Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Report prepared by
Valerie Garrow
July 1998
Contents
Page
The Literature Review 2
Self Managed Learning Defined 2
SML in the Organisation 7
Survey Results 10
Individuals who choose SML 10
Organisational Support 10
Facets of Learning 10
Relationships within the Organisation 13
Resources used for SML 13
Individual Benefits 13
Individual Difficulties 14
Organisational Benefits 15
Conclusion 17
References 18
Valerie Garrow
“I have a sense that this is only the beginning of a much larger journey”
(Current Roffey Park MSc participant)
Self Managed Learning (SML) is a learning approach that mirrors the management
process. It has been widely used at Roffey Park in qualification programmes, in-
company programmes and open programmes and reflects Roffey Park’s holistic
approach to learning.
There is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that SML is particularly effective in equipping
managers with the skills required to work in an environment of change and ambiguity. This
research project by means of a survey, has tried to find more substantial evidence and
examples of positive benefits or difficulties, that individuals have identified following an SML
programme.
The survey was designed following a literature review and focus group which were carried
out to identify the key issues relating to SML. It was then sent to 220 people who have
taken part in a Self Managed Learning programme either for a qualification (MBA or MSc at
Roffey Park) or as a dedicated in-company programme.
The elements of SML focus on individual responsibility for learning in a way that reflects the
natural management process as opposed to being taught in an impassive, more traditional
way. SML is, however, also grounded in organisational needs so that the individual is
learning firmly in an organisational context. In addition there is a ‘collective responsibility’
whereby learners support each other and are active participants in the learning of others.
• the curriculum is not separate from the learner who is responsible for its design
according to perceived needs
• adequate time must be given to the crucial diagnostic phase where individuals
decide and clarify their learning needs
• this is done by working through the five SML questions: ‘Where have I been?
Where am I now? Where do I want to get to? How will I get there and how will I
know I have arrived?
• support is required during a transition period where the individual is becoming
familiar with the approach
• learning experiences are identified to satisfy needs by a mapping process
• learning contracts are an essential feature and are totally personal documents
that can subsequently be used to evaluate and measure the outcomes of the
programme
• learning sets are an essential feature where members support, challenge and
assess each other’s contributions facilitated by a skilled set adviser
• a learning budget may be available to the individual, providing a more focussed
and targeted way to purchase appropriate resources or expert help
Key activities
Information Gathering:
• Mapping the Context of the
Programme
• Diagnostic Activities
• Career Goals
• Organisation Strategy/culture
Information Processing:
Individual work
Dialogue with
• Manager
• Mentor
d it y
ui
Fl
Decisions Choices
Assessment Accessibility
Assessment Mapping
Sets and
Set Advisor Learning
Contract
1. Metalearning
A claim made for SML is that it produces metalearning i.e. learning about learning
(Ross,1997), at a strategic level which can facilitate fundamental change. Cunningham (1994)
says, ‘Acquiring new knowledge, skills and competences will be irrelevant if managers do not
change fundamentally their mindsets, their mental frameworks’. Learning to learn, think and
identify resources is therefore more important than the content which constantly changes.
Once the approach has been mastered, the new learning skill can be applied to all areas of
life and in particular to future organisational challenges.
3. Collaborative Learning
The involvement of each individual in the learning of others is a key element of SML. The
insert below describes the behaviour required by set members (Bird, 1995).
Learning set members are each allocated ‘air time’ in set meetings which they can use in the
way they feel most helpful to them. The other set members therefore spend more time
listening and supporting others in their set meeting than they do on their own ‘air time’.
They are required to give feedback and to assess the work of their colleagues in the set.
Members learn the skills of active listening, giving constructive feedback and offering support.
Self-actualisation needs
What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualisation… It refers to the desire for
self-fulfilment, namely, to the tendency for him to become actualised in what he is potentially… the
desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming
(p132)
Maslow, 1943
A claim made by SML practitioners is that because the learner chooses what they will learn
and how to do it, after identifying an organisational or individual need, the motivation to
succeed is particularly strong.
5. Autonomous Learning
As well as the strong collaborative element in the SML approach, there is, paradoxically, a
very individual aspect which recognises the need to accept individual difference. Participants
work on different projects to meet their own objectives and do not necessarily share the
same curriculum as others. In addition they are encouraged to discover their personal
learning style in order to identify appropriate resources as well as appreciate the differences
in the learning styles of other participants.
