article

Being Agile without fitting a mould

A few weeks ago I started helping out at one of the most Agile tech companies I’ve ever seen.

I looked into their current state. On the surface, they use a mix of Scrum and Kanban ideas that wouldn’t pass muster by the standards of either approach. Some practices are done loosely, while others are absent.

READ MORE

The Making of a Great Agile Management Team (27-min audio interview)

How does a group of managers truly become a management team, especially one that builds an Agile culture? READ MORE

How to Become Agile Outside of Software?

At a technology company, the CEO called the VP Sales in and say, “I want Sales to be more like the tech team.”

Wait, what? Technology teams as the model of behavior?

READ MORE

Imposing Agile Is a Non-Starter

For years, whenever people wanted to know about my Agile coaching practice, one thing I would bring up was, “I only coach the willing.”

Sometimes they would chuckle or nod understandingly. Yet, more often, they didn’t realize why I was saying this. I’m a professional coach, wouldn’t I coach everyone?
READ MORE

Agile Just Makes Sense… Why Don’t They Get It?!

In my courses, I use various activities to examine and drive home Agile’s many principles. Ones that usually trigger deep conversations include getting to “done,” feedback, collaboration, and effectiveness before efficiency. Many senior managers attend my courses, and almost every time, one of them will ask:

“Aren’t these principles just a common-sense way to work?”READ MORE

The Silent Killer in Your Agile Process

Suppose you have Agile teams and things look good. Folks work on important initiatives, do high-value work, get feedback regularly, and deliver finished products/services to their intended consumers frequently.

Question: How long before things start to break down?
READ MORE

Gil’s #1 Advice for New Agile Teams

Let’s say you’re joining a newly formed Agile team. Whether as a member or a leader, how can you help your team succeed?READ MORE

“Agile for Humans” Podcast with Gil Broza on the Agile Mindset (14-min mp3)

At the 2016 Path to Agility conference in Columbus, Gil gave the keynote Being Agile: Having the Mindset that Delivers. Ryan Ripley, host of the Agile for Humans podcast, interviewed him about this topic.

READ MORE

Careful with That Deadline

Next time you attach a deadline to some work, check your assumptions.READ MORE

How Do You Learn Agile?

If you’re picking up a new skill, method, or tool, how do you learn to apply it?

Perhaps you like to read instructions and follow them. Or maybe you prefer to have an expert teach you. Another option is trial-and-error. There are multiple learning styles.

What if you’re learning something as deep and impactful as an overall approach to work, such as Agile?

READ MORE