The Agile For Agilists Podcast

On this episode of The Agile for Agilists Podcast, Drew Podwal and Brad Nelson are joined once again by Todd Hallowell for a candid conversation about the current state of Agile and what it really means to practice agility in today’s organizations.

Together, we unpack the tension between traditional project management approaches and true Agile thinking—exploring the fallacy of control, the evolving role of business analysts, and the often-blurry line between product and project management. We also touch on leadership’s role in shaping Agile culture, how AI is influencing decision-making, and why purpose-driven agility matters more than ever.

If you're navigating Agile transformation, questioning frameworks, or just trying to lead with more clarity and intention—this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Agile For Agilists Podcast, hosts Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal sit down with Andrew Clay Shafer, a luminary in software development, entrepreneurship, and the DevOps movement. Together, they explore how Agile principles have existed long before the Agile Manifesto, diving into the history of Sociotechnical Systems and how these timeless practices shape successful organizations—sometimes in surprising ways.

Andrew shares his perspective on why companies thrive regardless of whether they adhere to "textbook" Agile practices and why necessity drives innovation. Along the way, the conversation weaves into the current landscape of AI, emphasizing the critical importance of task decomposition as a future-proof skill. Whether you're an Agile enthusiast, a DevOps advocate, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and human collaboration, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Agile For Agilists Podcast, we're thrilled to have special guest Joan Gammon join us for a deep dive into the metrics that truly matter. Together, we'll explore how to effectively assess performance, foster impactful leadership, and cut through the noise to focus on what really drives success. Brad in this episode is extra bleak, while Drew tries to keep things lively as our resident fun culture coach. Whether you're a leader, a team member, or just curious about what makes organizations tick, this conversation is packed with insights and a touch of humor you won't want to miss!

In this episode of "The Agile For Agilists Podcast," Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal are joined by Brian Link to discuss his innovative "Agile Coach in a Box." This interactive book and maturity model companion is designed to align with the agile mindset and is infused with concepts from Lean, XP, Design Thinking, DevOps, and Systems Thinking, enabling teams to inspect how their behaviors are serving them.

Throughout the episode, Brad, Drew, and Brian share industry experiences and challenges, uncovering the unique benefits of Brian's latest work. Their lively conversation offers a mix of real-world applications and expert advice, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in the agile space.

Plus, don't miss the fun twist where Drew unveils his new official Agile costume, inspired by the '90s hit "No Rain." Tune in for a blend of insightful discussion and lighthearted moments!

Brian's book "The Practical Agilist Guidebook" is about to be published (July/Aug 2024) since recording this episode. Visit PracticalAgilistGuidebook.com to be notified when it's released, receive hundreds of recommended books, articles, and videos mentioned in the book, and a discount code to buy the book.

If you want to learn whether you and your team follow the behaviors behind the Agile Mindset, the way he defines it with the core concepts from the Agile Manifesto, Lean, XP, Design Thinking, DevOps, and Systems Thinking... visit MeasureTheMindset.com

Brian loves everything agile. If your company is looking to improve the way they deliver value to customers, he offers free consultations to just talk about what challenges you have: PracticalAgilist.com

Join hosts Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal as they welcome the esteemed Esther Derby, renowned for her work on retrospectives and her deep insights into leadership. In this episode, they delve into the evolution of management practices, reflecting on the dark past of traditional approaches and how they have shaped modern leadership paradigms.

Esther shares her profound wisdom on fostering effective leadership, the importance of creating the right environment, and navigating the complexities of managing teams in today’s dynamic settings. Known for her storytelling prowess, Esther engages listeners with compelling narratives and practical advice.

Brad and Drew don't hold back on the tough questions, challenging Esther to provide insights into the world's management woes. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion with one of the industry's most respected voices, and discover practical strategies for driving success in your organization.

