Welcome to the Daily Standup! Let's Get Started! This is a great place for you to learn and explore all topics Agile related and hear some really cool battle stories about a day in the life of an Agile Coach & Certified Scrum Trainer. No extra charge for any Dad Jokes... They are all inclusive.This podcast is for all who perform in the role of Agile thinker, ScrumMaster, Product Owner, Manager, Team Lead, Business Analyst, Functional Analyst, Technical Analyst, and Team Member who want to know what works in Agile and how it can improve your professional life! We answer the questions that are important to you and your organization and teach you to focus on outcome not output.We want to hear from you! Let us know what topics you want to hear us discuss that will be most beneficial for you and your team. You can find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or our Website - www.agiledad.com. Submit questions you might have or topics you would like us to discuss at LearnMore@AgileDad.Com
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The Daily Standup podcast is a helpful and informative resource for anyone interested in Agile methodology. Hosted by V. Lee Henson, this podcast offers down-to-earth advice and insights that make it easy to understand and apply Agile principles. Whether you are new to Agile or an experienced practitioner, this podcast provides valuable nuggets of wisdom that can help improve your performance.
One of the best aspects of The Daily Standup podcast is its ability to bring clarity to the often confusing world of Agile. With so much information and terminology being thrown around, it's refreshing to listen to a podcast that makes things easy to understand. The episodes are perfectly timed at 10 minutes each, allowing for quick but impactful learning moments. Each episode provides a gold nugget of knowledge that helps listeners make sense of their current situations and offers practical advice for improvement.
Another great aspect of this podcast is its down-to-earth approach. V. Lee and his team have a knack for presenting complex concepts in a relatable manner, making it easier for listeners to apply Agile principles in their own work environments. The discussions are engaging and informative, offering real-world examples that resonate with listeners.
While there aren't many downsides to The Daily Standup podcast, some listeners may prefer longer episodes with more in-depth discussions. However, the bite-sized format allows for easy consumption and fits well into busy schedules. Additionally, some topics may be more relevant or interesting to certain individuals, so not every episode may resonate equally with all listeners.
In conclusion, The Daily Standup podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to learn or gain further insights into Agile methodology. With its helpful, informative, and down-to-earth approach, this podcast provides valuable advice and practical tips that can enhance your understanding and application of Agile principles. Whether you're new to Agile or an experienced practitioner seeking continuous improvement, this podcast is worth tuning into.
Dolly Parton Can Improve Your Teamwork... - Mike CohnWould you like to get a check from Dolly Parton for $500? I would.In an effort to reduce the number of students who dropped out of high school in her home county, she promised all 7th and 8th grade students she would give them each $500 if they graduated from high school.She added a catch: They'd only receive the money if a buddy they chose also graduated.Dolly's Buddy Program reduced high school dropouts from 35% to 6%.She clearly understood the importance of accountability to one another: a student contemplating dropping out may not when they factor in the financial impact on their buddy.I wish Dolly Parton would make a similar offer to teams. The best teams understand that they succeed (or fail) together.No one benefits when the programmers finish coding on the last day of an iteration, and leave testers no time to test.When shared accountability pervades a team, people help each other. Programmers may write more unit tests if they know testers will be challenged. Or they may execute some tests themselves.If testers are concerned that programmers may not finish, they can help by identifying earlier and sharing the edge cases that programmers may overlook.There's always something you can do to help your coworkers. Beyond helping out in a pinch, here are some practices that help a team succeed together: Small backlog items that flow through the process more smoothlySmall, frequent handoffs to reduce waitingClose collaboration to improve communicationOverlapping work to avoid leaving too much testing until the endDaily scrum meetings to encourage accountability to one anotherFostering an attitude that everyone succeeds together may not get you a $500 check from Dolly Parton, but it will help you succeed with agile.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
