Integrating action learning practices into executive coaching to enhance business results

V Vaartjes International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2005

Coaching-based development is growing in prominence as a means of enhancing the achievement of leadership outcomes in Australian business. This article seeks to demonstrate how the application of the practices associated with action learning can be applied to support the achievement of practical outcomes within group-based executive coaching, namely a more rigorous focus on business results. The work draws on an illustrative case study: a group-coaching program conducted with the executive leadership team of an industry-based service organisation. The theoretical and methodological basis of coaching and action learning are explored and contrasted with the conclusion that an integrated approach has the capacity to support coaching participants to achieve extensive developmental and practical outcomes.