Join hosts Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal on The Agile For Agilists Podcast for a distinguished episode featuring special guest Jon Kern, one of the authors of the Agile Manifesto and a self-proclaimed process and value nut. In this insightful conversation, Jon delves into the fundamental value of prioritizing people over process, emphasizing that people are the most important and challenging part to software development.

Drawing from his wealth of experience, Jon shares his secrets for doing Agile well. From embodying humility to focusing on value and breaking tasks into uncomfortably small increments, Jon unveils the key practices that foster successful Agile environments. He emphasizes the importance of working recursively, embracing a sense of laziness that simplifies work, and striving for "just enough" rather than perfection.

Tune in as Jon Kern provides a masterclass in Agile excellence, offering actionable strategies and profound wisdom for navigating the complexities of product delivery with Agile Software Development.

Join hosts Drew and Brad in a captivating episode of the Agile For Agilists Podcast as they welcome author Larry Apke. In this insightful conversation, Larry delves into the intriguing concept of a Chief Agile Officer and introduces Apke's First Law, offering valuable insights from his extensive experience. He shares compelling details about his innovative VUCA MBA and sheds light on the profound significance of cultivating an Agile Mindset. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of leadership in the agile space and the transformative power of embracing agility at its core. To learn more about Larry or to take his class, checkout larryapke.com.

Embark on a journey of visionary exploration with this lively episode of The Agile For Agilists Podcast. Join hosts Drew Podwal and Brad Nelson, alongside special guest Quincy Jordan, VP of Agility at AgileThought, as they delve into the critical importance of defining, understanding, and communicating your vision.

Discover why a well-defined vision is the foundation that precedes the identification of problems and the development of effective solutions. Quincy shares invaluable insights on uncovering your vision, emphasizing that, whether overtly expressed or not, a vision always influences your organization. Without a shared vision, individuals might forge their own paths, leading to potential chaos within the workplace.

This enlightening conversation navigates through corporate challenges, human nature, and the potential of future generations. A highlight of the episode is the spontaneous creation of "Guess That Mission Statement," a whimsical game impromptuly imagined by Drew. Tune in to experience the fun and test your skill at identifying the mission statements of top organizations.

Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about organizational development, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the significance of visionary thinking in fostering cohesion, innovation, and success. Don't miss out on this engaging discussion that might just inspire you to redefine your organization's future through the lens of a clear and compelling vision.

In this episode of the "Agile for Agilists Podcast," hosts Drew Podwal and Brad Nelson sit down with special guest Holly Acre, a public school teacher turned Sales Enablement Coach with a unique twist — she applies Agile and scrum principles to her performance coaching practice. The conversation takes a deep dive into the intriguing intersection of Agile methodologies and professional coaching, shedding light on a common challenge within the Agile community — Agile Coaches often haven't been trained to actually coach.

With her extensive background in coaching and teaching, Holly offers a fresh perspective on the subject and shares her valuable insights that any professional coach, agile or otherwise, can learn from. She reveals how she applies agile principles in her work with sales teams, helping them navigate the complex business world of individual development, sales, and customer relationships.

Throughout the episode, Drew and Brad are genuinely fascinated by Holly's experiences and how her coaching skills have benefited the sales teams she works with. They discuss the challenges and successes she has encountered, drawing parallels to their experiences as Agile Coaches. Holly's expertise in motivation, goal setting, conflict resolution, and feedback becomes a treasure trove of inspiration for Agile coaches looking to upskill their coaching game.

Tune in to this insightful episode to discover:

— The importance of formal coaching training for Agile coaches.

— Real-world examples of coaching practices benefiting agile teams.

— Strategies for fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

— How Agile principles can be adapted to various professional contexts.

Whether you're an Agile coach seeking to enhance your coaching skills or simply interested in the dynamics of coaching in sales and Agile, this episode promises valuable takeaways and engaging insights. Join Drew, Brad, and Holly for a conversation that bridges the worlds of performance coaching and Agile, highlighting how agile coaches can use a coaching stance to successfully coach agile.

