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Kurt Lewin, whom many consider to be the father of modern social psychology and the study of organisational behaviour, developed a four-stage model of action-research. This model has been adapted by many others, the most notable of whom is David Kolb. The cycle starts when you encounter a problem within your workplace. You then:
Kurt Lewin's Model
- Reflect on what you know about situations like this.
- Plan how you intend to proceed.
- Act out your plan.
- Observe the results your actions bring.
However, like the simple two-step model Deborah described in an earlier article, Lewin’s four-stage model is a cycle, not a linear process. As you observe the results of your actions, you reflect on what is working, what is not, and what refinements you need to make. These reflections may even lead you to reshape your understanding of the phenomenon you are dealing with, be it leading change, dealing with difficult staff or what it takes to deliver the results that matter most to your boss. As a result of your reflections, you refine your plans and enact these refinements. These may be small changes to the way you are dealing with your original challenge, or they may be sweeping changes due to a fundamental change in your perception of the challenge. After enacting these changes, you again observe the results being achieved and the cycle continues again.
