Reflections on Year One
A crucial step in the learning cycle is monitoring and evaluation – taking a deliberate step back to reflect on what has been learnt and implications on future action. As others have said, if we keep doing what we’ve been doing, why be surprised when we end up with the same mistakes. Reflective evaluation is critical to move from a repeating cycle to an upward spiral.
One year ago we formed an independent company. So what have we learnt in those twelve months? It’s certainly been an adventure in learning new things, meeting new people and organisations, rising to new challenges. As well as new, it’s also provided opportunities to consolidate what I knew and adapt that knowledge for a different setting. Enjoying the freedom of not being in an organisational institution with apparently endless meetings and long-winded systems of decision-making.
The first year has not been without its downside. Coming to terms with the up and down swing of not knowing where the next opportunity will come from. Of the tentative nature of business plans, however well thought through. Taking deliberate steps to avoid the ‘loneliness of the sole entrepreneur’.
I am looking forward to working with one client organisation in facilitating Action Learning. So many organisations and indeed individuals are so busy that they don’t have – should be, make – time to reflect on what’s going on. If we all stopped for a moment and thought – on our own, as a team, as an organisation – then so often the answer we seek is already within us. For some strange reason we devalue time and space for reflection, it’s not seen as real work.
If I can help people make time for such reflection, then I’m sure great adventures lie ahead!
