Powerful Learning Experiences
in Management Learning and Development

Interview Index

EXPERIENCES OF HARDSHIP

Her main learning experiences seemed painful and lonely such as when she was feeling incapable as cox of the team boat. She was gaining insights into what it can be like to be a poorly managed team member.

STEPPING BACK, TAKING A LOOK, SLOWING DOWN

He was learning to use his adrenaline in a controlled manner. The tension between 'free-flowing' action and pausing to reflect is never fully resolved, and leaves some contradictions within his story.

GETTING IN TOUCH AND IN TUNE

He became 'passionately involved' in individual activities, prompting him to seek ways of getting more personally involved in projects at work, and of getting a better balance between work, family and his individual interests.

UNFAMILIAR, UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCES

She describes three different kinds of experience. Each of them were initially unfamiliar and uncomfortable experiences, but she managed to derive some satisfaction and learning from each of them.

BEING CREATIVE TOGETHER

He enjoyed the space and opportunity, without pressure, to indulge in group creative activity. This reminded him of the importance of getting 'back to basics' and getting basic working relationships right.

TAKING THE FIRST STEP

His personal achievement of a ropes course challenge, he found to be full of meaning and messages about coping with change at work. Once one metaphorical link was made, others readily fell into place.

GRAPHIC EXPERIENCES IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Personal achievements confirmed his belief that 'limitations are in the mind'. In group tasks, he was interfering with the responsibilities of others, partly because he was wanting to achieve to a higher standard.

A DRAMATIC EXPERIENCE WITH VIVID IMAGES

She was learning about ways of using support in risky situations. She was particularly interested in learning processes, and in different levels of learning. She found that she was becoming more experimental.

LETTING GO AND TRUSTING OTHERS

As leader of a major project, he made full use of this opportunity to experiment with a more flexible style of leadership. Experiences of group synergy and achievement left him refreshed as if he had been in a sauna.

ANOTHER WORLD

She enjoyed meeting managers from industry. She was very interested in this approach to experiential learning, both as an approach to management development and in its potential applications in primary school.

A POWERFUL GROUP

His experience as the leader of a project made him want to develop a more consultative style. He was very pleased with the fact that the group took on responsibility for organising and facilitating learning for each other.

QUIET FACILITATION OF THE TEAM

He enjoyed quietly supporting others, and sorting out or pre-empting conflicts. Like others in the group, he was dedicated to achieving team tasks. It made him hopeful, but unsure about how to tackle issues at work.

Powerful Learning Experiences: extracts on this site

1. ABSTRACT
2. MAIN FINDINGS (from the 12 interviews)
3. 4 GROUPS OF STORIES (from the 12 interviews)
4. 12 THEMES (found in the 12 interviews)
5. 12 STORIES (3 line summaries of each interview)
6. A MANAGER'S STORY (extract from one interview)
7. INTERVIEW INDEX (this page)   INTERVIEWS
8. LEARNING CYCLES
9. REFERENCES
10. DOWNLOAD