Walking Their Talk, Sustainability, Inspiration
Robert Galen
Sustainability

I saw this wonderfully courageous and informative post by Sabine Canditt the other day where she wrote about Sustainable Scrum. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sustainable-scrum-responsible-choice-sabine-canditt-x0gef

After just completing a The Week program facilitated by the amazing Ann-Marie Kong, it touched my heart.

That said, I wanted to highlight one comment reaction/interaction between Sabine and Erich Bühler 

Erich said—

Thank you for bringing this approach into the world! Scrum does provide an iterative approach for teams to create value, but its scope is limited to the product level and struggles with dynamics across the whole organization for several reasons.
Without updating the underlying business and financial model at a strategic level, Scrum alone cannot transform organization-wide sustainability.

Sustainability
Short-takes, Inspiration
Robert Galen
Sandy’s Take
Sandy’s Take
Short-takes, Personal Thoughts
Robert Galen
The Human Aspects of Agile Coaching
The Human Aspects of Agile Coaching
Coaching, ACGW, Personal Thoughts
Robert Galen
Keys to Building your Coaching Relationships

I talk a lot about the first step in coaching any client (individual, system, team, etc.) is to build a relationship, gain empathy and understanding, and then gain an idea of where/how to help initially. So, do NOT start to coach until you’ve done some relationship-building. 

But what does a coaching relationship, or a professional relationship in general, look like? What are aspects of that? Here are a few things that come to my mind—

  • Making + taking the time.

  • Explaining what you do—what is Agile Coaching.

  • Building some empathy; walking in their shoes; understanding where they are coming from.

  • Meeting them where they are.

  • Listening; reflective listening; building metaphors together.

  • Connecting with their language, not yours.

Keys to Building your Coaching Relationships
Personal Thoughts, Short-takes
Robert Galen
Privilege Awareness

I recently replied to a LinkedIn post by David Pereira. It was a wonderful post, and I applaud David’s boldness and courage in sharing it. 

Here’s a post comment from Stefan Wolpers—

While I agree fully with your personal stance regarding professionalism, David Pereira, some people will shy away, given the current economic climate. Some of the previously aggravated people may seek an opportunity to settle scores.

And here’s my comment—

I love the clarity (No BS) here. Clarity for David and clarity for those who want to work with and who don't want to work with him.
That said, David has the unique privilege that allows him to adopt this clarity. Many don't.

This post is not about David per se. Instead, he inspired me to write it.

Privilege Awareness

Meta-cast

,

Thank you, Josh Anderson

,

Let me start by saying Josh is going to hate this. He really doesn’t like it when I celebrate, appreciate, or applaud him. Is it humility, shyness, or something else? We’ll never know. So, I apologize for it in advance, Josh. 

I was listening to the 173rd episode of the Meta-cast today where Josh and I are talking about “hard bits” in our leadership and agile journeys. And something struck me…hard!

Josh is a great partner. He…

  • Listens to me and injects really wonderful points when I’m taking a breath;

  • Has grown SO MUCH over the 10+ years of the Meta-cast;

  • Takes feedback like a sponge (a good thing) and importantly, internalizes it and acts on it;

  • Is patient with me and respectful of me (no easy task);

  • Has wonderful agile chops and experience to share. He’s just so well-rounded!

  • A courageous agile leader who walks his talk (when so few do)…always;

  • Is committed to his family and makes them central in his life;

  • Shows vulnerability all of the time, admitting his mistakes and humanness;

  • Allows me to have the perception of control in the Meta-cast, when he really is the producer.

Bromance

Yes, I have a bromance with Josh Anderson. And it’s because of how real, genuine, and nice he is.

Beyond everything, Josh is kind and genuinely cares for others. Joshua Anderson, my life is so much richer because of you and I appreciate you each and every day.

Now, if I could only get you to regularly plan for the Meta-cast…

Happy birthday, Josh (8/18), stay agile my friends, and stay agile Josh,

Bob.