Podcasts about Agile leadership

What does it look like to lead a 300-person software org inside a 1,000-person company—and still stay focused on people first? Brendan Wovchko shares what he's learned about leadership, agility, and building a culture that actually works. Overview Brendan Wovchko, CTO at Ramsey Solutions, joins Scott Dunn to talk about what it really takes to lead Agile teams inside a large, fast-moving organization. From developing leadership habits to navigating team dynamics and staying grounded in purpose, this conversation is full of thoughtful takeaways for anyone working at the intersection of people, process, and product. References and resources mentioned in the show: Brendan Wovchko Ramsey Solutions #80: From Struggling to Success: Reviving Agile Teams with Mike Cohn #143: What Still Makes Teams Work (and Win) with Jim York What Is a High-Performing Agile Team? by Mike Cohn Four Quick Ways to Gain or Assess Team Consensus by Mike Cohn Elements of Agile Assessment Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum. Brendan Wovchko is the CTO of Ramsey Solutions and a lifelong student of what it takes to build great software, lead great people, and scale both with purpose. With roots in engineering and startups, he brings decades of hands-on experience in product, leadership, and agile culture—plus a knack for turning big ideas into results that matter.

Who coaches PMs if Directors or CPOs don't understand how features get built? ...or don't understand how to build a strategy?Join Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel as we analyze Ravi Mehta's PM competency framework and debate which skills actually matter at each level of product management!#ProductManagement #Leadership #ProductStrategyREFERENCES"How to Become a Peak Product Manager" by Ravi Mehta: https://www.ravi-mehta.com/product-manager-skills/= = = = = = = = = = = =LINKS Arguing Agile: http://arguingagile.comYouTube: https://youtu.be/d9byEWuGbBoSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Listen or watch as Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel and Product Manager Brian Orlando debate whether communication is the primary function of product managers. We explore how and if PMs can balance effective communication across stakeholder groups while still delivering results, in addition to other topics, such as: What percentage really is communicationThe power-interest matrix for stakeholder managementBalancing narrative leadership vs technical excellenceCreating vision without authorityMaking the invisible turn visibleWhat makes a good one-page vision documents#ProductManagement #Agile #Communication= = = = = = = = = = = =REFERENCESArguing Agile 201: Mastering Stakeholder Communication and ManagementArguing Agile 205: Debating Impact versus Visibility in Product ManagementArguing Agile 123: PRDsWho Moved My Cheese, Spencer Johnson, 1998Geoffrey Moore, Crossing the Chasm, 1991Working Backwards, Bill Carr & Colin Bryar, 2021The Power/Interest Grid, Eden & Ackermann, 1998= = = = = = = = = = = =LINKS Arguing Agile: http://arguingagile.comYouTube: https://youtu.be/MEKYApOb4xcSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

BONUS: Maria Chec Explores the Divide Between Agile Leaders and Practitioners In this BONUS episode, we explore Agile leadership with Maria Chec, author and host of Agile State of Mind. Maria shares insights from her analysis of Miro's Agile Survey, revealing a concerning disconnect between how Agile leaders and practitioners experience agile methodologies. We explore the roots of this divide, discuss practical approaches to bridging the gap, and consider the implications of recent industry developments like the PMI-Agile Alliance merger. Maria offers valuable perspectives on creating truly collaborative environments where frameworks serve the teams, not the other way around. The Disconnect Between Leaders and Practitioners "Practitioners feel pressured to comply with agile practices when they don't seem to add value." Maria highlights a stark divide revealed in Miro's survey of 1,200 agile practitioners and leaders. When asked if agile is living up to its original values, leaders and practitioners gave drastically different responses. For example, 69% of practitioners felt processes and tools overshadow individuals in their organizations, while only 43% of leaders shared this view. Similarly, 58% of practitioners believed documentation was prioritized over delivering final products, compared to just 39% of leaders. These disparities point to a fundamental disconnect in how agile is experienced at different organizational levels, with practitioners often feeling frameworks are imposed rather than collaboratively implemented. When Frameworks Become the Problem "The framework is too rigid... The framework is too complex... We have to change too much to use the framework." The issue isn't with agile frameworks themselves but how they're applied, Maria argues. Leaders often implement frameworks like SAFe without sufficient practitioner input or adaptation to organizational context. This creates an anti-pattern of "magical thinking" where companies believe they can install off-the-shelf solutions that worked elsewhere without considering their unique circumstances. The practitioners, who must live with these frameworks daily, experience frustration when rigid implementations fail to address their actual needs. Conway's Law comes into play here – the structure imposed by leadership often doesn't align with how teams naturally need to collaborate based on the systems they're building. The Role of Psychological Safety "Can I really admit that something the leadership made me do is not working for me? Will I be the only one admitting it?" This disconnect reveals deeper issues around psychological safety and trust within organizations. Many practitioners fear speaking up about framework problems, especially when they've just endured yet another organizational transformation. Maria emphasizes that without psychological safety, feedback loops break down, preventing the continuous improvement that's central to agile philosophy. Leaders must create environments where teams feel safe to provide honest feedback about what's working and what isn't, without fear of being singled out or dismissed. Without this safety, frameworks become rigid implementations rather than adaptable approaches that evolve with team needs. Reconnecting Through Gemba Walks "Be there where the value is created and know what's going on." To bridge the gap between leadership vision and practitioner reality, Maria strongly recommends Gemba walks – a concept from Lean and Toyota where leaders go to where value is created. This practice helps leaders understand the actual work being done and build relationships with team members. Maria references Project Aristotle at Google, which found that trust and psychological safety are fundamental to team success. She also notes the importance of leaders articulating a meaningful mission to inspire teams, sharing her experience at a taxi-hailing app where the CEO's vision of reducing urban parking needs made her feel she was "building something for the future." Leaders should regularly spend time where the actual work happens Teams need to understand how their work contributes to a larger purpose Open communication channels must be genuine, not just symbolic In this segment, we refer to Management 3.0 and Managing For Happiness by Jurgen Appelo.  The PMI-Agile Alliance Merger and the Future of Agile "Have we really found better ways? Why are Agile Alliance and PMI merging?" The recent merger between the Project Management Institute and Agile Alliance represents a surprising development in the industry. Maria takes an optimistic view, wondering if this indicates PMI recognizing that agile is truly the way forward. She acknowledges the perception that "Agile is dead" discussions highlight a crisis in the movement, but suggests the merger might be an opportunity to influence project management with agile values. She emphasizes how AI is creating massive changes that require experimentation and adaptation – precisely what agile approaches enable. This industry shift offers agile practitioners the chance to shape how traditional and agile methodologies might complement each other in the future. The merger could be seen as closing a circle or as an opportunity for cross-pollination "Agile is dead" discussions reflect growing pains rather than true failure Rapid technological changes with AI require more experimentation, not less Breaking Down Silos with "Glue Roles" "What are the 'glue roles' that you need in your organization?" Maria introduces her concept of "glue roles" – positions that help break down silos and foster collaboration regardless of what they're called. Whether they're RTEs (Release Train Engineers), Agile Coaches, or Technical Project Managers, these roles can transform organizational effectiveness when focused on enabling teams rather than enforcing processes. She observes that nature constantly changes, yet we expect our companies to remain static. This mindset prevents the adaptation necessary for true agility. Instead, organizations need individuals who can facilitate communication, remove barriers, and help teams collaborate effectively across boundaries. Focus on the function of collaboration rather than rigid role definitions Adapt roles to organizational needs rather than forcing organizational change to fit frameworks Use these roles to foster psychological safety and open communication Learning Through Experimentation "We need to experiment." Looking toward the future, Maria emphasizes the importance of experimentation in the face of rapid technological change, particularly with AI. She notes that while tech professionals are often thought to be early adopters, AI tools like ChatGPT are being embraced across all industries. The accelerating pace of change means we can no longer plan years ahead with certainty – what we use today may be obsolete in two years. This reality makes agile approaches even more relevant, as they embrace change rather than fight it. She encourages agile practitioners to openly discuss how they use these new tools, adapting their practices rather than clinging to outdated methods. The accelerating pace of change makes long-term planning increasingly difficult AI is already transforming work across all industries, not just tech Agile principles of adaptation and experimentation are more relevant than ever About Maria Chec Maria Chec is a seasoned Agile leader, ProKanban Trainer, and creator of Agile State of Mind. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in transforming teams through SAFe, OKRs, and process optimization, achieving remarkable productivity gains. Maria's mission is empowering teams to thrive through collaboration and adaptability. You can link with Maria Chec on LinkedIn and subscribe to Maria Chec's Substack.

