These documents explore the life and professional philosophy of Reginald Revans, the British pioneer who created the action learning framework. His approach rejects traditional, expert-led management education in favor of practical problem-solving where managers learn by addressing real-world organizational challenges alongside peers. Revans argues that true progress requires radical growth and the courage to ask new questions rather than relying on incremental improvements or the “idolatry” of past successes. The texts highlight how his personal humility and iconoclastic nature shaped a methodology centered on the belief that there is no learning without action. By internalizing risk and embracing “comradeship in adversity,” participants in his programs develop the wisdom to navigate a world of constant change. Together, these sources present action learning as a moral and practical ethos designed to resolve complex social and industrial problems.
Sources
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• Reginald Revans: The Pioneer of Action Learning ◦ Author: Mike Pedler ◦ Publication:The Palgrave Handbook of Organizational Change Thinkers, 2016 ◦ DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-49820-1_20-1[1] • Management, Productivity and Risk — The Way Ahead ◦ Author: R. W. Revans ◦ Publication:OMEGA The International Journal of Management Science, Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 127-141, 1981 ◦ Reference: 0305-0483/81/030127-15$02.00/0[2] • ABC of Action Learning ◦ Author: Reg Revans ◦ Publisher: Lemos & Crane, London (1998 edition) ◦ ISBN: 1-898001-42-1[3] • Action Learning: Are We Getting There? ◦ Author: R.W. Revans ◦ Publication:Management Decision, Vol. 22 Iss 1 pp. 45 - 52, 1984 ◦ DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eb001339\[4\] • ‘Meadium’ On the Learning Equation in 1984 ◦ Author: R. W. Revans ◦ Publication:Management Education and Development, Vol. 15, Pt. 3, pp. 209-220, 1984[5] • Reg Revans: a man of action ◦ Publication:Training Journal, November 2000[6] • Q’ing action learning: more on minding our Ps and Qs ◦ Author: P.A.C. Smith ◦ Publication:Management Decision, 35/5, pp. 365–372, 1997 ◦ ISSN: 0025-1747[7]
References
[1] Pedler - Reginald Revans The Pioneer of action learning.pdf [2] Revans 1981 Management productivity and risk - the way ahead.pdf [3] [Book] Revans - ABC of Action Learning.pdf [4] revans 1984 - action learning are we getting there.pdf [5] revans 1984 - on the learning equation.pdf [6] revans-article.pdf [7] smith 1997 - revans action learning explained.pdf