ABSTRACT
Contradictory versions of action learning abound, and claims are made in the marketplace for the effectiveness of this version over that. In my earlier work (2004) I proposed a 'Revans' Gold Standard of Action Learning' as a response to the findings of ten case histories of action learning in the US, all of which fell short of Revans' safeguards for more open, systemic, self-organized set work. For this chapter I have reviewed recent action learning cases and literature across a wider range of public, private and government sectors, concluding that many of those now rushing to capitalize on Revans' work still seem to be unaware of his intentions and basic teachings. Before reiterating 23 critical markers that are indicators of what Revans expected in action learning, I consider his philosophy with regard to knowledge and expertise, authoritarianism and democracy, and the central position of the grass-roots wisdom to be found only at the local level of the 'village'. In closing, I make some particular comments about the role of the facilitator and offer some parting thoughts about the future of action learning.