Episode Resources

• Lyssa Adkins - Coaching Agile Teams

In our recent deep-dive on 'The Agile for Agilists Podcast', Brad Nelson, Drew Podwal, and the ever-insightful returning guest, Ken Rickard tackle a captivating irony: "Agile Coaches Rarely Work in Agile Environments." Together we ponder the unique challenges coaches face, emphasizing the need for heightened patience, focus, and a profound level of acceptance. Why? To meet organizations where they are in their agile journey, not where we might wish them to be. Drawing inspiration from Victor Frankel's poignant reflection—"man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who was asked"—we explore the intrinsic motivation for agile coaches.

In an atmosphere of candid conversations, we navigate the vast gap between the lofty expectations agile coaches harbor when entering new organizations and the stark reality of their agile maturity. Beyond identifying challenges, we share strategies: mastering self-advocacy, establishing one's space, and influencing change from the top. Join us for a journey filled with rich insights, firsthand tales, and our signature dash of lively yet sardonic banter — a fresh perspective for every agile coach.

Take one of Ken's ICAgile or Lean Change courses with The Agile For Agilists Podcast exclusive 20% off discount by using code "Agile4Agilists20" at https://insight.com/events (only valid for Ken's courses).

Listen in as we navigate through a range of insightful topics in this dynamic conversation with Agile coach, John Fazzaro. We tackle the crucial idea of not knowing the value of our work until it's complete and in use, stressing the need to place faith in "why" our work is valuable rather than faith that if our work was given to us that it must be valuable. Agile practices are discussed in detail, underscoring the necessity for stakeholder feedback to understand what truly brings value.

Embrace a shift in perspective as we debunk the outdated idea of learning being limited to childhood. We discuss the fallacies this mentality can lead to in software development, the value of continuous learning, and the significance of adapting agile mantras such as 'stop trying to get it right the first time'. Our host Drew, even shares his personal journey to becoming a tattoo "artist", correlating the importance of fast cycles of failure as an opportunity to learn.

Our conversation takes an interesting turn as we challenge traditional hierarchical organizational structures, drawing parallels with the concept of helicopter parenting. We look at how test-driven development and software architecture influence Agile methodologies, exploring topics like the scientific method, Kent Beck's Test and Commit or Revert, and the complexities of code. We wrap up by discussing how organizational structures can hamper Agile collaboration and the necessity for a framework that supports scaling. You won't want to miss this informative and engaging conversation, so tune in!

Welcome to a fresh season of The Agile For Agilists Podcast! We're thrilled to have Dom Michalec back as our guest, bringing his wealth of knowledge in behavior design and product management. In this episode, we dive deep into a fundamental but often underestimated aspect of any endeavor – defining success. Dom guides us through essential topics like coaching agreements, securing buy-in, and boosting attendance at your sprint reviews. Plus, we explore the art of crafting compelling product visions. Tune in for invaluable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your projects and transformations. Don't miss this enlightening conversation!

In this exciting episode of The Agile For Agilists Podcast, hosts Drew and Brad are joined by two esteemed guests, author Jason Little and trainer/coach Ken Rickard, to explore the fascinating world of lean change and enterprise coaching. Together, they delve into the principles and practices of lean change management and its potential to revolutionize organizational transformation.

Jason Little, renowned author of "Lean Change Management," brings his deep insights into leveraging lean and agile approaches to drive meaningful change in complex environments. Ken Rickard, a seasoned trainer and coach, offers practical guidance on enterprise coaching and how lean change has helped him to apply an agile approach to agile adoption.

Throughout the episode, our guests provide valuable perspectives, share real-life examples, and offer actionable tips for enterprise coaches and change agents seeking to enhance their change management capabilities. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or embarking on your change management journey, this episode is a treasure trove of insights and practical wisdom that will inspire and empower you to lead successful transformations within your organization.

Tune in to this episode to expand your knowledge and discover new possibilities for driving effective change in today's dynamic business landscape with this captivating conversation with Jason Little and Ken Rickard.

