Our collective reflections highlight the inherent tensions and transformative nature of facilitating action learning sets, where participants present real-world challenges to their peers, aiming to generate actionable insights and personal growth.The account delves into the facilitators’ personal journeys, highlighting the vulnerability and discomfort they experienced while observing participants navigate their own challenges. Through a reflexive process, we examine our shared perspectives on facilitating learning in action learning sets. We discuss our evolving understanding of the role of the facilitator in creating a safe and supportive space for participants to explore challenges, learn from their actions and develop their leadership capabilities.