The Agile Skills Library

Geoff Watts · Paul Goddard
  • 5.0 (3)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Agile Skills Library — a practical, human-centred podcast for anyone who wants to get better at agile beyond the framework. Created and curated by Geoff Watts and Paul Goddard, this podcast draws on over 50 years of combined experience working with teams, leaders, Scrum Masters, and organisations across a wide range of industries. Each episode focuses on one skill that great agile practitioners rely on every day — facilitation, coaching, decision-making, conflict, communication, systems thinking, and leading in uncertainty.

  1. 28 APR

    EP13: Hot Seat Questions: Practicing Powerful Questioning in Agile Coaching

    Geoff and Paul discuss “powerful questioning” in agile coaching and introduce a practice technique called Hot Seat Questions. They note the term “powerful questions” is often overused and shouldn’t be forced, but good questions can help shift thinking and open up new solutions. In the exercise, a group designates a “hot seat” where one person shares a coaching scenario for 30–60 seconds; each listener then asks one question that the hot-seat person does not answer, but instead gives feedback on the question’s impact (e.g., “That question was powerful because…” or “It could have been more powerful if…”). They emphasise psychological safety, letting go of the need to know, avoiding leading or rambling questions, and noticing nonverbal cues. They end with a brief example and mention downloadable guidance and a request for reviews. Downloadable content: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep13-hot-seat-questions 00:00 Welcome and Catch Up 01:06 What Makes Questions Powerful 03:57 Hot Seat Questions Overview 04:58 How to Run the Exercise 07:51 What Powerful Looks Like 09:22 Safety and Letting Go 11:13 Feedback Structure and Observations 12:35 Common Question Traps 15:05 Live Hot Seat Demo 19:19 Wrap Up and Resources

    22 min

  2. 21 APR

    EP12: Exploring the 3D Team Dynamics Model

    In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, hosts Paul Goddard and Geoff Watts introduce their audience to the 3D Team Dynamics model. They delve into the origin and application of this technique, which helps in assessing and improving team behaviours. The model categorises behaviours into developing, detailing, and disruptive actions, with subcategories for each. The hosts also discuss the concept of a team heat map, which tracks physical movement and airtime distribution within a team. Throughout the episode, they encourage listeners to try out these techniques and provide downloadable content for practical use. Downloadable content: https://www.agilify.co.uk/resources/the-agile-skills-library/ep12-exploring-the-3d-team-dynamics-model/ 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:35 Introducing 3D Team Dynamics 02:23 Developing Actions in Team Dynamics 05:42 Detailing Actions in Team Dynamics 08:47 Disruptive Behaviours in Team Dynamics 11:56 Using the 3D Team Dynamics Data 17:51 Team Heat Map: The Fourth Dimension 21:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    23 min

  3. 14 APR

    EP11: The Coaching Equation for Successful Change

    In this episode of the Agile Skills Podcast, hosts Geoff Watts and Paul Goddard introduce a valuable tool they call the 'coaching equation for coaching change.' This equation helps coaches and individuals effectively implement desired changes by balancing benefits, costs, and the probability of success. They discuss the importance of internalising the benefits, acknowledging costs, and strategies to increase the likelihood of success. The episode also includes practical examples and emphasizes the emotional aspects of motivation. A downloadable canvas is provided to help practitioners put the technique into practice. Downloadable Content: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep11-the-change-equation 00:00 Introduction to the Agile Skills Library 00:29 Welcome Back to the Agile Skills Podcast 00:39 Introducing the Coaching Equation 04:24 Understanding the Benefits of Change 09:01 Identifying the Costs of Change 13:46 Probability of Success in Change 16:01 Increasing Your Chances of Success 24:02 Conclusion and Next Steps

    26 min

  4. 7 APR

    EP10: Collaborative Prioritisation with 'Pass the Cards' Technique

    In this episode of Agile Skills Library, hosts Geoff and Paul introduce a collaborative prioritisation technique known as 'Pass the Cards,' also referred to as '35.' Originally mentioned by Jean Tabaka, the method is designed to engage multiple voices in prioritising product backlog items. The hosts provide detailed instructions on facilitating the game with stakeholders, including using different scales and rounds to derive a collective priority list. They also discuss the importance of having a north star or overall goal, managing subjectivity, and leveraging the technique for enhanced collaboration and effective decision-making. Practical tips and potential variations for the exercise are shared, along with advice for agile coaches and trainers. Downloadble content available at: https://www.agilify.co.uk/resources/the-agile-skills-library/ep10-collaborative-prioritisation-with-pass-the-cards-technique/ 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:10 Overview of the Technique 00:43 Origins and Acknowledgements 01:32 Why Use This Technique? 02:27 Step-by-Step Method 05:24 Facilitation Tips and Common Issues 11:22 Scaling and Group Dynamics 12:52 Learning Points and Practical Applications 16:45 Conclusion and Resources