We're listening to each and every painful, cringeworthy word from Jamie Dimon's recent rant about remote work. Join Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel and Product Manager Brian Orlando as they explore the tension between command-and-control management and outcome-based leadership. Stick around as they argue (against and on behalf of) CEO of JP Morgan Chase, Dimon's frustration with work-from-home culture and clear issues with his leadership, trust, and organizational effectiveness, regardless of work location.Along the way, we also discuss:The Metrics Trap: When Efficiency Overshadows EffectivenessDistributed Teams/Cultures: Building Sponsorship and MentorshipBottlenecking: Decision-Making Funnels in Large OrganizationsYou Can't Fake Trust: Creating Cultures of Empowerment#Leadership #RemoteWork #ProductManagementremote work, leadership, organizational culture, Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase, team effectiveness, decision-making, agile leadership, product management, trust in leadership, hybrid work, team empowerment, accountability, strategic leadershipLINKS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arguingagileSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Website: http://arguingagile.com

Yuval Yeret, founder of Yeret Agility and OG Agile expert, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the current state of Agile as a platform, how it has evolved over the years, and what practitioners should consider when pivoting their careers as the platform matures.About YuvalYuval Yeret is a Product/Scaling/Agility Coach focused on helping product/tech leaders scale their organizations without slowing down, improving outcomes by leveraging flow, agility, and product orientation. (while avoiding the dogma and process BS of Agile Theater). Yuval is a globally recognized expert on scaling w/ agility, a SAFe Fellow, a Professional Scrum Trainer, and a co-author of the Kanban Guide for Scrum Teams. These days Yuval is focused on helping organizations evolve from Feature Factories to Empowered Product Organizations, as well as helping deeper tech organizations develop a pragmatic agility strategy. Yuval shares his insights on scaling w/ agility at https://yuvalyeret.com/scaling-with-agility-newsletter/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:17) - Yuval's Background and Journey into Agile (01:35) - Early Days of Agile (03:56) - Transition to Consulting and Coaching (07:21) - Agile's Evolution and Current State (09:46) - Challenges and Criticisms of Agile (17:30) - Future of Agile and Role Adaptation (22:18) - Advice for Agile Practitioners (30:22) - Reflecting on Agile Leadership (31:24) - Anecdote: Transition from FileMaker to Web Development (34:57) - The Future of Agile and Product Operating Models (39:20) - Adapting Skills for New Opportunities (41:48) - Navigating Organizational Change (44:47) - Strategies for Career Pivoting (48:01) - The Role of Scrum Masters in Modern Organizations (52:00) - Consulting and Value Proposition (57:55) - Closing Thoughts and Resources Notable Quotes"What happened over the years is... agile has become mainstream for most of corporate America, technology organizations and product companies. And this created the reality where the people that are, the organizations that are currently adopting agile are the late adopters.""[Late adopters] are slapping names like Scrum Master and Sprint and User Story and Daily Scrum... on the way that they've been doing things already. And it's like lipstick on a pig. It's not really creating any impact other than a bad name for Agile and a bad name for people in these roles.""The biggest issue with Agile... is the over-reliance on specific roles in organizations.""We will have a significantly smaller number of people that dedicate their career to something like agile, whatever it's called. You will need to specialize. You will need to start to think like consultants need to start to think and build your content solar system."Yuval's Links and Other ResourcesYuval's article on "The Future of Agile Roles and Agility"Yuval's private podcast on navigating the landscape of Agile theater, feature factories, and product operating models"Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey Moore (book on technology adoption)Netflix culture book (featuring the "Netflix question")The career mini-course that Jonathan mentioned: Unblock Your Career by Shachar Meir ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Zvonimir Durcevic: From Command to Collaboration, An Agile Leadership Team's Transformation Story Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Zvonimir discusses his experience supporting a leadership team transitioning from a traditional command-and-control management style to a more collaborative approach involving people in change decisions. Drawing from EDGE Theory of Change (based on Arnold Mendel's work) and Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) training, Zvone helped the leadership team understand what awaited them on the "other side" of this transformation. Through multiple half-day coaching sessions, he guided them in defining their new leadership identity and developing self-reflection skills. A critical element of this work was creating a conflict protocol that allowed leaders to discuss different perspectives constructively. Zvone emphasizes the importance of helping teams create a "third identity" – a new collective self that emerges through transformation. Self-reflection Question: What elements of your current leadership identity would you need to let go of to embrace a more collaborative approach to change? [Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Heute im Fokus: Agiles Theater – Wenn Partizipation nur gespielt istIn vielen Organisationen wird Agilität eingeführt – neue Rollen, neue Prozesse, neue Begriffe. Doch oft bleibt alles beim Alten. Entscheidungen werden weiter zentral getroffen, echte Mitgestaltung bleibt aus. Das Ergebnis: Frustration, Misstrauen und eine Organisation im Stillstand.In unserer heutigen Case-Clinic-Folge sprechen Armin Ziesemer und Thomas Böhlefeld über eine anonyme Fallzuschrift aus der Praxis: Ein Unternehmen, das auf Agilität setzt – zumindest auf dem Papier. Hinter dem Vorhang bleibt alles wie vorher. Agiles Theater eben.Im Zentrum steht die Frage:

Heute im Fokus: Agiles Theater – Wenn Partizipation nur gespielt istIn vielen Organisationen wird Agilität eingeführt – neue Rollen, neue Prozesse, neue Begriffe. Doch oft bleibt alles beim Alten. Entscheidungen werden weiter zentral getroffen, echte Mitgestaltung bleibt aus. Das Ergebnis: Frustration, Misstrauen und eine Organisation im Stillstand.In unserer heutigen Case-Clinic-Folge sprechen Armin Ziesemer und Thomas Böhlefeld über eine anonyme Fallzuschrift aus der Praxis: Ein Unternehmen, das auf Agilität setzt – zumindest auf dem Papier. Hinter dem Vorhang bleibt alles wie vorher. Agiles Theater eben.Im Zentrum steht die Frage:

Heute im Fokus: Agiles Theater – Wenn Partizipation nur gespielt istIn vielen Organisationen wird Agilität eingeführt – neue Rollen, neue Prozesse, neue Begriffe. Doch oft bleibt alles beim Alten. Entscheidungen werden weiter zentral getroffen, echte Mitgestaltung bleibt aus. Das Ergebnis: Frustration, Misstrauen und eine Organisation im Stillstand.In unserer heutigen Case-Clinic-Folge sprechen Armin Ziesemer und Thomas Böhlefeld über eine anonyme Fallzuschrift aus der Praxis: Ein Unternehmen, das auf Agilität setzt – zumindest auf dem Papier. Hinter dem Vorhang bleibt alles wie vorher. Agiles Theater eben.Im Zentrum steht die Frage:

In this Ask a PST session, Professional Scrum Trainer Mary Iqbal answers questions around the principles of Agile Leadership, offering actionable insights for fostering collaboration, enabling self-managing teams, and driving organizational success in a fast-paced, complex world.

Send us a textIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock dive into the nuances of intake funnels and definitions of ready—key concepts for ensuring work progresses effectively. They explore how traditional project delivery mindsets differ from product-driven approaches, emphasizing the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and decision points that prevent wasted effort.From setting clear entry criteria to measuring throughput and pivoting when needed, they break down how teams can structure their workflows to prioritize value-driven outcomes. Whether you're refining your backlog, managing stakeholder expectations, or optimizing delivery processes, this episode provides practical insights to help you navigate uncertainty while keeping momentum.This week´s takeaways: Clear intake process – Define criteria to assess idea readiness before execution.Product vs. project mindset – Embrace uncertainty and pivot as needed.Measure progress – Use checkpoints and throughput tracking to prioritize work.Tune in to learn how to balance discipline with flexibility and ensure your work moves forward with intention!

BONUS: Beyond Process, How Psychology is Reshaping Modern Leadership with Ari-Pekka Skarp In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of Agile leadership with Ari-Pekka Skarp, an experienced Agile Coach, Psychotherapist, and Organizational Psychologist. Drawing from his unique blend of expertise, Ari-Pekka shares his lessons learned on how leadership has transformed over the past decades and what the future holds for Agile organizations. The Evolution of Agile and Social Complexity "We replaced authority with collaboration, this was revolutionary." The journey of Agile adoption over the past 16 years has been marked by two significant developments: technological advancement and increasing social complexity. Ari-Pekka reflects on how Scrum introduced a revolutionary "shared" aspect of collaborative work, fundamentally changing how hierarchies are established in modern organizations. This shift represents a departure from traditional command-and-control structures towards more collaborative approaches. The Therapeutic Turn in Leadership "Nowadays we are almost talking about the leaders as some sort of therapist." One of the most significant shifts in organizational dynamics has been the "therapeutic turn" in leadership. Where leaders were once expected to be commanders, today's leaders must embody the qualities of a therapist - demonstrating empathy, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of their team members' well-being. This transformation reflects broader societal changes, with mental health awareness becoming increasingly central to workplace dynamics. The Rise of Humanistic Leadership "We need a more humanistic leadership, but what does that look like in practice?" As organizations become more networked and complex, the need for humanistic leadership approaches becomes evident. Ari-Pekka shares his experience as an organizational psychologist, highlighting how traditional role definitions often fall short in addressing modern workplace challenges. The integration of tools from family therapy and other psychological disciplines is becoming crucial for effective leadership. The Future of Organizations "In order to compete you have to have a very well functioning organization!" Looking ahead, Ari-Pekka emphasizes the importance of viewing organizations through a psychological lens. He argues that organizational mental health culture and the psychological aspects of work are becoming critical competitive advantages. This perspective extends beyond processes and tools to encompass the holistic growth and well-being of people within organizations. A New Paradigm for Work "The biggest change was from a mechanistic world-view to a more humanistic world-view." As Agile evolves beyond its origins as a protest movement, Ari-Pekka explores how organizations are increasingly forming around purposes rather than just profits. He advocates for generative planning processes that foster creativity and human flourishing, suggesting a shift toward viewing work and organizations as social processes rather than mechanical systems. Leading Through Conversations "Why don't we look at work, organizations as social processes?" The conversation concludes with a powerful metaphor of leaders as gardeners, nurturing growth and development through meaningful conversations. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how we think about leadership and organizational development, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where people can thrive. In this segment, we refer to the work of Esko Kilpi, a thought leader and business philosopher who helped introduce complexity to the Agile community. About Ari-Pekka Skarp Ari-Pekka is a highly experienced Agile Coach, Psychotherapist, and Organizational Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with organizations. As an author of several books on topics such as Complexity, the mind, and Mindfulness, Ari-Pekka blends deep psychological insight with practical expertise to help leaders and teams navigate the evolving landscape of work. You can link with Ari-Pekka on LinkedIn and connect with Ari-Pekka on Twitter.

