Abstract/Summary

Action learning is recognised as one of the most effective leadership development interventions(Day, 2014), yet there are still only a handful of sessions at leading conferences. Why is this? Is action learning too difficult to deliver? Or harder to sell? ‘Virtual’ action learning is even rarer, yet the onset of the pandemic has seen the rapid implementation of this remote technology-enabled approach. This paper demystifies action learning and virtual action learning, sharing insights from a longitudinal action research project, based around a two-year masters programme, now successfully delivered to over 300 experienced senior leaders in major international organisations.