1. presented by Dr Garry Luxmoore MALC President WIAL Australia Chair WIAL Education Committee So, what is the real problem?

2. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 1 Its a real pleasure to be here in Taiwan Thank you for inviting me to come along. Congratulations to Paulina and the team for all their hard work.

3. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 2 Let’s start with some questions: 1.What is at the heart of action learning? 2.What is the difference for us as coaches between process and content? process is the how and content is the what 3.How do we do action learning reflective inquiry – questions and reflection 4.What do we work on? the problem – the problem is at the heart of AL

4. WIAL action learning Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 3 “The problem solving tool of the 21 st century” Newsweek “The problem solving tool of the 21 st century” Newsweek Without a problem there is no action learning

5. so for today, let’s just focus on the problem Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 4 In some cultures using the word problem is a problem  challenge  issue  opportunity  need

6. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 5

7. 6 poor understanding of the real problem of the real problem sub-optimal solutions/actions? great actions toward problem resolution great understanding of the real problem of the real problem

8. Who is often the person who least understands what the real problem is? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 7 the PP – that’s often why they have a problem!

9. why do you think I’m stressing the word the real problem? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 8 symptoms strategies end states extraneousdata

10. So how can the group best help the pp understand what the real problem is? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 9

11. By asking great questions of course and Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 10

12. How can the coach help here? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 11 – When asking the group to write down what the problem is ask the group So what is....’s real problem What is the value in the coaching asking this? – Be careful not to just accept all that comes back – Often group participants give: end states – an example? strategies – an example? solutions - an example?

13. End states to create a new culture to sell more product getting people to better integrate Strategies how to get the executive to communicate better to get the customers to sample the products how to take the next steps Marie’s problem is.. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 12 Solutions having workers to commit to the process trying to engage people who are not in agreement

14. Cannot do something Does not have the ability, knowledge, resources to do something Does not know what to do Has restraints/constraints Lacks self belief or confidence Feels lost or unsure The real problem is if PP Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 13

15. So how can a coach do this? problem or strategy? Marie’s problem is that she needs to get people to work together – problem or strategy? Coach can question with: – so what is it that Marie is unable to do? – What is Marie’s real problem? – Why is that a problem for Marie? – So is that a strategy for Marie or is that her real problem? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 14

16. Try some in your group Her problem is to get standard operating procedures written The problem is that the company has to find brand new markets for a tired product Marie’s problem is how to get the managers to accept the fact that the group is understaffed How to motive the staff Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 15

17. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 16

18. How much does there need to be complete agreement in the group as to what the real problem is? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 17

19. How can cultural diversity impact on problem agreement? Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 18

20. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 19

21. Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 20 How will these scores impact on groups and problem agreement

22. How to segue into next session 1.When there is generally agreement on the problem 2.When there is generally NOT agreement on the problem 3.When there is mixed agreement on the problem (some yes some no some not sure) Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 21

23. and good luck with your coaching so thank you to all the wonderful coaches here today Copyright 2012 WIAL All rights reserved 22