In a world where agility, innovation, and connection are essential, Codevelopment Action Learning for Business by Maxime Paquet, Nathalie Sabourin, Nathalie Lafranchise, and Ron Cheshire offers a timely and transformative model for organizational and individual development. This book isn’t just about solving problems but also about building people, relationships, and culture through collaboration, curiosity, and co-creation.
At the heart of this approach is a belief in mutual learning: when people come together with openness and intention, they accelerate their goals and develop essential leadership capabilities like problem-solving, self-reflection, and resilience. Rather than relying on top-down solutions or isolated problem-solving, codevelopment creates a structured, supportive space where real business challenges are addressed in real time, with real results.
The benefits are tangible. Participants experience shared learning and openness to different perspectives, helping them reach goals faster. The process also breaks down organizational silos, increases the speed and quality of decision-making, and combats professional isolation—especially valuable during times of talent shortages and hybrid work.
The book outlines five key components that make codevelopment effective:
1. Clearly defined roles in group sessions: Participants take on the roles of client, consultant, and facilitator.
2. A learning and growth mindset: Each session fosters curiosity, humility, and the willingness to learn from others.
3. A structured 7-step method: This ensures consistency and impact.
4. Small groups of 6–7 people meeting regularly: This consistency builds trust, accountability, and depth of insight.
5. Guiding principles: Participants commit to being collaborative, respectful, supportive, and discrete, creating a psychologically safe environment.
Each session features three key roles:
- The Client, a different participant each time, presents a real work-related challenge, such as fast-tracking a project, making a significant decision, or overcoming a roadblock.
- The Consultants ask open-ended, clarifying questions and share relevant experiences. Their goal is to spark new thinking and offer support, not give quick fixes.
- The Facilitator guides the group through the process, ensuring a focus on learning, inclusion, and productive dialogue.
The structured 7-step method anchors every session:
- Participant shares goal and topic
- Consultants ask open-ended questions
- Group reframes the challenge together
- Ideation, reflection, and support
- Client identifies insights and creates an action plan
- Group shares takeaways and expresses appreciation
- Follow-up and accountability in the next session
This book’s combination of practical guidance and human-centred values makes it especially powerful. It’s not just a methodology—it’s a mindset shift that cultivates trust, growth, and performance. For leaders, HR professionals, and teams looking to build a more agile, collaborative, and resilient culture, Codevelopment Action Learning for Business offers a proven path forward.
This book is both a playbook and a call to action in an era when we need to find more innovative ways to work together.
At Lead Vantage, we help leaders build stronger, more resilient, and collaborative teams. Ready to elevate your team’s performance? Let’s talk. Book a call with us today: https://leadvantage.ca/book-a-call/
