Ideal Number Of Members For An Action Learning SetIt is worth considering the ideal number of members you should have in an action learning set.
The most effective groups consist of between 5 – 8 members, large enough to generate a breadth of questions and ideas, small enough for each member to be able to participate fully both as an issue holder or set member Remember that each group should have an issue holder and a facilitator so if you have five participants you have just three members to ask questions and offer their thoughts and reflections to help the issue holder. From experience when there are more set members I find there is a far greater number and variety of ideas generated from the session. If you are working with just five members then I would recommend that the facilitator also plays the part of a set member. If the group is any bigger than 8 members then it will reduce the frequency of each member being given the opportunity to present an issue to the group. Also I find that set members are keen to contribute and at times it can be more challenging as a facilitator to manage larger less mature groups, as sometimes there is instinctive competition for air time. This also drives the need to lengthen the process. In my view the ideal number would be 6 set members plus a facilitator who focuses solely on managing the process Further Reading Action Learning: A Practical Guide for Managers See Also:- Action Learning and Group Coaching
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by Anne Brockbank and Ian McGill (Paperback - 6 Nov 2003)
by Krystyna Weinstein (Paperback - 16 Nov 1998)
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