Friday Footnote # 57

Each week we share loads of content amongst Team ION and with our network. Content that inspires us, which we find helpful, or just makes us smile. We thought we would start sharing these insights every Friday. Welcome to Friday Footnote.

Congratulations to our latest graduates

Following our Swansea team running their first virtual graduation a few weeks ago, yesterday was our Bangor team's turn as they graduated delegates from a number of cohorts who have completed our leadership programmes. During the ceremony, there were videos from the delegates themselves as well as representatives from Bangor University and ION leadership, local MP's and celebrities including BBC Breakfast Sports Reporter Mike Bushell, singer/songwriter Beverley Knight MBE, and the 'nations favourite farmer' Gareth Wyn Jones.

Congratulations / Llongyfarchiadau to everyone who graduated. Keep in touch with ION, and your cohort colleagues, and everyone in Team ION wishes you all the best on your leadership journey.

Action Learning

As part of our leadership programmes, delegates take part in Action Learning Sets (ALS). Action learning is a powerful process used in a group setting to tackle problems where there are no clear-cut or simple solutions. It draws upon the principle that we learn most effectively when we address problems within a small group which provides a supportive yet challenging environment.

It was originally developed as a concept by Revans in the 1940s, who believed that the most effective learning arose from combining the existing knowledge held by the problem-holder with insightful questioning of this knowledge by others. In other words, it is based on the principle that we have all the knowledge and resources inside us to solve our problems, it just requires someone to ask those questions to help unearth these resources from within us.

Our recent Leading Growth programme completed their ALS last week and based on their feedback, it's safe to say that everyone benefited hugely from the sessions - the problem holders, and those asking the questions.

• "The presentation sessions really added value for all involved. It helped us to help each other in a safe space. I have learned things today on so many different levels and it was lovely to see all of us be so supportive and be able to give feedback on how to move forward and solve some of the issues raised."
• "I wanted to say how amazing I found this morning's session and was blown away by the brilliant presentations of my fellow action learning set group, looking forward to the future having learned lots more about them and myself."
• "Within my ALS, I think it's fair to say that we all learned something from each of the presentations delivered, and also from the passionate way each member of the team spoke about their chosen subjects. Thank you for facilitating such a thought-provoking and inspiring morning."

Keep an eye out in the upcoming weeks for a new blog on Action Learning Sets

Inspiration

• Multi-million pound skills investment set to boost region (Wales 247)
• Four-day week 'an overwhelming success' in Iceland (BBC)
• 3 steps to stop remote work burnout (TED)
• The Leader as a Coach: How to unleash innovation, energy, and commitment (Harvard Business Review)
• How to find and fix toxicity in the workplace (Raconteur
• From self-management to team management (Corporate Rebels)

Missed previous #FridayFootnotes?

Diolch. Team ION