I am working with a group of pragmatic operations managers on a talent development program. I will be getting them to explore the learning cycle and their preferred learning style and the implications for maximising learning. I would like them to go away motivated to become reflective practitioners. Any ideas for group / interactive activities that could achieve this.
3 Responses
Use what interests them
First of all I would like to say, as a very strong activist/pragmatist, that I find it very difficult to get into reflector mode. Operators tend to be far more towards the ‘do’ rather than the ‘think’ so it is not easy to get them to change the way they work. I don’t know if you can get them to ‘become’ reflective practitioners. You may be able to strengthen this style but you can’t change their basic nature.
Having said that – you could use something that interests them – for example (not knowing if they are male or female) you could get them to discuss how football teams improve their perfomance – train and practice current/new skills; play the game; watch videos afterwards to see how they performed and discuss strengths/weaknesses; go back to the training ground etc etc.
They could discuss how the team improves its performance and get them to fit it into the learning cycle.
Hope that helps
Sue
pragmatic or reflective
Hi
your posting is very telling:
"I am working with a group of pragmatic operations managers on a talent development program. I will be getting them to explore the learning cycle and their preferred learning style and the implications for maximising learning. I would like them to go away motivated to become reflective practitioners"
Pragmatists are naturally less likely to reflect than many other people with different preferences.
You say
"I would like them to go away motivated to become reflective practitioners"
…. what do they want?
If they do not want to be more reflective and cannot see the reason to change their behaviour then you have lost before you start.
Your role is to show them the strengths in being balanced – however i suspect you are on to a losing battle – for it is their pragmatism that has enabled them to be successful – being reflective would have held them back.. this is a big style and culture change – is it what tour org needs & wants?
What style is rewarded in the appraisal system?
Give them an insight into what reflection can offer
I agree that is it hard to get practical people to reflect but feel that if they can find a practical way to do this it may help. I would recommend getting people to start writing about their experiences and to share this. If you read Reflective practice: writing and professional development by Gillie Bolton 2010 Sage you can see the approach and the exercises it offers to open up a whole new way of reflecting on experience. I am currently on a Reflectice practice course for coaches where this book was recommended and found it inspirational. Happy to discuss further if you want. [email protected] http://www.karengreenwood.co.uk