SML claims to involve the whole person as an individual, as a set member and as a
representative of their organisation. Emotions as well as intellectual responses are
recognised as equally important. It fosters ‘autonomy, personal responsibility and self-
reliance’ (Cunningham, 1994). One of the key dilemmas of an SML approach, however, is
how to maintain autonomy and responsibility for one’s own learning while collaborating with
others and meeting their needs. One of the development processes which allows this is the
development of ‘self-awareness’.
Shell used:
• a visit to British Airways’ ‘High Flyers Programme’ which was based on the same
principles
• formal training
• time with staff, managers, line visits
• libraries
Learner Needs
Cunningham (1994) identifies characteristics of potential SML participants that may help
them succeed with this method of learning:
• they need to feel comfortable with change and see it as a learning opportunity
• they should welcome diversity of culture and individual difference
• they need to be able to take calculated risks
• can integrate data and feelings
• are able to use mistakes as data rather than make excuses
• are able to use all experiences
• can ‘translate learning across contexts’
• do not require a traditional analytical, detached approach
1. Managing Expectations:
SML is fundamentally different from educational practices that people have experienced at
school and even university. In most cases therefore participants genuinely do not know
what to expect and there is evidence to suggest that in the early stages people feel
abandoned and ‘at sea’. They may begin with the impression of unlimited freedom and plenty
of opportunity for free wheeling. However as we have seen, the structure of SML requires
the same deadlines and increased accountability to the other set members for work
produced.
Alternatively both training managers and participants may have heard that such programmes
are very powerful learning experiences and have unrealistic expectations of immediate
changes. In some cases the early stages may involve ‘unlearning’ traditional assumptions and
learning concepts.
Ross (1997) also identifies issues relating to power and authority and suggests that these
need to be dealt with openly. Time is taken up in establishing the correct form of
relationships at all levels and this should be considered as part of the learning process rather
than time wasted.
2. Self Concept:
New participants have to confront their own self-concept and assumptions at an early stage
and this is often described as a highly emotional experience. Ross (1997) describes the pain
of discovering the discrepancy between ideal self and real self which can be ruthlessly
exposed in an SML set and lead to emotional trauma. It may be that to be successful in the
approach people need to already have a belief in their own ability, which raises the possibility
that individuals could possibly be selected by using a psychometric instrument such as
Guglielmino’s ‘ Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale’. It is likely, however, that it is an
essential part of self development to work through this uncomfortable process leading to
greater ‘self-awareness’ as discussed previously.
A potential danger raised by Easterby Smith (1995) is that participants will have difficulty in
identifying what there is to learn, leading to ‘a simple recycling of existing knowledge and
skills’.
Other high scores in this section demonstrate the importance of others in the learning
process. 96% enjoy being involved in the development of other people and 94% often use
colleagues as sources of information.
They are also people who view change as a learning opportunity (99%) although less actually
enjoy coping with ambiguity (69%). 79% feel they learn better from experience than from a
training course. They are, nevertheless, avid readers – 82% enjoy reading books, articles or
reports.
In spite of this profile of individuals eager to learn and with a good awareness of their own
preferences, only 60% found the SML approach easy to adopt and over half had some
difficulty in developing a learning contract. 34% did not find it easy to identify appropriate
resources to solve problems which is one of the keys to success in the programme. Once
mastered, however, 82% found that they were able to apply SML principles to other areas of
their lives outside work.
Organisational Support
Only 15% of respondents work in an organisation where there is an established SML
programme. The remainder comprises individuals who are attending qualification
programmes and therefore have learning sets that are external to their organisation.
Although respondents say that in general (68%) self-development is encouraged in their
organisations, a similar number say that it is not rewarded and nearly three-quarters say that
it is difficult to find time for self-development activities. However 82% of organisations do
encourage learning and developing new skills, 73% provide facilities to do so and a slightly
lower percentage provide opportunities to apply new learning in the organisation.
Facets of Learning
The literature review suggests that SML promotes various facets of learning and the survey
included two items designed to tap into each of these. Respondents were asked to consider
the learning they had gained from their SML programme and identify areas where they had
Metalearning: This is taken to be the ability to transfer learning from one situation to
another or the ability to re-apply the approach in an unfamiliar setting. As one respondent
describes it, ‘having a framework for making a start’.
Just under three-quarters of respondents say that since their SML programme they feel
more able to deal with unfamiliar situations and 71% are able to identify resources and
learning aids more readily.
Examples given include being able to take a step back and view situations objectively as a
‘whole’. One respondent has moved into project management and reports benefits in
developing project management skills, conducting research on the subject and making
recommendations. Another has broken out of a functional area and moved into a more
strategic role.