Episode Links:

https://leanchange.org/

http://www.agilecoach.ca/downloads/

https://www.reinventingorganizations.com/

https://www.corporate-rebels.com/

In this enlightening episode of "The Agile For Agilists Podcast," our esteemed guest, Andy Cleff, an agile transformation coach at Agile Velocity and co-founder/host of the "Agile Uprising Podcast," leads Brad and Drew on an eye-opening journey down the Path to Agility.

The Path to Agility, a methodology developed by Agile Velocity, transcends frameworks and emphasizes achieving tangible business outcomes. Andy provides a condensed overview of this approach, including its companion tool, Navigator. Furthermore, he delves into the depths of agile transformations and the criticality of embracing business agility.

Our discussion zooms in on the pivotal role of funding models in supporting agile transformations. We shed light on the limitations of conventional funding approaches such as Capex, Opex, profit centers, and cost centers, which often impede organizations from fully embracing business agility. These rigid models, burdened with excessive overhead, pose significant obstacles to swift responses to market changes and user feedback.

Moreover, we explore the intriguing intersection of change management and agile transformations. Traditional change management methodologies, while valuable in their time and specific contexts, often rely on a plan-driven approach that contradicts the iterative and adaptive nature of the agile movement. Andy reveals that the renowned Kotter 8 Step Change Model, developed by Dr. John Kotter, has recently evolved to accommodate this crucial need.

Throughout the episode, Andy Cleff generously shares his wealth of real-world experience and practical insights on successfully achieving business outcomes through impactful change and agile practices across all organizational levels.

Don't miss out on this illuminating episode of "The Agile For Agilists Podcast" as we embark together on the transformative Path to Agility.

#AgilePodcast #BusinessAgility #ChangeManagement #AgileTransformation

Ever wondered how creativity and collaboration can ignite your professional journey? We had a blast chatting with our longtime friend, Kevin McClure, Senior Manager in the Digital Experience team at Ford Motor Credit. He revealed the fascinating story of how he transitioned from a finance degree and sales career to a product manager, rekindling his creative spark along the way.

In this riveting conversation, we delved into the importance of visualization skills and empathizing with customers for successful product development. Kevin shared his experiences with powerful tools for mapping out his mind and illustrating the flow of value in a way that is tangible and easily presentable to stakeholders. We also discussed the exciting journey from BA to Scrum Master, the evolution of our partnership, and how treating product development like a business can lead to impactful results.

This episode is jam-packed with valuable insights, from UX maturity to the entrepreneurial spirit and metrics-driven decision-making. Don't miss out on learning from Kevin's experiences and discovering ways to channel your creativity into success. And hey, if you love the episode, post a repost with the hashtag #AgileSticks and tag us for a chance to win a free Agile for Agilist sticker pack! Let's keep the creativity flowing!

Join hosts Drew and Brad on an exciting episode of The Agile for Agilists Podcast, as they welcome special guest Kevin McClure, a Senior Manager at Ford Credit with a wealth of experience as a Product Manager for multiple Fortune 500 companies. In this captivating conversation, Brad and Kevin reflect on their experiences at Meijer and explore the fascinating journey that led Kevin to excel in the field of product management. Gain valuable insights into the power of visualizing work and effectively presenting those visualizations, while also discovering Ford Credit's innovative strategies for deepening their understanding of customers. Tune in to this episode to gain useful perspectives on agile practices, effective product management techniques, and the pivotal role of customer-centric approaches.

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Agile For Agilists Podcast" hosted by Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal. In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming our special guest, behavioral design and product coach, Dom Michalec. Join us as we explore the elements of behavioral design and how this method can unlock the potential within your teams and revolutionize the way agile coaches approach facilitating transformation journeys.

During this insightful conversation, Dom shares his wealth of experience in creating user-centric and behavior-driven design solutions in contrast to facilitating organizational change by combining the principles of human behavior and agile methodologies. As an avid student of Dr. BJ Fogg and Tiny Habits Certified Coach, Dom highlights how the Fogg Behavior Model enables coaches to identify and align motivations, abilities, and prompts within individuals, fostering a fertile ground for agile adoption.