If communicating with stakeholders on a regular basis is part of your work and you're looking to improve your stakeholder management skills, this is your podcast. We promise you'll learn practical strategies for effective stakeholder management that you can start using TODAY - or your money back!!!Join Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel as we use the Power-Interest grid to layout an actionable framework for communicating with different stakeholder groups. #ProductManagement #StakeholderCommunication #AgileLeadershipReferences:Stakeholder Management Tips for Product People by Roman Pichler, 2020: https://www.romanpichler.com/blog/stakeholder-management-tips-for-product-people/Getting Stakeholder Engagement Right by Roman Pichler, 2015: https://www.romanpichler.com/blog/stakeholder-engagement-analysis-power-interest-grid/Making Strategy, The Journey of Strategic Management by Colin Eden & Fran Ackermann, 1998Arguing Agile #198 - Better Communication: Mastering Crucial Conversations: https://youtu.be/KgmnrkbNA8I= = = = = = = = = = = =YouTube= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1Applehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Chris Herzberger lebt und arbeitet als digitaler Impulsgeber in Tokio und verantwortet als Country Manager die digitale Agenda von IKEA Japan.Mit Olli & Martin spricht er über die Frage, wie europäische Unternehmen mit höherem Tempo und stärkerer Kundenorientierung digitale Wachstumsstrategien verfolgen können.Chris hat für globale Unternehmen wie Mercedes-Benz oder Nestlé im asiatischen Raum digitale Initiativen geleitet und weiß, was es heißt, Märkte zu verstehen, in denen Innovationstempo und Präzision eng miteinander verwoben sind. Seine Erfahrungen zeigen, warum Mobile Payment, Plattformdenken und Omnichannel in Asien längst zum Standard gehören – und wie Europa bei Geschwindigkeit und Fokus noch aufholen kann.Key Takeaways:→ mit schnellen Iterationen und geringer Fehlerscheu echte Wirkung erzielen→ Omnichannel radikal vom Kundenbedarf aus denken→ wenige, klare Ziele definieren – und sie fokussiert umsetzenMit freundlicher Unterstützung von PAYBACK.LinkedIn:→ Chris Herzberger→ Olli Busch→ Martin Boeing-MessingKeywords: Growth Strategy, Iteration, Agile Leadership, Lean Execution, Speed Culture, Fehlerkultur, OKRs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Do This, Not That, host Jay Schwedelson welcomes Taylor Raffa, the mass email team lead at Semrush, to discuss agile leadership and creating an engaging work environment.

158/030 Best of: Katharina Krentz started her career as an assistant and climbed up the ladder fast. She now works as Corporate Human Resources Transformation Team & Collaboration Crew at Bosch in Germany. She is a vocal ambassador when it comes to New Work, Working out Loud and Female Leadership. A woman full of energy and many talents. I enjoyed the talk with her a lot and I know you will as well. Get to know the world around Working out Loud - get to know the wonderful Katharina Krentz. Make sure you leave us a comment. Thank you, Diana xoxo   Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/ The Future Assistant Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter Contact: podcast@the-socialista-projects.com

CTO Series: How Open Strategy and Agile Practices Drive Success at NorthCode With Ismo Aro   In this BONUS episode, we sit down with Ismo Aro, CTO and partner at NorthCode, to delve into the transformative power of Open Strategy in the tech world. Ismo shares his journey from corporate roles at Nokia and Ericsson to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, and he unpacks how his approach to leadership evolved with the rise of agile methodologies, test automation, and cloud transformation. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to modernize their company's strategy and foster a culture of transparency and co-ownership. Pivotal Career Moments: From Waterfall to Agile Mindset   “When I joined the agile pilot team, it felt like discovering the way software development should always be done—release early, get feedback fast, and improve continuously.”   Ismo reflects on his early days at Nokia, where he began as a test engineer in a traditional waterfall environment. He describes how the shift to agile methodologies transformed the way teams communicated and collaborated. When he joined a pilot project for Scrum, he realized the value of fast feedback loops and early releases. This experience laid the foundation for his future focus on continuous integration and test automation.   Key Takeaway: Adopting agile frameworks can improve workflows by shortening feedback loops and promoting direct communication. The Essence of Open Strategy “Open Strategy means involving everyone in shaping the direction of the company—not just receiving updates but truly co-creating the future.”   At NorthCode, Open Strategy is a cornerstone of their operations. Ismo explains how they empower employees by making strategy-building a transparent and collaborative process. The company's structure includes a parent company and subsidiaries where employees are also co-owners. Revenue-sharing ensures that when the business succeeds, everyone benefits directly.   Key Elements of Open Strategy: Transparency: Strategy is made visible through a kanban board and KPIs accessible to all. Ownership: Subsidiary team members can own up to 80% of their company. Profit-sharing: 80% of client revenue goes to the subsidiary, and dividends are shared annually.   “By aligning incentives and opening up the strategy process, you create a culture where employees don't just work for you—they work with you.” How Open Strategy Unfolds Annually “We make ideas visible and let them evolve until they're ready for execution.”   Ismo outlines the company's approach to strategy using a high-level roadmap and clear metrics to track progress. The focus is on organic growth through subsidiaries, with a benchmark of starting a new subsidiary once a team reaches 20 people. The company also uses “business spikes”—short, low-cost experiments to test new ideas.   Practical Tip: A business spike allows you to explore an idea quickly without committing significant resources, making it easier to pivot when necessary. Navigating Challenges in Open Strategy “Some people want to co-create, while others prefer to focus on their work—and both are valid.”   Ismo acknowledges that not everyone in the organization is equally interested in strategic discussions, and that's okay. Open Strategy doesn't require everyone to participate equally—it provides opportunities for involvement at different levels. The key is fostering an environment where insights and information flow freely from the ground up, rather than top-down mandates.   Key Insight: Open Strategy thrives when participation is voluntary and inclusive, rather than forced. Measuring Success: KPIs and Transparency “We believe in showing our utilization rates openly because our people have a stake in the results.”   To measure success, NorthCode tracks KPIs such as revenue, profit, and utilization rates. Unlike traditional consulting companies that keep these metrics private, NorthCode shares them openly to build trust and foster a sense of ownership. Monthly meetings focus on tactical updates, while strategic sessions aim to inspire employees to contribute ideas for the company's future.   Fun Practice: The “nightmare competitor” exercise encourages the team to imagine an ideal competitor and then adopt some of their hypothetical best practices into NorthCode's strategy.   “When people can see the metrics that matter, they're more motivated to take ownership of their impact.” Inspiration from Open Strategy and Business Agility “We take concepts from corporate books and tailor them to fit our context as a growing, agile company.” Ismo cites two key books that shaped his thinking: Open Strategy and The 6 Enablers of Business Agility. However, he emphasizes the importance of adapting corporate-level concepts to suit smaller, more agile organizations. He believes that while agile is mainstream in software development, many companies remain rigid in their overall strategy.   Recommended Reads: Open Strategy: Mastering Disruption from Outside the C-Suite by Stadler et al. The 6 Enablers of Business Agility by Harbott   Key Reflection: Ismo's approach underscores the importance of agility not just in software but in company operations and strategy-making.   Final Tip: Embrace modern tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) to streamline workflows—but remember, they enhance your work, not replace it.   About Ismo Aro Ismo Aro is the CTO and partner at NorthCode, specializing in software development and workflow modernization. With experience at Nokia and Ericsson, he has held various roles, from test engineer to entrepreneur. Ismo co-founded NorthCode after selling a previous company and also served as Chairman of the Robot Framework Foundation, contributing to the growth of the widely used open-source test automation framework.   You can link with Ismo Aro on LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Omar Ahmed, a Scrum Master from the UK, shares his inspiring journey from a mechanical engineering background to becoming a Scrum Master. Starting in a defense company with a waterfall-driven culture, Omar recounts how a pivotal encounter during a continuous improvement course introduced him to Scrum.Omar dives into the challenges of transitioning to agile practices, emphasizing the critical roles of team empowerment, psychological safety, and staying true to personal values. He reflects on balancing career aspirations with serving his team and offers valuable advice for new Scrum Masters, including the importance of resilience, networking, and leading organizational change.Omar also discusses his current role in a defense and aerospace organization undergoing a top-down agile transformation, showcasing the impact of strong leadership support. Tune in for insights, lessons, and encouragement for navigating the rewarding path of a Scrum Master.