Respondents report being more self-confident in dealing with senior managers and more
able to take on unfamiliar projects. Someone gives the example of coping in different
sectors and countries.
They also claim to be able to identify ‘wider resource material’ with ‘the realisation that there
are no barriers’.
Several mention the wider networks they have developed both inside and outside the
organisation and in particular their own learning sets which have often continued to meet
long after the programme has finished.
Strategic Learning: 82% of respondents said that they were thinking more strategically
about the future direction of the organisation since the SML programme, although only 55%
were able to contribute directly to organisational strategy. One respondent writes:
Another describes it as, ‘dragging my head above the parapet and disengaging from the
operational level’.
Since the programme one person has moved into employment as a change management
consultant/strategic facilitator within the same organisation. Another describes a broader
awareness of other organisations’ strategy and several responses refer to the ability to
reflect with more depth and breadth. In some cases this means taking a critical look at the
organisation and identifying a lack of strategic direction.
This more strategic approach seems to be reflected in the fact that over three-quarters of
respondents feel that their general management skills have improved. Respondents report a
better ‘understanding of others’ frames of reference’ and being ‘more comfortable in challenging
others in their areas of expertise’. One respondent writes:
I now facilitate a team of Directors’ learning and make very powerful interventions and give
insightful feedback.
I now try to get closer to the people I find most difficult. A bit Machiavellian but it seems to
work.
Many respondents are involved in mentoring or coaching activities with both senior and
junior staff. People mention being more conscious of sharing learning and giving and
receiving feedback. Several work in teams and say that they are more ‘aware of group
learning abilities’.
The survey reveals a kind of inner momentum when participants discover this ‘self-fulfilment’
through learning. One respondent describes it as having ‘more control over my destiny’.
Another feels ‘more committed to the company’ and a third describes the stimulation of the
‘get out of the box mentality’. But not all of this motivation is directed towards pleasurable
experiences. Individuals are prepared to take on tough challenges. One individual writes:
I have selected to learn a particularly difficult job role which I am finding quite stressful as it
involves learning many new skills.
Because there are little restrictions to the process of learning, so it frees the mind – the key
to success, I feel, will be that there are no boundaries.
I am enjoying ‘life’ very much more and have a much greater appreciation of others.
Money, status, prestige are all pretty worthless without this…
Autonomous Learning: From the literature review it was clear that one of the goals of SML
should be to foster self-reliance. Individuals have unique needs and learning styles and their
experience of a programme will essentially be different from that of every other participant.
80% of respondents to the survey agree that following the programme they are able to
identify their own learning needs more readily and 64% say that they now use all situations
at work as learning experiences. One respondent has developed the habit of ‘maintaining a
day to day learning log’ while another expresses the need to ‘formalise a new learning contract
with myself’ having gone on to become a Company Director since completion of the
programme. The development of ongoing learning practices is echoed by another
respondent:
I try to find time for reflection to capture the learning. I am more analytical. I look at the
process as well as the end model
and sometimes as a ‘personal process’. In some cases learning to learn is still an ongoing
process:
Because of this ongoing need, several participants say that they still continue to apply the five
SML questions, others continue coaching relationships or collect general feedback, read text
books and one has developed a ‘learning plan’.
The MSc contributed to my desire to learn with and through others and embedded the
deep belief that the sum is greater than the parts – I never truly saw or experienced this
before
Other resources identified are attending conferences, the Internet and visiting experts.
Individual Benefits
After the initial ‘Oh my God, what have I done? I want to be taught, all this money
I’m spending’ syndrome. Now I have a much more rounded view on life and my
role in society and probably most importantly comfortable with who I am and what I
can achieve
(Comment made by a respondent)
Self-Reliance/Self-Awareness
Building Relationships
Dealing with Ambiguity
Knowing how to Learn
Understanding
Meeting Challenges
New Approach to Life
Enjoyment of the Programme
These responses confirm many of the benefits suggested in the literature review, particularly
the five facets of learning. One illustration from the survey suggests this depth of
development:
I have personally benefited by the journey and the end result…this method of learning has
stretched me far beyond other types of learning I have experienced and has helped me to
consider all aspects of my life from different viewpoints
The link between individual and organisational learning is highlighted by another respondent:
Once adjusted to learning without direction, the power of learning and being able to
translate this immediately into the work environment is superb.