The 13 Commandments of Strategic ThinkingIf your team can't use your strategy to make real decisions, it's not a strategy.Strategy is made of principles, not plans. You can't script the future — but you can guide decisions.You have six key stakeholders. Strategy must serve all of them — not just shareholders.Customers are special. They bring in the money. Everyone else takes it out.Solve big problems. The bigger the problem, the more value you create.Satisfaction over profit. Happy customers bring profits. Not the other way around.It all connects. Customers → Needs → Value → Assets → Processes.Forget the vision board. Focus on your purpose and mission — who you serve, and why.Strategy is direction + pace. Not a fixed destination.Think in decades. The goal is to build a company that outlives you.Don't play someone else's game. Create your own market.Forget annual targets. Build the capacity to learn, adapt, and create value.See your business as Value Waves. Strategy is how you redesign those waves to create more value.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Turn Complainers Into Problem-Solvers“Everything's wrong. Nothing works. This place is falling apart.”And then… the grumble list begins. Oh gawd, every single problem without a hint of a solution!We've all got that team member, right? The one who turns up to meetings like storm clouds ready to rain on everyone's parade?How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Product Management Is Broken - Here's How To Fix ItFive fundamental shifts are redefining what it means to be a product manager in 2025. These aren't minor adjustments or trend-driven pivots. They represent a complete inversion of core PM practices that have guided the profession for over a decade.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Help Me Understand - Become a Better ListenerStop, Collaborate, and ListenHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Is Agile Disappearing? - Not Again...For the last two years, we've seen a fairly drastic change in the agile landscape. Large companies have laid off hundreds of thousands of agile and tech jobs (287k in 2023 and 152k in 2024). The job market for new jobs is also very different. You can't just search for Scrum Master or Agile Coach like you used to.Maybe it's because big firms have started treating agile like “a skill not a role”, as mentioned by the Business Agility Institute and scrum alliance in their “Skills in the New World of Work” research paper. You might need to be multiple things, a manager who knows agile or a technologist who knows Scrum. It's a trend that is sad but true, IMO.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Don't Doubt the Power of Fast Feedback - Mike CohnEvery year when summer rolls around, I start dreaming about getting out on the water: sailing, rowing, kayaking, wake surfing, and so on. If it's a water sport, I probably love it.And every time I work with a product that doesn't quite meet my needs, I start thinking about how important it is to get real user feedback early and often.Today, those two thoughts combined. I was sighing over the latest update to a less-than-optimal work management app, and my mind went back to a 1995 America's Cup race. The race between the US and New Zealand is a great illustration of the importance of two vital activities for agile teams: knowing customers and getting fast feedback. To create their boat, Team New Zealand used software that allowed them to simulate the impact of various design changes on the speed of the boat. They evaluated thousands of design decisions. Each day, Team New Zealand ran simulations on a small network located a few feet from the dock. To further evaluate designs, Team New Zealand made two boats. Each day, they would alter one with a design change to be evaluated. The two boats then raced each other to assess the impact of the design change. By contrast, the U.S. Team designed their boat using massive supercomputers located hundreds of miles from the dock. This created significant feedback delays. The team also had only a single boat for testing, which made it harder to assess the impact of changes. Yep. Tiny New Zealand. For the very first time.Why? Because Team New Zealand got close to their customer and used rapid feedback cycles. If you are not cycling ideas past your customers quickly enough to get rapid feedback, consider moving closer to the dock.New Zealand Went Small, Close & OftenThe U.S. Went Big, Far & SeldomGuess who won?How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Keeping Team Meetings RelevantTeam meetings are a crucial part to the success of any team. They can be a tricky problem to solve because generally you are trying to perform a balance between having fun while focusing on what's next.I don't think team meetings should be overtly structured, but when running them there are always a few goals I need to achieve in each one. And when I speak to those goals, I don't just mean for me, but more importantly, the members of my team.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Conflict Management - Mid-Meltdown Editionif Marcus was running a bakery, what would that look like?”Emma stopped mid-rant. “What?”“I'm serious. Marcus the micromanaging bakery owner. Paint me the picture.”She looked at me like I'd suggested we rob a bank together and then buy a radio station with the funds.But then something shifted. A tiny smile crept across her face...How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Happy 4th of July - One Flag, One Firework, One NationThank You For Listening to This Special Episode! How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
The Lazy Facilitator... “You're such a relaxed, laid-back, and maybe even lazy facilitator!”I received this feedback during a recent Liberating Structures workshop. It was meant as a compliment, though the “lazy” part needed some clarification.
