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Action Learning Groups

Action learning groups are a service for managers and leaders in Sydney Local Health District. Through facilitated reflection and action focused sessions, they offer a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to addressing and resolving recurring work-based challenges.
 

Group of people seated, talking together
SydneyConnect Image: Action Learning Group Concept

About this service

Action learning groups offer an opportunity for you to join an interdisciplinary group of peers to reflect on work-based challenges, the ones that you experience as habitually ‘stuck’ in and keep recycling. The group process is action focused, helping you find fresh ways to move forward.

Action learning groups are facilitated by trained Sydney Education facilitators and follow a reflective process to explicitly stop, reflect on actions taken, draw out learnings from reflection and apply them to planned practice. 

Action learning groups consist of 7 participants who will meet every month for a 90 minute virtual online session over a period of eight months.

What are the benefits?

Action learning groups are a well-researched approach to leadership and management development and have been used extensively in the National Health Service. 

There are a number of benefits from participating in action learning groups, they include:

  • Real‑World Leadership: Develops capability through live, complex healthcare challenges, not theory. 
  • Adaptive Thinking: Builds reflection, judgement, and confidence in uncertainty and change. 
  • Influence Without Authority: Strengthens listening, questioning, and peer‑based influence skills. 
  • Peer Support and Credibility: Reduces leadership isolation and builds trust across roles and services. 
  • Learning That Sticks: Links insight to action, supporting sustained behaviour change in practice. 
  • Supporting participants wellbeing: providing time to reflect and find ways forward with long-standing and unresolved challenges.

Who should attend?

Action Learning Groups are designed for managers and supervisors who have staff directly reporting to them and are responsible for completing annual performance reviews. They are also suitable for leaders who, as part of their role, are required to influence people, decisions, and organisational outcomes without having formal line-management authority.

Learning objectives

By the end of the group session, you will be able to:

  • Apply critical and creative thinking when analysing workplace challenges and brainstorming innovative solutions 
  • Collaborate with group members to identify root causes of  workplace challenges 
  • Apply new knowledge and skill gained from the learning groups to address workplace challenges 
  • Practice applying active listening, effective questioning and empathy in a group setting 
  • Understand the shared challenges all managers and leaders encounter across interdisciplinary groups.

Duration

Applicants will be required to commit to attending eight 90-minute virtual sessions over eight months.  

Dates are predetermined to help you organise your workload and prioritise this opportunity for self-reflection and learning. You will need to commit to attending a minimum of seven of the eight sessions as a prerequisite for enrolling. Attendance at session one is mandatory. 

Join an Action Learning Group

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Frequently Asked Questions

Testimonials

“I always say, to learn effectively, you first have to listen effectively. This is the fundamentals of the action learning groups, to listen to other views. We often have blinkers, and these courses are good to realize that being effective is learning and listening to different views.” Environmental Services Manager 
 

“Action Learning Group provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across different areas, sharing real challenges and learning from diverse perspectives. Prior to the group, I lacked a lot of confidence. I found the action learning groups a great experience and boosted my confidence considerably.” Administration Manager 
 

“Thank you, Sydney Education, for such a valuable opportunity for learning, networking, mentorship, and support. The structure of the program also provides a foundation from which to structure future problem-solving strategies from a management capacity.” Senior Physiotherapist

“The most valuable aspect of the Action Learning Group for me was the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across different areas, sharing real challenges and learning from diverse perspectives.” Nursing Unit Manager 
 

“The sessions had a clear and positive impact on my practice. The content was directly relevant to my role, and the strategies discussed were practical and easy to apply. I’ve already begun incorporating several of the approaches into my day‑to‑day work, and they have helped improve both efficiency and confidence in key tasks. The groups reinforced best‑practice principles and provided useful insights that will continue to support my professional development. Overall, the session has strengthened my capability and enhanced the way I approach my work.” Corporate Services Manager