In some cases people experienced a transformational change and one describes ‘an
irreversible change of attitude, of behaviours, of professional practice’. Another writes, ‘I am a
new man, who thinks differently, who sees many patterns in life and who has gained the wisdom of
maturity’. The changes seem to have an impact in all areas of life and stretch the boundaries
of experience:
Individual Difficulties
It is evident however, that the SML process is not easy for many of the participants. The
responses from the open question relating to difficulties experienced during an SML
programme are again grouped under headings and are listed in full in Appendix 2. The
heading with the largest grouping of responses is entitled, ‘Understanding what is required’.
It has already been seen from the survey that just over half the respondents do not find it
easy to develop a learning contract and 40% do not find it an easy approach to adopt. One
respondent suggests that ‘understanding what is required’ is part of the learning process. The
‘initial struggle establishing scope of learning and problems’ described by another is a common
difficulty expressed by many SML participants.
Respondents echo some of the frustration of lack of content and direction and the eventual
realisation that ‘there are no more teachers’.
Difficulties are also reported in building the relationships required to establish the support
needed. These include ‘not a very dynamic/supportive set’, ‘lack of walking the talk from one set
adviser’, ‘internal mentor of a different perspective’, gender problems and the inequality of
As well as dealing with relationship problems, the SML participant must also acquire self-
discipline to manage the process successfully. One respondent writes:
Finding time and self discipline to apply myself, the lack of structure has left me floundering
at times
Although it is true of any programme, particularly at Masters level, that people must learn to
manage their time, it seems to be the perceived lack of structure which demands higher
levels of motivation than simply completing a series of assignments using a pre-determined
reading list.
Organisational Benefits
The responses in this section represent respondents views on the way that their
organisation has benefited from their participation in an SML programme and are listed in full
in Appendix 3. Eight headings emerged from the data:
People generally believe that their performance at work has improved and some have taken,
or feel ready to take on, more responsibility. They report increased awareness of the
business and being able to bring new ideas and influences into the organisation. Many report
better relationships with others and say they are better managers. Several describe
increased motivation and the ability to draw on external resources, new skills and
methodology. One respondent describes a new relationship with the organisation:
Instead of saying, ‘What can the company do for me?’ people will be developing themselves
and contributing more to the business and enhancing their careers
Several respondents say that they have left or intend to leave their organisation and it seems
likely that following an SML programme individuals’ expectations are raised so that
opportunities need to be provided for ongoing development. Individuals who find
themselves in a situation where there are no further opportunities for learning or
contributing to organisational strategy become frustrated and disillusioned.
The Self Managed Learning process fosters self-confidence in the key areas of learning,
identification of resources, management skills, assessment, working with and developing
others and innovation. The additional requirements of this type of programme to build
relationships, identify resources and map the field, demand analytical thinking, self-reliance
and good management skills.
Bird, G. (1994) A Presentation to the EFMD Annual Conference: The Self-Managed Learning
Glass
Cunningham, I (1981) Self Managed Learning and Independent Study in T. Boydell and M.
Pedler (Eds) Management Self-Development: Concepts and Practices. Hants: Gower
Cunningham, I (1994) The Wisdom of Strategic Learning: the self managed solution. London:
McGraw-Hill
Goldman, D. (1996) Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ Bloomsbury
Paperbacks
Ross, J (1997) How was it for you? Exploring the Learner’s Experience of SML An unpublished
MSc study, Roffey Park Management Institute
Results in % YES NO
I enjoy learning new skills and ideas 100
I am aware of my own learning preferences/style 99
I enjoy researching issues in depth at work and in other contexts 78
I do not have time to learn new things at work 72
I enjoy reading books/articles/reports 82
I find it easy to identify appropriate resources to solve problems 66
I prefer traditional taught methods of learning e.g. lectures 94
I enjoy coping with ambiguity 69
I find it difficult to learn without a clear context being provided 73
I learn better from experience than from a training course 79
I view change at work as a learning opportunity 99
I often use colleagues as a source of information 94
I enjoy being involved in the development of other people 96
I found the SML approach easy to adopt 60
I found it easy to develop a learning contract 51
I apply SML principles to other areas of my life outside work 82
YES NO
The opinions of employees are valued in my organisation 62
It is difficult to find time for self-development in my organisation 71
Self-development is encouraged in my organisation 68
For example:
YES NO
There is a current SML programme in my organisation 15
The SML programme was developed specifically for my organisation
The programme is more than 12 months in duration
The programme is part of a qualification programme
The set advisers are from my own organisation
Where and how were the set advisers trained:
I feel more able to deal with unfamiliar situations using SML methods 74
e.g..