Are fractional executives the future of leadership in tech startups? In this episode of Arguing Agile, Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel unpack the growing trend of fractional CXOs. We explore the benefits and trade-offs of hiring part-time executives, including:Access to high-level expertise and cross-industry experienceConsiderations for small and medium-sized businessesChallenges in building trust and managing multiple teamsRed flags to watch out for when hiring fractional CXOsThe importance of domain knowledge and product lifecycle understandingBalancing executive skills with hands-on product management experienceWatch or listen to learn how to identify red flags and make informed decisions when considering fractional leadership roles.#FractionalCXO #StartupLeadership #ProductManagement #AgileLeadership #TechIndustryTrends #OrganizationalStrategy #ProductInnovation #TechConsulting #StartupAdvice #ArguingAgile= = = = = = = = = = = =YouTube: https://youtu.be/PSiNQS0flJM= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1Applehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3AA197 - The Rise of Fractional CXOs: Pros, Cons, and Red Flags= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Derek Ferguson from The Fitch Group returns to share how his team of 600+ developers leverages generative AI tools like Amazon's CodeWhisperer and implements DORA metrics to boost productivity and team health. In this second part of the conversation, he delves into the transformative impact of these tools and the innovative strategies driving adoption and success at scale. Listen to Derek's experiences in introducing cutting-edge tools to a large organization, his lessons in fostering experimentation, and the surprising parallels between today's AI adoption and the internet boom. From the role of community practices versus centers of excellence to pragmatic advice on technology adoption, this episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders and developers alike. Stick around for Derek's perspective on the evolving role of technologists in an AI-driven world and how music creation intersects with his tech expertise. Inside the episode… • Exploring generative AI for software development and its transformative potential. • Implementing DORA metrics to boost productivity and enhance team alignment. • Lessons learned from scaling technology practices across large organizations. • The balance between prescriptive guidance and fostering creativity in teams. • Insights into creating impactful developer communities of practice. Mentioned in this episode • Generative AI tools (e.g., Amazon's CodeWhisperer) • DORA metrics (DevOps Research and Assessment) • Tools for music and tech crossover (e.g., RipX, Replicate) Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow.   Follow the Pod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/ X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence Instagram: @podconvergence  

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Mind Your Leadership podcast! This week, we are honored to host Nigel Thurlow, Toyota's first Chief of Agile and co-creator of the Flow System. With years of experience in Agile and Lean methodologies, Nigel shares invaluable insights into how organizations can move beyond profit-driven models to create human-centered workplaces. Our conversation explores the role of leadership in fostering agility, collaboration, and self-management, as well as the paradigm shift needed to balance people, planet, and profit. The Paradigm Shift: People, Planet, and Profit Nigel Thurlow emphasizes that true agility is not about rigid frameworks or checklists; it's about behaviors, attitudes, and interactions. He discusses the urgent need for organizations to adopt a new paradigm that balances people, planet, and profit. This shift, he explains, is crucial for creating sustainable and thriving workplaces that attract and retain top talent. Nigel highlights the role of human-centered leadership in driving this change, emphasizing that leaders must create environments where employees feel valued, safe, and empowered to innovate and grow. The Flow System: A New Approach to Business Agility As the co-creator of the Flow System, Nigel introduces this approach as a next-generation framework for achieving business agility. Unlike traditional methods, the Flow System focuses on the interconnectedness of systems, teams, and individuals. It prioritizes psychological safety, open communication, and collaboration to enable organizations to adapt and thrive in complex environments. Nigel shares real-world examples of how the Flow System has been implemented to foster agility, improve team dynamics, and achieve sustainable success. Lessons in Leadership and Followership Leadership, according to Nigel, is about enabling others to grow and succeed. He discusses the importance of self-leadership as a foundation for guiding others effectively. Leaders must focus on creating environments that allow team members to step into leadership roles themselves, fostering a culture of mutual trust and accountability. Nigel also touches on the often-overlooked concept of followership, explaining how it plays a critical role in driving collaboration and achieving organizational goals. Practical Takeaways for Leaders Throughout the episode, Nigel shares actionable insights for leaders looking to embrace agility and humanize their workplaces: - Agility is rooted in behaviors and attitudes, not just methodologies. - Creating psychological safety is essential for fostering innovation. - Leaders must incentivize behaviors that align with organizational values. - Understanding workflows and processes is key to driving improvement. - Communication and collaboration are the foundation of effective agile environments. Conclusion Our conversation with Nigel Thurlow offers a powerful call to action for leaders to rethink traditional approaches and embrace agility as a mindset. By creating humanized workplaces that prioritize people, planet, and profit, organizations can achieve sustainable success and enable their teams to thrive. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mind Your Leadership podcast. Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations with thought leaders who are reshaping the future of work. Full Bio: Nigel Thurlow is Toyota's first Chief of Agile and the co-creator of the Flow System, a pioneering approach to business agility. With a background in Lean and Agile methodologies, Nigel is a sought-after speaker, coach, and consultant who has worked with organizations worldwide to implement human-centered leadership practices. He is passionate about creating workplaces where people are empowered to grow, collaborate, and innovate.

BONUS: Marshall Goldsmith on Leadership, AI, and Coaching for the Future In this BONUS episode, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the world-renowned leadership coach and bestselling author, shares transformative insights into leadership, coaching, and how AI is reshaping the future of these fields. With over 3 million books sold and recognition as the #1 leadership thinker globally, Marshall takes us on a journey through his career, his new AI project, and practical lessons for leaders at all levels. From Situational Leadership to Coaching Titans Marshall shares the pivotal moments that launched his career in leadership coaching. From collaborating with Paul Hersey on Situational Leadership to developing his revolutionary coaching model, Marshall shares how aligning his methods with results-driven outcomes has shaped his approach. “I always get paid after the results. This keeps the focus where it belongs—on the client's success, not mine.” Counterintuitive Lessons in Leadership Winning too much, overcompetitiveness, and making coaching about the leader instead of the team—Marshall uncovers the surprising obstacles that hold even top leaders back. He highlights the importance of working with great people and the discipline to focus on their growth over personal validation. And Marshall shares an insight that is critical for Scrum Masters: “Leadership isn't about proving yourself; it's about helping others succeed.” Coaching Global Leaders: The Process Having coached CEOs of companies like Pfizer, Ford, and Walmart, as well as global influencers, Marshall dives into his coaching process. He explains the importance of courage, humility, and discipline and introduces how his new AI bot enhances his coaching framework with over 3 million words of distilled leadership wisdom. “Great coaching starts with great clients. My process is about helping them achieve their potential, not mine.” The Birth of MarshallGoldsmith.AI Marshall's desire to give back led to the creation of MarshallGoldsmith.AI, a free tool designed to democratize access to leadership wisdom. We explore how the bot leverages AI for knowledge-sharing, its inherent biases, and how it's being used in real coaching scenarios. “My goal is simple: help as many people as possible by sharing everything I've learned.” How AI Will Revolutionize Leadership Looking forward, Marshall shares his vision for how AI will reshape learning and coaching. He believes AI will accelerate knowledge sharing, making insights immediately accessible and creating new opportunities for thought leaders to amplify their impact. “The future of coaching lies in immediate access to transformative ideas—AI makes this possible.” Lessons for Scrum Masters MarshallGoldsmith.AI even has advice for Agile practitioners! When asked about lessons for Scrum Masters, the bot highlighted three key principles: focus on collaboration, prioritize feedback without judgment, and build team resilience. “Listen, thank people, don't judge, and focus on actionable steps forward.” Parting Words of Advice Marshall leaves us with a timeless reflection: “Imagine you're near the end of your life and can offer one piece of advice to your younger self. What would it be? Live that advice today.” About Dr. Marshall Goldsmith Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Ranked as the #1 leadership thinker by Thinkers50 and the #1 executive coach in the world for over a decade, Marshall has coached top leaders, including CEOs of global corporations, world leaders, and visionary thinkers. In addition to his coaching work, Marshall is pioneering the integration of AI in leadership with MarshallGoldsmith.AI, a free tool to democratize access to his decades of expertise. You can link with Dr. Marshall Goldsmith on LinkedIn and connect with him on Twitter.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Andreas Whitla, a Scrum Master from Germany, shares his inspiring journey from transforming an economically troubled hospital with Agile principles to working with diverse organizations across the globe.Andreas reflects on key lessons for Scrum Masters, including:Balancing learning with delivery to foster team growth.Navigating cultural differences and managing conflicts effectively.Leveraging tools from unexpected fields, like couples therapy, to enhance team dynamics.He also offers actionable advice for new Scrum Masters, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge, recognizing team strengths, and creating a personal backlog for continuous improvement.Tune in for an engaging conversation on the creative and impactful aspects of Scrum Mastery!

