Action Learning is Coming Home

I felt privileged recently to join our inspirational leaders from across #UKRI on their action learning based leadership development programme at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.

Whilst there we were treated to a tour of the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source which is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences, using 'supermicroscopes' for scientists worldwide to conduct diverse research into the properties of materials.?The overall vision is to advance knowledge and improve life.?Apart from learning some mind-blowing facts about the 163 metre circular synchrotron accelerator, such as it accelerates protons to 84% of the speed of light, I realised the relevance of this research to creating our future.??

The ISIS facility is being used, for example:

• to test complex computer processor and memory systems used in spacecraft computers.
• to research the effect of pollutants on the atmosphere.
• to investigate the formation of the solar system.
• to enable medical researchers to develop bioactive glass that stimulates bone growth which could replace bone transplants.

My role this year has been to infuse action learning into the development of leadership across the nine research councils of UKRI.?The connection of this work with the history of science was not wasted on me.?It was Ernest Rutherford himself who was working with a team of Nobel Prize winning scientists at the Cavendish Laboratories, Cambridge in the 1930s who said:

What impresses me most about myself is my own bloody ignorance. How are you with yours?’

This recognition of the power of exploring what we don't know, rather than boasting, competing over or hiding behind what we do know, takes some courage. This approach which included working as equals in groups and valuing insightful questioning of each other, inspired a young research fellow there to take this way of working to the social science of industry, government and academia. Reg Revans’ theory became known as 'action learning' and this underpins the Action Learning Question methodology we are using to support leaders as they collaborate, explore the challenges of organisation development and change in order to contribute to the development of the UK as a superpower for science and innovation.??

In contemporary terms we are seeing how the organisational challenges which are far from unique to the world of science, can be tackled through collaboration across disciplines and professions, by enabling leaders to tackle complex, multi-faceted problems by asking penetrating questions, researching the mysteries of human and social behaviour and applying their findings in the 'here and now'. Scientists, leaders of science and funders of science are recognising they need to be pragmatic social scientists, able to apply a scientific method of action research in order transform their organisations, teams and themselves.

Examples of the sorts of questions being tackled include:

• How can we re-engage the workforce post pandemic through new ways of working?
• How can we create real psychological safety and reduce fear in order to enable us to face an uncertain future?
• How can we encourage collaborative working across disciplines??

The UK government recently declared its Science and Technology Framework with an imperative to address five technologies considered to be crucial to national prosperity: artificial intelligence, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.?The challenges and opportunities are immense.?At one level this means advancing our understanding of the science.?In parallel with making scientific and technological breakthroughs we need to create news ways of organising, leading and being with each other in the social construct of organisations, businesses, academia and our communities.?Some clues regarding how to do this may come from prior knowledge, say theories or case examples, however the breakthroughs will come from applying the mindset of the scientists - being curious, experimentation, exploration, taking action, interpreting the data and continuously learning.?

Rutherford and Revans have left their trace.

What will be yours?

https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/What-does-ISIS-Neutron-Muon-Source-do.aspx

https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Science-Highlights.aspx