Are You Refining Your Backlog Enough (or Too Often)? - Mike CohnHi V. Lee,Ever felt like your backlog refinement meetings are either way too long or painfully unproductive? You're not alone.Backlog refinement can be a game-changer—or a time sink. The difference? How well you understand the purpose.So, let's get clear. Refinement is when a team and its product owner look at the top items on the product backlog to make sure each is sufficiently well understood and small enough to be brought into the next sprint.That means breaking down large items, adding detail, estimating effort, and generally getting your stories “ready” for the team to work on.Great refinement helps your team:Avoid surprises during sprint planningReduce rework due to misunderstood storiesDeliver value faster, with fewer blockerOnce per sprint works well for teams that like fewer meetings. Keep in mind that the meeting will be longer, though.Once per week can help avoid long, draining sessions—especially if your once-per-sprint meetings are creeping past two hours.What Is Product Backlog Refinement? How Often Should You Do It?Most teams will either do a refinement meeting once per sprint or once per week. What I don't recommend is going beyond that.I've worked with teams in the past that were running 2–3 refinement meetings per week, each an hour or more. Unless your backlog is in serious disarray or your product is unusually complex, that's overkill.And remember—refinement doesn't only happen in meetings. It's perfectly fine for a product owner and a few team members to huddle up outside the scheduled meeting to split a story or clarify details.Keep your refinement meetings focused, lightweight, and appropriately timed—and you'll spend more time delivering value instead of just talking about it. That's a great way to succeed with agile.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
20 Powerful Leadership Quotes That Will Transform Your ThinkingAs leaders, we are often busy — busy leading, managing, and chasing our business goals. If continued endlessly without any break, this can lead to stress and burnout.I find it helpful to take a step back from time to time, and reflect and ponder over our roles as leaders.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Is AI Killing My Coding Creativity and Critical Thinking?“Why solve the puzzle when ChatGPT can solve it for me?”That's a question I never thought I'd ask myself as a young coder. But today, it echoes louder in my mind than any compiler error.I started coding because I loved creating things from scratch. I enjoyed the frustration of debugging, the thrill of getting something right after failing ten times, and the weird pride that came from staring at a screen for hours to make a simple animation work. But now, with artificial intelligence just a click away, something important is fading: my creativity.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Do You TikTok? If So... Why? It is a legitimate question... I am still trying to figure out why people do this.. How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
How To Improve Your Teams MotivationMotivation isn't pushed — it's ignited. When people feel seen, heard and trusted — they don't just show up, they step up.Motivation impacts everything at work — without it people in the team do the bare minimum leading to slow progress, missed targets and poor results. Demotivated people are also highly contagious — they can bring the entire team down with their low morale, lack of enthusiasm and discouraged attitude.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Stop Using User Stories.. I Think NotSomeone Asked me to review an article about user stories... Lets just say it is a mixed review. How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
The Coaching Question That Makes People See Their Impact“The team did all the work.”That's when I dropped my sneaky question:“What would not be like it is — had you not been part of it?”The silence got longer and at one point I thought she had frozen in time.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Is There a Silent Genius In Your Meetings?The most valuable voice in your meeting is the one you never hear. And for that you need a sneaky coaching question.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
You Too Can Do Amazing Things!It's the Friday NOT so Agile Episode time.. How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
All About The Definition of ReadyMany teams use a Definition of Ready to check if Product Backlog items are ‘ready for Sprint.' Often, the acronym “INVEST” is used as a checklist. PBIs are considered ready when they are independent, negotiable, valuable, estimable, small, and testable.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