Success as a platform PM requires both technical depth and exceptional emotional intelligence to navigate complex organizational dynamics...That goes double if you work in banking or finance!In this episode of Arguing Agile, Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel and Product Manager Brian Orlando read and respond to a question from a listener who is a platform product managers at a Bank.Getting into the nitty-gritty of platform how-to's, this episode is perfect for product managers, agile coaches, and technology leaders working in traditional industries looking to modernize their approach to platform management!As industries embrace digital transformation (err... product operating model), platform product managers face unique challenges, including: How to effectively manage cross-functional relationships in siloed environmentsStrategies for prioritizing platform features that deliver organization-wide valueTips for reducing cognitive load across teamsWays to build trust and showcase value as a platform teamCreate value through standardization without weaponizing itBuild effective cross-functional relationships#ProductManagement #TeamTopologies #PlatformTeam #AgileLeadership #Banking #TechLeadership #ProductDevelopment #AgileCoaching= = = = = = = = = = = =Watch it on YouTube= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ee3506fc-38f2-46d1-a301-79681c55ed82/Agile-Podcast= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Aliona Zapanovici: Overcoming Dogmatic Approaches in Agile Leadership and Helping Agile Teams Embrace Change Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Aliona shares her early experience as a Scrum Master, marked by an initial misunderstanding of leadership without authority. Feeling out of place and defensive when faced with team resistance, she soon recognized that true transformation requires observation, curiosity, and gradual change. Her dogmatic approach led to challenges, but she learned valuable lessons: answer team questions, observe their interactions, and seek mentorship. These insights shaped her path from initial failure to becoming an empowering leader. Self-reflection Question: Have you ever approached a team with assumptions that you later had to change? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

In this episode of the E-commerce Toolbox: Expert Perspectives podcast, host Kailin Noivo interviews Dileep Marway, VP of Engineering and Technology at AND Digital. Dileep shares insights from his diverse career journey, beginning with a degree in pharmacy and transitioning to computer science, where he discovered his passion for aligning technology with people. He discusses his experiences at organizations like The Economist and SHL, emphasizing the importance of cultural transformation in tech-driven environments. Dileep also explains how a people-centric approach enhances digital transformation, improves team dynamics, and ultimately drives business success. Tune in as he explores the critical balance between cultural and digital transformation, the role of leadership in fostering innovation, and the challenges businesses face in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

BONUS: Unlocking the Secrets to Thriving Workplaces and Agile Leadership with Vasco Duarte In this insightful BONUS episode, Vasco Duarte is interviewed by Bill Fox for an episode on the Forward Thinking Workplaces Podcast. Vasco is a visionary leader in agile and lean software development. Vasco shares his revolutionary approach to fostering innovation, creating dynamic workplaces, and leading teams to success. His strategies are designed for leaders looking to elevate their organizations by focusing on people, purpose, and efficient work processes. Tune in for practical advice on how to unlock your team's full potential and thrive in today's fast-paced work environment. Creating Environments for Natural Innovation “Innovation is a natural human quality; it flourishes when you don't make an effort to prevent it.” Vasco emphasizes that innovation isn't something leaders need to force. Instead, it happens organically when the right environment is in place. He encourages leaders to shift away from rigid structures and towards creating motivating spaces where creativity can thrive. By doing this, teams naturally become more innovative and solutions-driven. “The only way innovation does not happen naturally is if we make an effort to prevent it from happening.” Motivated Individuals: The Key to Project Success “Build your projects around motivated individuals and trust them to deliver their best.” Vasco highlights the importance of centering projects around motivated individuals, giving them the trust and support they need to succeed. According to him, leaders should focus on empowering people, unleashing their full potential. When teams feel trusted and valued, they bring more energy and creativity to their work. “If you trust people and give them the space to perform, they will achieve things you didn't expect.” The Power of Community and Purpose “Aligning purpose with autonomy and mastery leads to engaged and high-performing teams.” Drawing from Dan Pink's model of autonomy, mastery, and purpose, Vasco stresses the role of community and clear purpose in building engaged teams. He explains how people are naturally motivated when they understand the purpose of their work and have the freedom to master their skills. This alignment creates a strong sense of belonging and shared goals within the team. “When people have a sense of community and purpose, they bring their best selves to work.” Defining Boundaries to Foster Innovation “Clear boundaries create a flexible framework where innovation can thrive.” Vasco believes that well-defined boundaries are essential to encouraging innovation. Far from being restrictive, these boundaries offer a structured yet flexible framework that helps teams feel secure while exploring new ideas. When teams know the limits but also have room to experiment, they perform better and innovate faster. “Boundaries are not barriers; they provide the structure that allows innovation to flow freely.” Streamlining Processes with "#NoEstimates" “Focus on delivering value efficiently by reducing waste in your processes.” One of Vasco's most transformative ideas is his “No Estimates” approach to software development, which encourages focusing on value and reducing waste. This method ensures that teams spend their time wisely, enhancing productivity without the guesswork of traditional estimations. It's all about respecting everyone's time and effort while delivering maximum value. “Stop wasting time on estimates and start focusing on delivering real value to your customers.” Leadership Aligned with Employee Purpose “Leaders must understand and align with the purposes of their employees to drive team success.” Vasco shares valuable leadership advice, urging leaders to connect with their team members on a deeper level. By understanding employees' individual purposes and goals, leaders can foster more meaningful and productive collaborations. Open communication is key to building cohesive, high-performing teams that are aligned with the organization's vision. “When leaders align with their team's personal goals, they unlock higher levels of performance and engagement.” Real-World Insights from Industry Practitioners “Learning from practitioners in the field brings fresh, actionable insights.” Through his podcast, Vasco shares real-world insights from a wide range of industry practitioners. These stories highlight different approaches and solutions that have been successfully applied in various sectors, providing listeners with diverse perspectives on innovation and agile leadership. “Every practitioner I speak with offers a unique lens on solving the challenges of modern work environments.” About Vasco Duarte Vasco Duarte is an agile thought leader, podcast host, and one of the pioneers behind the “#NoEstimates” movement. With years of experience in lean and agile software development, Vasco helps teams and organizations improve productivity, efficiency, and innovation through dynamic leadership and strategic processes. He is also the host of the Scrum Master Toolbox podcast, where he shares insights from industry practitioners on agile leadership, team dynamics, and efficient workflows. You can link with Vasco Duarte on LinkedIn.

Alexander Senchak, Managing Partner at Duarte Pond Investments, joined Jamie Flinchbaugh on the People Solve Problems podcast to discuss the importance of "meeting the moment" as a leader and innovator. Alex, a management consultant and investor focused on business intelligence and technologies to support performance in the hospitality and higher education sectors, shared his insights on how leaders can adapt to rapidly changing external factors. Alex emphasized the need for leaders to be flexible in their approach, rather than rigidly adhering to pre-established plans. He noted that external factors, often unexpected, are increasingly impacting organizations at all levels. These factors, Alex explained, are not just affecting specific departments but permeating entire organizational cultures and reaching even junior colleagues. This widespread impact makes it crucial for leaders to be prepared to pivot and address challenges that may arise from unexpected quarters. The conversation touched on the concept of having a "playbook" for leaders. Alex suggested that rather than trying to anticipate every possible scenario, leaders should focus on designing principles and understanding their organization's talents and risks. He stressed the importance of being proactive and creative in planning, rather than reactive when situations occur. Alex highlighted the need for clear communication plans and considering who has access to critical information, especially in today's remote work environments. When discussing how to balance core identity with flexibility, Alex pointed out that this balance evolves over time, particularly for growing companies. He advised continually reassessing what constitutes the core business and what emerging revenue streams might become important in the future. Using higher education as an example, Alex illustrated how rapidly changing factors like AI can quickly shift the landscape, making it essential for leaders to constantly reevaluate their core models. On the topic of leadership and vision, Alex shared his perspective as an early-stage investor. He outlined three key factors he considers: the leader, the business idea, and the differentiating technology or angle. Alex noted that while it's rare to find all three in perfect alignment, he typically looks for strong leaders and solid business ideas, as technologies and market differentiators can change rapidly. Alex offered valuable advice for aspiring leaders looking to develop their visionary skills. He emphasized the power of asking questions, suggesting that even when laying out plans, leaders can frame their ideas as questions. This approach, he explained, helps remove barriers and hierarchy, encouraging more open and productive conversations. He recommended exercises like having conversations where each statement is answered with a question, leading to deeper, more substantive discussions. In conclusion, Alex's insights provide a fresh perspective on adaptive leadership in rapidly changing environments. His emphasis on flexibility, continuous reassessment, and the art of asking questions offers valuable guidance for leaders across various sectors. To learn more about Alex's work and insights, visit his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsenchak/.