Dom shares how this approach can be used both for good and evil, as well as how to apply it in your own life to finally build the habits you have been struggling with for years. While this method is definitely a life hack, Dom assures us that it is not the Jedi Mind Trick. It can be just as powerful though in the right hands!

Throughout the episode, Brad, Drew, and Dom engage in a dynamic conversation that delves into the practical applications of behavioral design principles and how they can be seamlessly integrated into both product design and the agile transformation process. Listeners will gain a high-level understanding of what Behavior Design is, along with actionable tips for integrating these strategies into agile events, such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, to optimize collaboration, enhance productivity, and foster a continuous improvement mindset.

Join us on "The Agile For Agilists Podcast" as we uncover the immense potential of leveraging behavioral design strategies in driving an enterprise's agile transformation. Get ready to transform your organization into an agile powerhouse that thrives on human-centric principles!

Episode Links:

• Dom Michalec - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dommichalec/
• Gary Chapman - The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace https://www.appreciationatwork.com/5-languages-appreciation-workplace-improve-employee-engagement/
• Dr. BJ Fogg - Tiny Habits - https://tinyhabits.com/
• Tiny Habits Academy - https://tinyhabitsacademy.com/
• Waiting Room Experiment - Social Conformity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6kWygqR0L8
• My Favorite Murder Podcast - https://myfavoritemurder.com/

The long-awaited Agile showdown is finally here, Story Points vs No Estimates!  Amanda Rae Arseneau is back to team up with co-host Brad Nelson to go head-to-head with Drew Podwal, in a debate that you won’t want to miss! The discussion gets heated as Drew argues in favor of story points, emphasizing the benefits of having a shared language enabling alignment between technical and non-technical members of the team. Meanwhile, Brad and Amanda staunchly defend the no estimates approach, emphasizing an approach that has a lower cognitive load and promotes flow. It’s a duel to the finish with no one holding back as they challenge each other's arguments and offer real-world examples and case studies to support their positions. They tackle tough questions such as: Is the need for metrics holding teams back from true agility? Are story points just a way to appease management, or do they provide real value to teams? Is a no-estimates approach realistic in a business environment that demands predictability? Join us for a thrilling and provocative episode of The Agile for Agilist Podcast’s long-awaited follow-up.  Will Drew be swept away by the flow metrics or stand victorious as the only one tracking points? Links from today's episode: 1. https://actionableagile.com/resources/publications/ 2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-i-use-story-points-planning-brad-nelson/

3. https://itrevolution.com/product/accelerate/

4. https://cloud.google.com/devops

5. https://support.puppet.com/hc/en-us/articles/221368047-The-2023-State-of-DevOps-Report-is-here-

6. https://www.ebayinc.com/stories/news/expert-joshua-kerievsky-discusses-modern-agile-at-ebay/

Are you tired of office politics and personality clashes standing in the way of your team's or organization's growth of Agile capabilities? In this episode we discuss how to navigate workplace friction reveal how examining startup culture can provide valuable insights for accelerating the delivery of value in larger organizations.

Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal sit down with Organizational Fixer, Entrepreneur Coach, and Culture Consultant Elizabeth O'Neill to unpack the secrets of startup agility, innovation, and behavioral strategies that enable such rapid delivery of value to its customers. We highlight the practices and modalities that enterprise companies can adopt from startups in order to support a more engaged, empowered and customer focused workforce. (Spoiler we talk about culture!)

We wrap up our discussion by examining how self-awareness and active listening help agile coaches manage biases, build trust, and tailor their approach to individual clients. Elizabeth provides insight that allows coaches to connect to their clients and leadership on a deeper level, and identify underlying issues that may be impeding progress.

So, if you're ready to bring some startup culture to your enterprise organization, then you're in the right spot because it's time to think like a startup and take your enterprise to the next level!