The One Question That Changes Your Entire Meeting For The Better“What's one thing we do in these meetings that wastes everyone's time?”How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Leadership Scripts for the 3 Conversations That You Can't Afford to Mess UpLetting Someone Go (Without Burning Down the House)Giving Feedback That Actually LandsTalking to Someone Who Has No Idea They're UnderperformingHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Celebrating Fathers - SPECIAL EPISODEHappy Fathers Day! How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Happy Friday the 13th... It is Time For Change!Despite its spooky reputation, Friday the 13th has been a surprisingly positive and even lucky day for many people throughout history—especially when you look past superstition. Here are some great things that have happened (or regularly happen) on Friday the 13th:
The Top 3 Agile Performance Metrics That You are Likely NOT MeasuringDiscuss the development of new metrics that go beyond traditional KPIs, focusing on customer satisfaction, team health, and value delivery to better assess Agile performance.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Learning & Upskilling - Now is the Time!Today we will Highlight the growing emphasis on upskilling within Agile teams, including cross-functional training and certifications, to meet evolving project demands and technological advancements.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Agile Contracting Models in 2025Lets take a moment to Investigate new approaches to Agile contracts that allow for flexibility, shared risk, and iterative delivery, moving away from traditional fixed-price models.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Agile Application Beyond ITToday we will Explore how Agile principles are being applied across various business functions such as marketing, HR, and finance, leading to increased adaptability and customer focus throughout organizations.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
We Still Don't Know How Tickling Works But a New ‘Tickle Lab' at a University is Finding OutWhy can't you tickle yourself? And how come some people aren't ticklish at all—while some on the autism spectrum are laughing more often?Neuroscientist Konstantina Kilteni believes we should take tickling research more seriously—and she's working with colleagues in a new tickle lab at Radboud University to get some answers.Socrates wondered about this topic 2,000 years ago, and Charles Darwin racked his brains about it: what is a tickle, and why are we so sensitive to it?How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Agile Leadership Evolution in 2025Today we will Examine the shift in leadership roles within Agile frameworks, emphasizing the importance of enabling self-organizing teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and balancing alignment with empowerment.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Value Stream Mapping Enhances Agile CapabilitiesValue Stream Management (VSM) is a systematic approach to improving the flow of value from a customer's request to the customer's hands. It focuses on optimizing the end-to-end process, from idea to delivery, to accelerate time-to-market, increase throughput, and enhance customer satisfaction. Key aspects of VSM:End-to-end focus:VSM considers the entire process, including all steps and touchpoints, from ideation to delivery. Flow optimization:VSM aims to remove bottlenecks, reduce waste, and improve the flow of work. Data-driven insights:VSM relies on data and analytics to understand the current state of the process, identify areas for improvement, and measure the impact of changes. Continuous improvement:VSM is an iterative process that involves ongoing monitoring, analysis, and optimization. Reduces lead time:By streamlining the process and eliminating waste, VSM can significantly reduce the time it takes to deliver value to customers. Increases throughput:Optimizing the flow of work can lead to higher throughput, meaning more value is delivered in a shorter period. Improves product quality:By identifying and addressing issues early in the process, VSM can help ensure higher product quality. Enhances customer satisfaction:Faster delivery, higher quality, and more reliable products lead to greater customer satisfaction. Enables business agility:VSM helps organizations become more agile and responsive to changes in the market. In essence, VSM is about maximizing the value delivered to customers by optimizing the end-to-end process, from customer request to customer value realizationHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Top 3 Tips For Effective Agile In Hybrid Work EnvironmentsToday we will Discuss the challenges and strategies of implementing Agile methodologies in hybrid work settings. Topics include effective remote collaboration, maintaining team cohesion, and optimizing virtual meetings.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
This is the REAL Question... How much do you need to know and what is the best way to get caught up? How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Six Magic Words That Help You be a Better ListenerHelpMe Understand ?TellMeMore...How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Why EVERY Product Manager needs to Understand AI!AI is no longer a standalone product — it's becoming a standard feature.For product managers (PMs), this shift means learning to think differently about how users interact with software. The rise of large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4, Claude, and open-source alternatives is changing user expectations across every industry — not just in tech-first companies.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