BONUS: Unlocking High-Performance in Agile Organizations, with Rebecca Homkes In this BONUS episode, strategy expert Rebecca Homkes delves into the core themes of her book Survive Reset Thrive: Leading breakthrough growth strategy in volatile times. With a wealth of experience advising CEOs and serving as a Lecturer at London Business School, Rebecca shares practical advice on how leaders can navigate uncertainty, cultivate internal predictability, and create adaptive, high-performing teams. Whether you're in the software industry or any other fast-paced environment, this conversation offers invaluable insights into leading through change and driving sustainable growth. Reframing Our Response to Uncertainty for Agile Organizations “Uncertainty is the new certainty. Let's not make change bigger than it needs to be.” Rebecca opens with a key premise from her book: the need to reframe our natural response to uncertainty. She challenges the common association between uncertainty and negativity, urging leaders to embrace it as an opportunity for growth. She explains how software industry leaders can guide their teams to view change as a pathway to innovation, rather than a setback. Uncertainty, after all, is a constant, and thriving in volatile times requires a mindset shift towards flexibility and resilience. "Leaders should embrace uncertainty as an opportunity, not a setback. It's about changing the narrative and leading your team to thrive amidst change." Planning for the Future in Agile Contexts “Shift from planning to preparing. Build capabilities to seize opportunities as they emerge.” Rebecca advises against over-reliance on rigid strategic plans. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of building flexibility into long-term strategies—especially in fast-moving industries like software development. Leaders should focus on preparation, enabling their teams to adapt quickly to new opportunities as they arise. She highlights the value of testing beliefs, making small, incremental bets, and staying agile when strategic assumptions change. "Stop focusing on rigid plans. Build preparation into your strategy and be ready to capitalize on unexpected opportunities." Building Internal Predictability “Internal predictability enables teams to navigate chaos. Clarity in decision-making is key.” While adaptability is crucial, Rebecca highlights the importance of internal predictability to create a stable foundation for teams to thrive. This means establishing clear decision-making processes and aligning team goals, so that despite external chaos, there is an internal structure that teams can rely on. She underscores the need for "aligned speed"—the ability to make quick, effective decisions with clarity on who is responsible for each choice. "Adaptability doesn't mean chaos. Build internal predictability by codifying decision-making processes, enabling faster, clearer decisions." The 9 Power Moves in the Agile Framework "Surviving crises requires discipline in execution. The 9 Power Moves provide a playbook." Rebecca shares insights into her "9 Power Moves," a framework designed to help organizations navigate crises. She explains how these moves can be adapted by software companies facing market shifts or project setbacks. Each move offers a practical step leaders can implement to ensure their teams remain agile, focused, and ready to turn challenges into growth opportunities. "To thrive in a crisis, you need a disciplined approach. The 9 Power Moves give leaders a clear playbook for turning adversity into success." Celebrating Experimentation in the Software Industry “If you learn faster, you grow faster. Experimentation is about learning, not failure.” Rebecca emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture that celebrates experimentation, especially in industries like software where innovation drives success. Experimentation is not about failure but about quickly testing assumptions that could impact the company's success. She encourages leaders to create an environment where experimentation is seen as a discipline, supported by clear processes to test new ideas rapidly and cheaply. "Experimentation is about fast learning, not failure. Create a culture where testing assumptions is celebrated as a path to growth." Fostering Shared Context for Cohesive Agile Teams “Communication is not the same as understanding. Focus on simplicity and shared context.” One of the key insights Rebecca shares is the idea that more communication does not necessarily lead to better results. Instead, she stresses the need for shared context among team members. In agile environments, leaders should focus on simplicity, ensuring everyone understands what the organization is trying to achieve and how each person's work ties into that vision. This approach helps maintain alignment and efficiency, especially in cross-functional teams. "More communication doesn't equal better teamwork. Focus on building a shared context to ensure everyone is aligned on goals." Overcoming Leadership Obstacles in Agile Transformation “Take a pause and reassess your beliefs. Don't let past success create blind spots.” Rebecca identifies common leadership traps during Agile transformations, such as overconfidence in past successes. She advises leaders to regularly reassess their beliefs and strategies to avoid stagnation. She also stresses the importance of creating space for strategic conversations, so teams feel aligned and empowered to execute their work within the broader organizational goals. "Avoid leadership traps by regularly reassessing your beliefs. Don't let past success blind you to new realities." Learning from Real-Life Case Studies in Agile Environments “High-performing teams act on beliefs, not just facts. Track your beliefs to learn and adapt faster.” Drawing from real-life case studies from companies like Spotify and Dell, Rebecca shares key lessons for building high-performing teams. She emphasizes the importance of acting on well-tested beliefs and using these as the foundation for strategic decisions. To support this, she suggests using a "belief tracker" to monitor and adapt strategies based on real-time learning and experimentation. "Successful teams don't just rely on facts—they act on beliefs. Use belief trackers to stay agile and learn faster."     About Rebecca Homkes Rebecca Homkes is a strategy expert, advising CEOs and serving as a Lecturer at London Business School. With roles at Duke, BCG University, and as a London School of Economics fellow, she is also a keynote speaker and YPO Faculty Director. Leading fintech accelerators and serving on company boards, she holds a doctorate from LSE and resides in Miami, San Francisco, and London. Rebecca is the author of Survive Reset Thrive: Leading breakthrough growth strategy in volatile times. You can link with Rebecca Homkes on LinkedIn.

CTO Series: From Team Lead to CEO, Leadership Challenges and Growth with Alex Schladebeck In this BONUS episode, we hear from Alex Schladebeck, CEO and Quality Advocate at BREDEX GmbH. Alex shares her journey from testing and consultancy to becoming a CEO, offering valuable insights into agile leadership, the importance of communication, and the evolving landscape of technology and quality in software development. The Power of Communication in Leadership "Communication isn't just part of the work; it is the work." Alex reflects on her career, emphasizing that her approach to leadership isn't defined by a single moment but by recurring patterns where communication played a crucial role. She shares how continuous conversation is vital for navigating changes and resolving conflicts, underscoring the importance of keeping communication channels open to manage the evolving demands of the tech industry. "Effective leadership hinges on continuous conversations. Make communication the core of your leadership practice." Aligning Tech Strategy with Business Goals "We need to balance the excitement of new technology with what the customer truly needs." Alex discusses the importance of aligning tech strategies with broader business objectives while maintaining agility. She shares her experience with implementing OKRs (Objective-Key Results) to bridge the gap between engineering teams and business leaders. By using short cycles for experimentation and decision-making, her team remains flexible and responsive to change without becoming reactive. "Use OKRs and short cycles to keep your tech strategy aligned with business goals, ensuring adaptability without sacrificing focus." Fostering Collaboration Between Tech and Business Units "Stepping outside your own perspective is key to understanding what's critical for both the business and the customer." Collaboration between tech and business units is essential, and Alex highlights strategies that have helped her foster this collaboration. By encouraging teams to consider different perspectives, especially when making decisions that affect customers, Alex ensures that her team remains aligned with the business's critical needs. "Take different perspectives into account during decision-making to ensure alignment between tech and business objectives." The Role of Experimentation in Roadmapping "Little experiments can lead to big innovations if we collaborate with customers early on." Alex shares her approach to roadmapping by incorporating small experiments to explore new ideas. These experiments often involve pilot projects with customers, allowing her team to test and iterate on new technologies before full-scale implementation. This method helps maintain a balance between stability in ongoing projects and innovation. "Incorporate small experiments into your roadmap to innovate while maintaining stability in ongoing projects." Overcoming Challenges in Leadership Transition "Stepping up from a team lead to CEO is about learning to take responsibility and adapt." One of the biggest challenges Alex faced was transitioning from a team lead to a CEO. With the guidance of her co-CEO and mentor, she learned to navigate this complex role without a clear guidebook, focusing on transparency, reflection, and adaptability as key leadership traits. "Reflect on your decisions and be transparent with your team to navigate the challenges of leadership transitions." Building Empathy Between Leaders and Teams "Leaders are people too, and sharing our decision-making processes helps build trust." Alex stresses the importance of creating empathy between leaders and their teams by being transparent about decision-making processes. She believes that while transparency doesn't eliminate conflict or disappointment, it fosters a better understanding of the context behind decisions, helping teams to navigate challenges together. "Build empathy by sharing your decision-making process, but be prepared for conflict—it's part of leadership." Embracing AI and Its Future Impact Alex shares her perspective on the rise of AI and its potential to transform software and product development. While she recognizes the opportunities AI presents, she emphasizes the need to remain focused on human-centric development, ensuring that technology serves to enhance, rather than replace, the human element in quality and product development. "As AI evolves, keep your focus on human-centric development to ensure technology enhances, rather than replaces, human contributions." Measuring Success with Meaningful KPIs "Numbers are useful, but context is crucial." Alex discusses her cautious approach to KPIs, emphasizing that while metrics like the DORA metrics are valuable, they must be interpreted within the right context. She shares an example of how a clear KPI—reducing escalation meetings—helped turn around a troubled project by focusing on the underlying issues rather than just the numbers. "Use KPIs to guide your decisions, but always consider the context behind the numbers to drive meaningful change." Staying Updated and Informed "I delegate much of the learning to my team, but I remain curious and engaged." To stay current with industry trends and best practices, Alex relies on a flat organizational structure where team leads are empowered to stay updated. She also participates in conference watch parties, engages in Slack groups, and pairs with colleagues to learn new technologies firsthand, fostering a culture of continuous learning. "Empower your team to stay informed, but stay curious and engaged in the learning process." Influential Reads for Leadership "We work with humans in socio-technical systems, and it's important to understand both the technical and human aspects." Alex shares some of the books that have influenced her leadership approach, including "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk," "Radical Candor," and "Never Split the Difference." These books have helped her navigate the complex, human-centric aspects of leadership in technical environments. "Combine technical know-how with human understanding—books like 'Radical Candor' offer valuable insights for leaders." [IMAGE HERE] Are you having trouble helping the team work well with their Product Owner? We've put together a course to help you work on the collaboration team-product owner. You can find it at bit.ly/coachyourpo. 18 modules, 8+ hours of modules with tools and techniques that you can use to help teams and PO's collaborate.   About Alex Schladebeck Alex Schladebeck is the CEO and Quality Advocate at BREDEX GmbH. She is an agile leader with a passion for quality and human-centric development. With a rich background in testing, product ownership, and consultancy, Alex now focuses on strategy, team coaching, and customer communication. A frequent speaker at Agile events, she was named the Most Influential Agile Testing Professional Person in 2018. Outside of work, she enjoys sports, music, and exploring new cultures. To learn more about Alex Schladebeck and follow her work, visit BREDEX GmbH and Schladebeck.de.  You can link with Alex Schladebeck on LinkedIn.

Are you prepared for the future of leadership?  Tune into our latest podcast episode, where we explore the evolving leadership landscape in the modern world. In this episode, we uncover how cutting-edge technologies transform agile practices, cultural shifts' importance, and more. "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." – Alan Kay. Agile leaders don't just adapt to changes; they drive them. Tune in now to gain insights that will prepare you to lead with agility and innovation. Available on Amazon Music, iTunes, Podbean, Spotify, YouTube Music, or your favorite streaming service!

Carlos Soriano With over a decade of experience leading IT teams across Europe and North America, Carlos Soriano currently serves as Director of IT for Applications and Business Intelligence at RectorSeal in Houston. His expertise spans implementing agile methodologies, managing large-scale IT projects, and facilitating collaboration between technical and business teams. Soriano’s international background provides...