    18 min

  5. 31 MAR

    EP9: The 5-5-5 Technique

    In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, hosts Geoff Watts and Paul Goddard introduce the 5-5-5 technique, a simple yet powerful method to boost confidence and alleviate imposter syndrome among agile practitioners. The technique involves asking five trusted individuals five specific questions that highlight personal strengths, which they then verbalise back to the requester. This personalised feedback aims to help individuals internalise positive traits, creating a balanced self-perception. This method can be used by individuals or teams to cultivate a more confident and effective agile environment. Downloadable Content: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep9-555-technique 00:00 Introduction to the Agile Skills Library 00:17 Introducing the 5-5-5 Technique 01:02 Why the 5-5-5 Technique is Essential 02:34 How to Implement the 5-5-5 Technique 04:42 Questions to Ask in the 5-5-5 Technique 06:02 Receiving and Internalising Feedback 10:57 Applying the 5-5-5 Technique in Teams 12:00 Conclusion and Additional Resources

    13 min

  6. 24 MAR

    EP8: Leveraging Video Reviews to Abstract Thinking

    In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, coaches Geoff and Paul discuss the concept of video reviews, a method they’ve used in advanced Scrum Master training for over a decade. Inspired by NBA coach Phil Jackson's unconventional methods, they explain how videos and various other media can provide valuable insights for scrum masters and product owners. They describe the structure they use (What, So What, Now What) to help students digest and apply the content. They also share plans to provide tools and curated video content for listeners to try the exercise themselves, aiming to foster deeper learning and broader connections beyond traditional scrum and agile topics. Downloadble content available at: https://www.agilify.co.uk/resources/the-agile-skills-library/ep8-leveraging-video-reviews-to-abstract-thinking/ 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:09 The Concept of Video Reviews 01:13 Origins and Inspiration from Phil Jackson 03:20 Implementing Video Reviews in Training 04:10 Benefits and Outcomes of Video Reviews 06:32 Practical Application and Structure 13:08 Diverse Content and Storytelling 14:01 Conclusion and Resources

    16 min

  7. 17 MAR

    EP7: Exploring Core Values: A Key Exercise for Personal and Team Growth

    In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, the hosts introduce the 'core values exercise,' a simple yet impactful technique used in both individual and team coaching sessions to uncover and understand core values. The hosts demonstrate the process using a deck of cards, guiding listeners on how to identify their most important values and explaining the significance of being aware of these values. The exercise is noted for its wide applicability and potential to enhance self-awareness, decision-making, and team dynamics. Helpful resources for listeners to implement this technique themselves are also provided. Downloadable Content: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep7-exploring-core-values-a-key-exercise-for-personal-and-team-growth 00:00 Introduction to the Core Values Exercise 00:44 Why Core Values Matter 02:36 The Core Values Exercise: Step-by-Step 04:19 Refining Your Core Values 06:41 Revealing and Reflecting on Core Values 09:28 Applying Core Values in Daily Life 15:29 Conclusion and Additional Resources

    17 min

  8. 10 MAR

    EP6: Surviving the Stakeholder Safari: Expedition Mapping for Challenging Conversations

    Geoff and Paul discuss Geoff’s new book, "Surviving the Stakeholder Safari," a stakeholder-management approach using “expedition mapping” as an alternative to their earlier “battle mapping” metaphor. The method uses 50 animal archetypes (each an acronym) to describe common workplace behaviors such as the seagull and the lion, stressing empathy and avoiding labeling people as villains. Geoff outlines six steps: set a clear destination, define non-negotiables, identify relevant animals, assess likelihood/impact and triggers (including pack dynamics and balancing stakeholder types), choose strategies/tactics for each archetype, and “pack your backpack” with navigation, evidence, relationship, boundary, and self-management tools. They note the value of storytelling and visual, card-based mapping, and share where to find the book and a downloadable expedition mapping template. Downloadable content here: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep6-expedition-mapping 01:03 Book Launch Announcement 02:07 From Battle to Safari 02:54 Animal Archetypes Explained 04:26 Expedition Mapping Setup 05:54 Six Steps Overview 06:41 Step Two Non Negotiables 07:43 Step Three Identify Animals 09:45 No Labeling Just Empathy 11:25 Step Four Risk Assessment 12:42 Packs and Stakeholder Dynamics 14:44 Step Five Strategy Planning 14:58 Tactics for Seagulls 16:01 Handling the Lion Now 17:04 Pick Tactics per Animal 17:22 Pack Your Backpack 18:07 Navigation and Evidence Tools 19:51 Relationship and Boundary Tools 21:24 Self Management Tools 23:48 Wrap Up and Resources

    28 min
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About

Welcome to The Agile Skills Library — a practical, human-centred podcast for anyone who wants to get better at agile beyond the framework. Created and curated by Geoff Watts and Paul Goddard, this podcast draws on over 50 years of combined experience working with teams, leaders, Scrum Masters, and organisations across a wide range of industries. Each episode focuses on one skill that great agile practitioners rely on every day — facilitation, coaching, decision-making, conflict, communication, systems thinking, and leading in uncertainty.

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  • Creator
    Geoff Watts · Paul Goddard
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Geoff Watts · Paul Goddard
  • Show Website
    The Agile Skills Library

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