A Simple Technique to Make Meetings More Enjoyable - Mike CohnEvery time I went to the dentist as a little kid, my dentist gave me a small toy after my treatment.And back then my parents' house was near Disneyland. From our backyard we'd see the nightly fireworks. Disneyland always saved the most spectacular display for the finale.My dentist and Disneyland were making use of what later became known as the peak-end rule. This rule says that we judge and recall experiences based on how we felt at the peak and at the end.My dentist was giving me a more favorable impression by giving me the toy at the end. If he'd given me a toy at the start, it would not have had the same impact.Disney was going for the double-whammy of placing the peak experience at the end.Studies conducted by Daniel Kahneman (author of Thinking Fast and Slow) and others have shown that we consider unpleasant experiences better if they end on an up note. The end doesn't have to be great; it just has to be better than what preceded it.Meetings are an unpleasant experience for many of us. But we can improve how team members feel about meetings by changing how we end them.I plan to try this next week. Our weekly meeting begins with anyone sharing good news, whether professional or personal. This week a coworker is celebrating a professional achievement; next week is another's last before taking maternity leave.This simple sharing of good news is the highlight of the meeting for me. All the discussion about the work we each plan to undertake for the week is vital, but I enjoy hearing good news from coworkers.Back in the day, we put this at the start of each week's agenda because we reasoned it would be nice to start on a positive note. Do you predict we'll be better served by sharing good news at the end?Improving the end of a meeting won't change the outcome of the meeting or the discussions within the meeting. It should, however, improve how people feel about the meeting.Making meetings more enjoyable (or at least less unpleasant) will help a team succeed with agileHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
5 SuperPowers Every Facilitator NeedsUnlock Team CreativityEngagement Maximizer / Disruption DiffuserThe Ability to Help People Feel ComfortableA Curiosity MindsetHigh EQ and the Vulnerability to PivotHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Honoring Memorial DayHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
No FearThe only thing we have to fear is fear itself... How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
5 Tiny Leadership Habits You Can Do in Under 5 Minutes for Massive ResultsManagement is complex, but it doesn't need to be overwhelming.If you have read James Clear's book Atomic Habits, you know that small actions can lead to massive results.A recent study found that 58% of employees trust a stranger more than their boss. Surprising, right? But what if changing that perception took less than 5 minutes a day?The truth is that great leaders aren't made from grand promises or speeches. They're built through consistent, tiny habits that strengthen trust, communication, and connection day in and day out.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Which is the MOST Effective Agile Meeting? I remember working at a startup where every day began with meetings. Planning on Monday, follow-ups on Tuesday, status on Wednesday, dependencies on Thursday, and retros on Friday.The team spent more time justifying their work than doing it.That's when I learned something I've never forgotten as a CTO: an unnecessary meeting is a silent tax on time and energy.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Transform Team Trust In Five SecondsThe Honest StopInstead of pretending you've got it all figured out (no one believes that anyway), just stop.Say: “I'm stuck here” or “I'm not sure about this.”It's like admitting you have no idea how to pronounce that new artist's name. (We've all been there). And that's what You Tube is for right?The Power FlipInstead of trying to be the all-knowing boss, flip the power dynamic.Ask, “What am I missing?” or “How would you handle this?”The Real ResponseHere's the crucial bit — when they speak, shut up and listen. Like, properly listen.Not the “nodding while checking TEAMS “ kind of listening.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Leadership IS Language!The words we use matter.You may not think much of using terms like “resources” rather than “people” or “I” vs “we” but at a subconscious level these words start to infiltrate our minds. For both the person using them and those hearing it.Perhaps you're thinking, ‘I have tough skin' or ‘I don't mind when people use these terms' but even if that's true, that's not the case for everyone and it sets a tone. It influences the fabric of culture.As the old adage goes: “‘Watch your thoughts, as they become your words; watch your words, as they become your actions.”How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Why Our Family Is "Different"My hunch is that if you know us, you are already aware of this development... How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