Are you ready to transform how you make decisions? Dive into our latest episode, where we explore the critical skills of speed and precision in agile decision-making. Learn about the tools and strategies to help you lead with agility and confidence in today's fast-paced business landscape. "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity" — Sun Tzu

Text us to share your thoughts This week more than 3,000 staff could get right to bargain collectively for rights and pay for the first time at Amazon's Coventry Warehouse here in the UK. With union busting efforts costing Amazon $14million dollars, how do these efforts help improve employee wellbeing, engagement and productivity?Agile Leadership demands leaders are far more reflective and collaborative overall, so how should leaders deal with efforts from employees to unionise? And are there other ways leaders can make changes to their organisation to reduce the power gap between employees and leadership. And as always, if you've listened to the episode, here are some of the resources we reference:[1] The Guardian: Amazon workers begin historic voting to join a union[2] The Hill: Amazon spent a record $14million on union busting consultants[3] Time: The Case For Business Leaders to Work Collaboratively with Unions[4] UK Govt: Union membership data 1995-2023Visit our website www.humble.associatesOr check out our LinkedIn page to learn more about Humble Associates

In part 2 of this podcast focused on the success story of Strobbo, an HR software platform, PST Steven Deneir, Bert Neels - CEO at Strobbo and Michael Voorhaen, Product Owner at Strobbo continue their discussion about agile transformation and leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, experimentation, and leadership. They also highlighted challenges such as navigating team self-restructuring and empowering teams for success and share some really inspiring advice.Part 1 is here: https://www.scrum.org/resources/professional-scrum-powers-strobbos-go-market-acceleration

This month's Empowerment Minutes podcast theme is "Agile Leadership." This week's episode delves into the secrets to thriving in rapidly changing environments and learning how leaders can empower their teams more effectively. Learn practical strategies to embrace and implement agility in your leadership approach. "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." — John F. Kennedy.

Strobbo, an HR platform faced challenges with its software development processes. The company's initial mechanical approach to Scrum, coupled with poor communication and lack of trust, hindered progress and morale. To address these issues, Co-Founder Bert Neels brought in Professional Scrum Trainer Steven Deneir to help.This episode hosted by Leslie Morse, Product Owner at Scrum.org features Bert, Steven and Michael Voorhaen, PO at Strobbo. They discuss Strobbo's journey with Professional Scrum and how they were able to accelerate their go to market by embracing agile practices. They talk about self-management, Product Ownership, the importance of trust and more! Part 2 will be released next week!Read the written case study!

You can contact Arvind Rathore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvindrathore Articles authored by Arvind: Pulse Agile Work from Anywhere: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agile-work-from-anywhere-environment-arvind-rathore-/?trackingId=nZIb7v2HR4KL6xlW4f7%2Btg%3D%3D CIO Tech Outlook Team Organization Models for 21st Century Companies: https://www.ciotechoutlook.com/magazine/Team-Organization-Models-for-21st-Century-Companies-WZRW842286006.html Unicorns and Dinosaurs: https://yourstory.com/2018/08/unicorns-vs-dinosaurs Impact of organizational debt in building: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/impact-of-organizational-debt-in-building/id1511786719?i=1000539223120 https://special.siliconindia.com/viewpoint/cxoinsights/bimodal-or-2-speed-it-is-it-flawed-model-nwid-7275.html The post 267 Agile in the CSuite—A Model of Agile Leadership from a CXO first appeared on Agile Noir.

Considering shuffling your agile team members around in hopes of a quick performance boost?As a leader, it's tempting to make sweeping changes when teams aren't delivering as expected. But before you play musical chairs with your teams, make sure you're using data, not just reacting to hearsay and emotions.Analyze your team processes, communication channels, leadership styles, workload distribution, and interpersonal dynamics. Identify the real root causes of any issues. Shuffling people sets teams back to the "forming" stage and can do more harm than good if not justified. Your role is to support people and optimize the whole system, not just resources on a spreadsheet. Engage an experienced agile coach if needed. Organizational design is difficult to get right.For a deeper dive, check out the latest Arguing Agile podcast on "5 Things to Analyze Before Shuffling Your Agile Teams". Link in comments.#agileleadership #agilecoaching #teamperformance #organizationaldesign5 Things to Analyze Before Shuffling Your Agile TeamsIs your management considering shuffling team members around to improve performance? Before you make any drastic changes, analyze these 5 key areas:1. Team processes 2. Communication channels3. Leadership styles4. Workload distribution 5. Interpersonal team dynamicsShuffling people between teams can disrupt the team dynamic and set them back to the "forming" stage. Make sure you have the data to justify any changes. Understand the real root causes of underperformance before reacting.Leadership needs to look at the whole system, not just individuals. Seek to support people, not just optimize resources on a spreadsheet. Organizational design is difficult - don't just stumble through it. agile teams, agile leadership, team performance, organizational design, team dynamics, agile coaching0:00 Podcast Intro0:17 Topic Intro: When Management Shuffles Team Members0:48 Why the Shuffling?2:21 Back to Forming7:30 Om's Team-Shuffling Example9:21 Shortcutting Storming & Forming13:51 Skill (Re)Balancing16:57 Observing Trends19:33 Adding Cross-Functionality20:35 Evaluating Feedback23:43 What Management Thinks - Fresh Perspectives25:58 Lacking Communication Skill27:25 Brian's 5 Suggestions30:14 Impact of Leadership Decisions32:29 Leadership is Difficult35:42 Career Growth38:23 Conflict Resolution40:56 Wrap-Up= = = = = = = = = = = =Watch it on YouTube= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ee3506fc-38f2-46d1-a301-79681c55ed82/Agile-Podcast= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

In this episode of the Arguing Agile podcast, Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel are joined by Software Development expert Ed Martin for an exploration how company size affects business agility. We discuss the challenges that arise as organizations scale from 3 people to 30 to 300 and beyond, covering topics like losing the culture of experimentation, organizational rigidity, continuous improvement, and the "rule of 3 and 10". Listen as we share real-world examples on how to maintain agility while growing your business. Listen to learn strategies for reinventing your culture, org design best practices, and the importance of having a framework to "work on the business" as you scale. Listen whether you're a founder, agile coach, or product leader and this episode will give you valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities that come with company growth!0:00 Podcast Intro0:17 Topic Intro: Business Agility & Company Size0:47 Brian's Start-up Story1:51 The Rule of 3 and 103:20 Proactive Work on the System5:27 Om's Systems Example7:05 Ed's Planning Example8:11 Example: 3 to 30 People11:20 Example: Growth to 30013:57 Continuous Improvement17:04 Shooting the Messenger19:35 Your 100%23:04 Losing the Experimentation Culture26:15 Business Rigidity and Reinvention28:16 Culture is Past Tense30:10 Reinspection Triggers32:53 Org Design34:57 Gino Wickman: Traction37:49 Working Groups38:45 The Natural Order44:12  Reinventing Organizations48:37 Future Podcasts48:55 Wrap-up= = = = = = = = = = = =Watch it on YouTube= = = = = = = = = = = =Subscribe to our YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8XUSoJPxGPI8EtuUAHOb6g?sub_confirmation=1Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ee3506fc-38f2-46d1-a301-79681c55ed82/Agile-Podcast= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Saturday Mornings host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host, award-winning author Neil Humphreys talk with Yeo Chuen Chuen, Managing Director of ACESENCE Agile Leadership and the author of “Leaders People Love: The Agile Leaders' Guide to Creating Great Workplaces and Happy Employees.” We discuss 13 relevant, essential themes for the post-pandemic workplace that leaders should actively develop and how to show leaders how they and their teams can shift mindsets towards being more agile and self aware.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IN THIS EPISODE...Meet Manisha Dhawan, founder and CEO of MPath Coaching, who is recognized for her expertise in leadership development and change management. With over two decades of diverse experience spanning various industries and roles, Manisha has honed her skills and insights to empower individuals and organizations. Also, she is the author of "The Digital Agile Leader," which empowers aspiring leaders to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.In this episode, Manisha shares her journey of resilience, growth, and leadership evolution. From witnessing the humble beginnings of a family business to navigating career pivots and eventually founding her venture, she offers candid insights into the challenges and triumphs that shaped her path. Exploring adaptability, stakeholder savvy, and emotional intelligence, Manisha delves into the importance of leading authentically and finding balance amidst leadership demands. With engaging anecdotes and practical tips, she inspires listeners to embrace change, cultivate self-awareness, and strive for excellence in their leadership journeys.------------Full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and other compelling episodes can be found at http://LeadYourGamePodcast.com. (Click the magnifying icon at the top right and type “Manisha”)Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ------------JUST FOR YOU: Increase your leadership acumen by identifying your personal Leadership Trigger. Take my free my free quiz and instantly receive your 5-page report. Need to up-level your workforce or execute strategic People initiatives? https://shockinglydifferent.com/contact or tweet @KaranRhodes.-------------ABOUT MANISHA DHAWAN:Manisha's journey commenced within her family business, Applied Membranes, where she gained comprehensive exposure across all operational functions. Transitioning to roles at esteemed firms like PwC, Deloitte, and Slalom, Manisha spearheaded global digital transformation endeavors, notably contributing to Taco Bell's pioneering digital initiatives.Also, as the founder of MPath Coaching, Manisha leverages her wealth of experience to nurture leadership capabilities and foster high-performance team dynamics. Her bespoke coaching and training programs, tailored to individual and organizational needs, cover an array of vital subjects such as emotional intelligence, agility, and effective communication.Manisha's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and an MBA from UC Irvine, complemented by her coaching certification from iPEC. Additionally, she holds an EverythingDiSC authorized partner accreditation and certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Design Thinking, further enriching her toolkit for transformative coaching and leadership development.------------WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:1. How should individuals and organizations approach digital transformations with care and responsibility?2. What are the reasons behind people's resistance to change?3. What are the strategies to implement change effectively?4. How can one handle a challenging situation with a team member?5. Why is stakeholder savvy important in leadership?6. How can leaders prioritize self-care