In this episode of Agile for Agilists, we explore the often-overlooked fact that corporations are made up of human beings, and therefore, when we are coaching an organizational transformation we are actually coaching people with emotions and feelings. Hosts Brad Nelson and Drew Podwal team up with former school teacher turned Agile Consultant Patty Aluskewicz to share practical strategies for supporting individuals through the emotional challenges of transformational change.

Knowledge of the Agile values, principles, practices, and tools is what makes a coach an "Agile Coach," but effectively coaching the adoption of Agile is more about creating a safe space for individuals to express their concerns, fears, and uncertainties. Coaches can build trust and mitigate resistance by acknowledging the individual and harnessing a collaborative approach to continuous improvement. With lessons from the classroom and years of experience facilitating the growth of agile environments, this conversation offers a thoughtful and nuanced approach to coaching organizational transformations.

Tune in to discover how recognizing the importance of human emotions can lead to a more successful transformational initiative, how to tailor coaching approaches to support individuals through the transformational process, and the benefits of creating a culture of collaboration and co-creation.

Having a wildly successful product takes more than solving the right problem for the right users. It also requires paying customers. We are joined in this episode by Director of Product and Growth Strategy Expert, Diego von Sohsten, who shares his experience in his own failed startup and how that has made him a better Product Manager today. Tune in to learn tips and tricks, as well as hear about Diego's journey from Brazil to Canada and from developer to product manager, and his successful quest to capture that mythical unicorn.

Diego von Sohsten - https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-vs/

Clayton Christensen's Jobs to Be Done - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXYm-CVzPQ0

We did it! We recorded and published our first season of the Agile For Agilists Podcast. In this bonus episode, Drew and Brad reflect on the efforts that have gone into launching a podcast from scratch, the challenges along the way, and the lessons they have learned. If you are interested in hearing more about the behind-the-scenes of the Agile For Agilist Podcast, then tune into this transparent and vulnerable bonus episode where the guys try to live what they preach.

Does having a continuous improvement mindset make you a negative person? Do people view you as overly critical? Does it make it harder for you to stop and smell the roses? In this episode, Drew and Brad explore these questions and open up about challenges and habits they have in their own lives, teams, and organizations. They touch on agile culture, positive psychology, and energy leadership. Drew ensures we all know how cool he is and self-identifies as a "fun coach," while Brad is against mandatory fun and is a calming force with his stoic presence. More than just a feel-good episode, the Agile Manifesto and its core values emphasize the human aspect over process and tools. Delivering innovative, high-quality software at a steady pace requires motivated, involved, and happy teams. And you know what they say, happy developers equal happy users. Tune in to relate and/or learn some tips and tricks. #GoodVibesOnly

Links from this episode:
1. The Happiness Advantage (https://www.shawnachor.com/happiness-advantage-key-takeaways/)
2. Tiny Habits (https://tinyhabits.com/)
3. Atomic Habits (https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits)
4. Husband reviews scotch while wife leaves him (https://youtu.be/ouGLEtapOX8)
5. iPEC Coaching (https://www.ipeccoaching.com/blog/energy-leadership-explanation)

Each day software developers are responsible for maintaining code bases that support billions of dollars in revenue streams.  When decisions need to be made it can often feel like that MacGuyver moment of choosing between the red wire, and the blue one.  In this episode, Drew is joined by former USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Master Sergeant turned Leadership & Performance consultant Ken Lewis to discuss the contrast and similarities to leading software teams and EOD teams who literally cut red wires.

Military culture is often associated with toughness, discipline, and always being ready to fight, but the reality is that while the military is entrenched in authority, its leadership approach is highly empathetic. Ken’s experience as a US Air Force EOD tech gives him unique insight into how we can apply high-stakes military leadership principles, with empathy and compassion into our daily lives at work and in our personal relationships.  

You'll also learn about the "knife hand," and why you probably shouldn't use it.

This episode is packed full of actionable insights you can take back to your own organization today!