Ambidextrous Organizations and Action Learning

This video introduces the Ambidextrous Organization and couples organizational theory with practice with the union of action learning and the ambidextrous organization. It aims to show how action learning contributes to the creation and sustainment of an ambidextrous (learning) organization. Using a side-by-side comparison of action learning and the ambidextrous organization, we found that Action learning “teaches” and promotes the framework and processes of ambidexterity and the practical creation of learning organizations. An action learning team in action performs like an ambidextrous organization to the extent that “acting” is synonymous with exploitation and “learning” with exploration. The implications of this discussion illustrate how Action learning is a powerful tool for the ambidextrous organization, serving as a template for the practitioner to create a learning organization.