Kevin Gearheart, the president of Rehab Medical, demonstrates the potency of leader alignment and a growth mindset. In this episode, he delves into the evolution of strategic planning and the disciplined execution that drove nearly 30% yearly growth over eight years alongside host Lee Scott. Addressing the complexities of infrastructure enhancement and the strategic gamble of product focus shifts, Kevin shares insights on constructing an environment of trust within the company and the pivotal role of structured communication. Together, they unravel the essence of a "micro speed, macro patience" approach in unfolding leadership and success. Additional Resources: Connect with Lee on LinkedIn Learn more about Unleashing Leaders Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn Learn more about Rehab Medical Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network  

Kulsoom Pervez: Fostering Team Collaboration in Scrum, The Essence of Agile Leadership For Scrum Masters Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. When it comes to success for Scrum Masters, Kulsoom focuses on team empowerment and collective success. She questions whether team members are happy and engaged in their work. Kulsoom emphasizes the importance of reminding teams to distinguish between what they can and cannot influence, especially when venting frustrations. She also touches upon the significance of team members owning their responsibilities instead of blaming others. The episode delves into whether team members assist each other collaboratively or try to individually stand out as heroes, underscoring the essence of teamwork in the realm of Scrum Mastery. Featured Retrospective Format For The Week: The Values Retrospectives, Helping Teams Find Purpose And Alignment In this segment, Kulsoom discusses her favorite agile retrospective format, emphasizing the importance of variety to prevent team boredom. The focus is on 'The Values Retrospectives,' where team members discuss and agree on values that are important to them. This format is instrumental in aligning team actions with their defined values. Kulsoom highlights the critical nature of helping team members understand and embody these values in their work. Additionally, she provides insight into the significance of explaining the concept of values, ensuring every team member has a clear and shared understanding of what they represent.   [IMAGE HERE] Retrospectives, planning sessions, vision workshops, we are continuously helping teams learn about how to collaborate in practice! In this Actionable Agile Tools book, Jeff Campbell shares some of the tools he's learned over a decade of coaching Agile Teams. The pragmatic coaching book you need, right now! Buy Actionable Agile Tools on Amazon, or directly from the author, and supercharge your facilitation toolbox!    About Kulsoom Pervez Kulsoom is passionate about constructing sustainable, resilient, and high-performing teams, consistently delivering value to customers through the transformative power of Agility. She embodies a leadership style that inspires, empowers, and fosters the growth of her colleagues. Kulsoom enjoys reading and has also dabbled in blogging. You can link with Kulsoom Pervez on LinkedIn.

Strategy and collaboration in open, loosely connected, complex networks require a different approach than the top-down planning that has long dominated organizational strategy-setting. In this redux episode of the Leading Learning Podcast, co-host Celisa Steele talks with Ed Morrison, who pioneered Strategic Doing, an approach to strategy and collaboration in open, loosely connected, complex networks, and who co-authored Strategic Doing: Ten Skills for Agile Leadership. Celisa and Ed talk about what Strategic Doing is, some of the practical skills needed to do it well, and how learning businesses might apply it. Show notes and a downloadable transcript are available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode390.

Jean Coetzee: Reimagining Leadership, A Crucial Element in Agile Transformations Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Jean delves into the critical role of change in Agile adoption and practice. He emphasizes that "change" better encapsulates Agile's essence, as opposed to its sometimes negative connotations. He explores the challenges faced by Scrum Masters when guiding teams through the change process. Jean advises embracing the discomfort of uncertainty and highlights the importance of finding a change role model within the organization. He stresses that the true challenge lies in the "being" part of change, not just the "doing," and advocates for a reimagined approach to leadership in order to navigate future transformations effectively.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change? The Lean Change Management framework is a fully defined, lean-startup inspired change framework that can be used as the backbone of any change process! You can buy Lean Change Management the book at Amazon. Also available in French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.   About Jean Coetzee Jean is passionate about humans, and how they work together from a psychology and neuroscience perspective. Jean, credits the early ScrumMaster podcasts for shaping his Agile career. These insightful episodes provided vital guidance during the early days, boosting confidence in serving others effectively. Jean learned to navigate uncertainties and gain confidence in their Scrum Master role, all thanks to this and other podcast contributors. You can link with Jean Coetze on LinkedIn. 

Organizations still struggle with DDoS, ransomware, and personal information exfiltration. In order the prevent these attacks, we first need to understand the ‘types' of DDoS and emerging threat techniques used by the adversary. In this interview, we explore these attacks in the context of edge computing. As edge computing use cases evolve, organizations need to understand the intersection of edge computing, networking, and cybersecurity. We discuss the risks associated with edge computing, the controls that can mitigate these risks, and how to plan for implementation, including security budgeting. Segment Resources: https://www.akamai.com/blog/security/defeating-triple-extortion-ransomware This segment is sponsored by AT&T Cybersecurity. Visit https://securityweekly.com/attcybersecurity to learn more about them! In the leadership and communications section, Board Members Struggling to Understand Cyber Risks, Cybersecurity Goals Conflict With Business Aims, Navigating Change: The Essence of Agile Leadership, and more! Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/bsw for all the latest episodes! Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/securityweekly Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secweekly Visit https://www.securityweekly.com/bsw for all the latest episodes! Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/securityweekly Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secweekly Show Notes: https://securityweekly.com/bsw-320

BONUS: From journalism to Scrum Mastery, collected lessons on working with teams by Ian McGrady Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Ian's journey from journalism to becoming a Scrum Master is a testament to his adaptable mindset and persistence. His transition stemmed from a unique start; he secured his first job due to his fast typing skills and a desire to meet Peter Jennings. Ian's persistence in seeking a meeting with Jennings honed his tenacity. The introduction to the Scrum Master role came through recognizing the news industry's agile, continuous delivery setup. Despite challenges, like sending out 400 resumes for just 3 interviews and a job offer, Ian's honesty on his resume and his ability to relate his existing skills to the software field were pivotal. In interviews, he remained coachable, acknowledged his learning curve, and emphasized genuine interest in others. He underlines the importance of not striving to be the smartest person in the room, instead focusing on collaboration and curiosity. From TV News Deadlines to Agile Leadership, learning how to work under pressure Becoming a Scrum Master has brought about significant changes and personal growth for Ian. Inspired by Jeff Sutherland's book "The Art Of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time," he realized the value of efficiency. Transitioning from TV News, where deadlines were paramount, he leveraged his experience to provide leadership to his team. Ian's principles and vision became guiding forces, focusing on extracting the best from individuals and incorporating it into the work. He emphasized stepping back to allow the team to shine and maximizing their value without personal dominance. His journey exemplifies transformation through collaborative leadership and value-driven mindset. Building the Foundation: Key Steps for Launching Effective Teams Launching new teams is a crucial process that Ian has garnered valuable insights from. Key lessons involve the necessity of team formation events, despite potential resistance from upper management. Addressing this as a communal effort, Ian suggests socializing the idea of team formation through specific activities. Four critical steps include creating a working agreement, establishing a workflow, defining a Definition of Ready (DoR), and a Definition of Done (DoD). These artifacts can aid in resolving conflicts. Ian recommends the book "Liftoff" by Diana Larsen and Ainsley Nies and advises using timeboxes to identify and address conflicts during team formation. Empowering New Teams: Strategies for Maximizing New Team Potential Addressing challenges faced by new teams in attaining maximum value from Scrum events, Ian shares insights and solutions. He recounts an NGO team's bureaucratic hurdles that hindered effective team startup events. Ian emphasizes the importance of focusing on delivering the essence of Scrum events and the Scrum Master's role in ensuring team value. He recalls an example where a team failed to update the board during the daily scrum, suggesting the live update approach to enhance visibility. He advises keeping work consistently on the board and centering the daily scrum on "done" work. Ian also recommends incorporating refinement into the workflow for improved outcomes. Turning the Tide: How Effective Team Formation Revolutionized Scrum Outcomes Ian shares a transformative case study highlighting the impact of team formation. He joined a team of talented individuals struggling with teamwork. After obtaining buy-in for a startup event from his boss, the team's performance improved drastically. Shifting from completing 3 items per month to 22, Ian recommends focusing on metrics that emphasize "done" work. Addressing the challenge of team composition, having reliable contributors was vital. Open communication and transparent norms facilitated tough discussions. Challenges during formation included gaining buy-in from all stakeholders and addressing pushback from senior management. Ian emphasizes that while some individuals may be natural stars, teams require nurturing for success. In this segment we refer to the OTOG mnemonic (One Team, One Goal) as a team effectiveness maximizing strategy. The One Team, One Goal approach is depicted in this blog post by Vasco Duarte.   About Ian McGrady Ian McGrady started in IT as a co-founder and Junior Project Manager at Blue Lotus Systems Integration and Data Conversion. There he co-authored an internal book about project management. He has worked as a Scrum Master in wagering, banking and healthcare. You can link with Ian McGrady on LinkedIn.