Our impact

Driving business impact through action learning

Our tailored action learning program helps a dedicated IT solution provider deliver significant business outcomes.

The Challenge

An IT provider engaged us to build the collective leadership capability of leaders through an integrated learning program. The challenge was to design a layered program to meet the needs of the single cohort of three levels of leaders and provide the scaffolding for teams to undertake business projects that generated tangible benefits.

The Approach

We conducted collaborative discovery sessions with a cross-section of leaders to understand their context, strengths, and current business challenges.
Leaders from all levels of the organisation participated in the cross-functional, non-hierarchical longitudinal program. It featured four one-day workshops (for the whole cohort), Action Learning projects (for small groups of team leaders and managers), and personal goals for leadership behaviours and approaches to test and adapt (for each participant).

The Action Learning groups had to address a systemically and strategically significant organisational issue, such as scoping an enterprise solution for managed services, evaluating international markets, or testing strategies to improve customer experience.

Participants had to adopt a ‘challenger mindset’ to stretch beyond their normal ways of thinking and operating. To support and accelerate team progress, each Action Learning team participated in regular group coaching over the six-month program.

The Outcome

In post-program assessments, managers and participants reported shifts in critical leadership skills, such as self-awareness and impact, managing energy, communicating effectively and giving feedback. Further, the program provided significant opportunities for leaders to deepen their understanding of the business strategy and priorities through involving the executive team.

The ‘challenger mindset’ projects demanded significant levels of creative and critical thinking, business acumen, and collaboration to deliver a well-researched business case and presentation. The executive team reviewed all recommendations, which were evaluated in light of the organisation’s current business context.

As well as the business outcomes, project teams were required to reflect and report on team processes and dynamics. They reported they were proud of what they had achieved under pressure, and the benefits of the working relationships continue to be realised in the ongoing work of the program participants.