Optimizing the Power of Action Learning

Action and learning are crucial to sustained organizational success. Mike Marquardt knows this and his book provides proven, practical, and useful thinking tools, techniques, and examples. -- Mike Stonier, Senior Manager, University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science, Johannesburg, South Africa Marquardt's teachings have allowed Sony Music leaders to realize their greatest potential for solving problems: not by overwhelming a discussion with conflicted answers, but by asking powerful questions and reflecting on one's own leadership skills. That alone has made Optimizing the Power of Action Learning one of the most vital instruments of our leadership transformation success. -- Kathy Chalmers, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Sony Music Entertainment A must-read for anyone who wants to improve the effectiveness of people and organizations. -- Doug Bryant, Director of Organizational Development, Honeywell Transportation Systems Mike Marquardt is the key thought leader in action learning. In introducing this unique but simple process to our executive leaders, we have garnered huge benefits in problem definition and resolution, as well as in higher-level thinking and the acceleration of organizational learning. -- Helen Goldson, VP Talent Management, Goodrich Corporation

Michael J. Marquardt, Ed.D. is professor of Human Resource Development and International Affairs as well as Program Director of Overseas Programs at George Washington University. Dr. Marquardt also serves as President of the World Institute for Action Learning and is the author of 20 books, including Leading with Questions and Optimizing the Power of Action Learning. Shannon Banks is former director and trainer for top leadership in Microsoft. She is a Master Action Learning Coach, author of several articles and special journal issue on action learning and her company, Be-Leadership, provides executive level training for many global corporations throughout Europe including UK Parliament leaders. Peter Cauweiler, PhD is Director of WIAL-Thailand and WIAL Board Secretary. He is also the editor for 2 WIAL newsletters distributed to over 5000 people. Choon Seng Ng is a Master WIAL Coach and the Director of WIAL-Singapore. He has trained over 200 coaches in 12 Asian countries. He holds a Masters Degree in Human Resource Development from George Washington University and his company, Idialogue has trained thousands of leaders in public and corporate sectors in Singapore.