The learning case is a powerful methodology originally developed by Chris Argyris and Don Schon at Harvard and MIT. We use this methodology extensively in Pivotal Conversations training and coaching activities.

Learning cases are extremely useful because they capture actual pivotal conversations that meet two key criteria. First, they are actual situations that represent an "edge" for each individual participant. Participants write-up these cases because they are highly motivated to improve their effectiveness in these situations. The other criterion is that these case must represent cases that are consistent with identified in Phase 1 as top-priority business interactions.

Learning cases allow us to provide participants with unusually specific, helpful feedback and help them develop more effective options. Learning cases also allow our Dialogue Workshops to become "group coaching" workshops, because each participant receives feedback from their peers as well as from us. In addition, each participant learns from all cases discussed.