When action learning doesn't ‘take’: reflections on the DALEK programme

This article describes the use of ‘business-driven’ action learning in a healthcare setting. It reviews and reflects on an example where action learning does not ‘take’, identifying the likely causes of this. It also poses four questions -- whether action learning is counter-cultural in some organisations; whether the Organisation Development function is really developmental; whether the nature of the contracting process for external help adversely influences action learning; and whether the external consultant should challenge the brief.