MVP is Dead!! We Should Focus on MLP Instead!MVPs sound great in theory, but too often, they result in forgettable, uninspiring products. Instead of focusing on minimum viability, focus on minimum loveability – because a product that people love will always win.So, the next time someone tells you to build an MVP, ask them:“Would you rather date someone who's ‘viable' or someone who's lovable?”How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Remove From Your Process as Often as You Add To It - Mike CohnCan you imagine being so angry about a team doing something wrong that you institute a rule for them to follow for the next 100 years? Literally 100 years.Queen Victoria was that angry.One day in 1894, the Queen went to the Horse Guards building expecting her Household Cavalry to be ready to escort her back to Buckingham Palace. She instead found the guards either asleep, drunk, or gambling.Infuriated, she commanded that an inspection of the Guards be held at 4:00 p.m. every day for the next 100 years.I'm guessing the Guards got the message to stop sleeping, drinking, and gambling on duty long before 100 years. The 4:00 p.m. inspection could have stopped after perhaps a year or two. Maybe sooner.Things that become part of a team's process sometimes stay there too long, like that inspection of the Queen's Horse Guards.This happened in a company that had a large database that was shared by multiple applications. When one team changed the database, they screwed up the change and left other teams scrambling to quickly change their code in production.They held a multi-team retrospective and agreed that each team would produce a Database Impact Report every sprint. The report would describe how a team's work would affect the database.This doesn't sound horrible yet, except it was rare for most teams to do any work at all in a sprint that would affect the database.These teams were still expected to complete a Database Impact Report each sprint that basically said: No impactNo impactNo impactThese no-impact Impact Reports were emailed to all other teams.After opening a PDF every two weeks that said “no impact,” recipients stopped bothering to even read the reports that were still being generated.Stop. Just stop.These reports were probably useful for a period. They may have helped identify a risk. They certainly made people more aware of the impact a database change could have on other teams.But after a while, they should have been removed from the teams' process, especially once the teams who actually did routinely alter the database had found better ways of communicating potential impacts.In retrospectives, it's always tempting to look for new things to add (“Let's start using AI to inspect our code!”).But make sure you also reserve time in retrospectives to look for things to remove.Unless your team members are all drunk, gambling, or asleep at 4:00 p.m., you can probably find something to remove from your process.A barely sufficient process with unnecessary actions and rules removed will help you succeed with agile How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
Advice From a Tech CEO - Learn Skills Outside of TechAI is going to work best in niche technical applications, not general purpose FOMO applications. So the more niche Mike focuses his tech team, the more efficiently they can integrate AI, and reject what they don't need — those wild goose chases — as AI grows and evolves around them.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
STOP Creating a Sense of Urgency. START Fostering a Sense of PurposeLet's retire sense of urgency and instead look for sense of purpose. A sense of purpose is a deep understanding of the reasons behind our efforts and a desire to pour in time and energy because that purpose resonates with the impact we'd like to make on the world.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
18 Cheat Codes to Life, to Put You 10 Years Ahead of Other PeopleMaster Your Sleep FirstBuild Your Minimum Viable Day (MVD)Dopamine Detox Every SundayRuthlessly Protect Your Morning FocusFollow the Energy - NOT the MoneyCurate Your InputsBuild a Personal Board of DirectorsThe Rule of 100Automate the UnimportantBecome Addicted to Closing LoopsBuild a Temple For FocusAsk Better QuestionsCreate a Weekly Review SystemMaster Assertive CommunicationBuild a Silent Hour Every DayWalk 10000 Steps Every DayDefault to ActionBuild a Vision - Then Reverse Engineer ItHow to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
How To Defeat The 3 Most Common Arguments Against Technical DebtI once worked on a project where we weren't able to think about technical debt until five years in.Like many startups, we had to hustle to get off the ground. In those initial years, we didn't have much time or capacity to even think about addressing the debt we accumulated.And did it ever accumulate.How to connect with AgileDad:- [website] https://www.agiledad.com/- [instagram] https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/- [facebook] https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/- [Linkedin] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/
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