Section 5 (continued)
I am a member of an external network 55
I am a better ‘team player’ at work 57
I find opportunities to share my learning with others 68
Please give examples of other relationships developed as a result of the SML programme:
Please describe in your own words the benefits (or otherwise) to your organisation of your
participation in an SML programme:
Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Please return to The Research Department, Roffey
Park Management Institute, Forest Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4TD in the envelope
provided. All responses will be anonymous but if you would like a summary of the results please
enclose a business card.
Self-Reliance/self-awareness
Taking charge and responsibility for own choices
Realisation of being able to tackle new projects/concepts through learning
Empowering: raising my self esteem
Increased personal confidence
Sense of ‘ability’ from doing it myself
A powerful – for me the most powerful self development tool
Have quickly developed a greater understanding of myself, growth in self confidence
Improved interpersonal skills, “allowed” self to be creative, flexibility
Major shift in capabilities, expertise in chosen areas, confidence
Engenders willingness and ability to find things out for oneself
Focus on future with some clarity, more self-aware and confident
More self managed in how I work and identify development opportunities, increased self
confidence
Now knowing what I don’t know but feeling confident I can find out, learning 5 times
greater from having to assess others
Included being only woman in group of men in learning contract, developed my ability to
put my point across even in the face of adversity
Set your own targets/goals, greater focus than I would have if I had been in a different
learning situation
I am able to pick up any topic I want
Changing my personal styles and behaviours both difficult and beneficial
More aware of my style – strengths and weaknesses, networking with people from other
organisations, ability to debate current issues with ‘objective’ individuals
Self development and self assessment skills with enough methodology to sustain them
for the future
Awareness, able to identify sources for learning – seeking feedback actively – more
confident in managing career
Better understanding of myself, where have I been and where am I now
Preferred learning styles make me less guilty at reluctance to read extensively
Can be honest about yourself
Can listen to constructive criticism
You decide rather than have someone decide for you
Meeting Challenges
Faced up to issues and worked through them with the support of the set
Enabled me to ‘mature’ in a work sense and cope with bigger roles more quickly. It
geared my mind to believe others could add value to my thinking by challenging my
assumptions and thought processes. It therefore shaped how I assimilate information
and I now consciously rarely prejudge until I have explored issues in greater detail
Relationship Problems
Not a very dynamic/supportive set – members ‘introverted’ , worked alone
Initial worries in learning set where individuals have very different needs, values and
agendas. Once resolved the difficulties became enormous strengths
Not all people are equal in handling ambiguity
I had an internal mentor of a different perspective (initially my boss which didn’t work).
Lack of “walking the talk” from one set adviser, lack of understanding from organisation
Being only woman in group of men I had not anticipate learning and gender so inter-
related
In early stages people need a lot of support, structure, direction
Assessing the work of others was difficult to get used to and very time consuming
Painful/Uncomfortable Experience
At times if makes me struggle with the “meaning of life”! It can be painful
Pushes the individual to examine areas they are not comfortable with
Intolerance of non-SML approaches, constant questioning/searching which is tiring for
those around me
Treating everything as intellectual issues inappropriate and only 3 or 4 years after
completing MBA is true benefit being discovered
Discipline/Self management
Discipline of managing your own learning
In finding a focus for myself and actually start training
Discipline required to deliver, adds a lot of pressure
Finding time and self discipline to apply myself hard, lack of structure has left me
floundering at times but only occasionally
SML came quite easily but working through MBA process was quite demanding
Time pressures for research and contact with others (x9 responses)
Maintaining balance after first 3 months
Dedicating/allocating time when timetable is informal, prioritising
To find out and follow a habit to work during free time
Greater Motivation
Increased motivation and interest in my work
More energy and participation in many of our business processes
More motivated employee
More questioning and confidence
Improved motivation, better qualified member of staff studying issues relevant to the
organisation
Better Manager
I am a far better manager
Improved manager, constantly seeking new ways of doing things
Infectious, my modelling has encouraged subordinates to develop and want to,
relationships reached new strengths and levels of honesty
Became a better manager and management developer, able to analyse the effect of
business strategy and change on people
Better balanced view on management
Learning back into company, I’m a better manager, more knowledge and skills
My skills are valued by them, I am a source of information/expertise, someone who is
prepared to challenge the status quo and prepared to take risks, try new things. I seek
to change things for the better
Subtle and too numerous to list, improvement in my case of the level of knowledge is
spread over very many disciplines
Passing on the power of SML to staff