Agile Mentors Podcast Brian Milner and Guests

Join Brian and Agile coaching expert Vinnie Gills as they tackle the complexities of being an Agile coach and working with and among teams. Discover key strategies for overcoming conflicts and enhancing teamwork within the coaching community.


Overview

In this insightful episode, Brian and Vinnie Gill dive deep into the often overlooked challenges that arise in Agile coaching.


They discuss the common pain points and conflicts that can disrupt professional relationships and share effective strategies for creating a more cohesive and supportive coaching environment.


Listeners will gain valuable insights into recognizing and leveraging personal and collective strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that Agile coaches not only preach transformative practices but also embody them in their interactions. Tune in to learn how to foster strong, productive relationships within your Agile coaching community.


Listen Now to Discover:

[1:10] - Brian welcomes business agility coach and speaker Vinnie Gill.

[8:07] - Vinnie unpacks the reasons behind the high number of reports about challenging Agilists, highlighting the traits that contribute to their tough demeanor.

[10:12] - Vinnie emphasizes the critical importance of 'starting with why' to forge stronger and more effective working relationships.

[13:58] - Vinnie talks about the importance of coaches applying their own methods to themselves, sharing a real-life example of this practice in action.

[17:14] - Brian invites listeners to deepen their coaching skills by joining him or Lance Dacy in an Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®. 

[18:49] - Vinnie explains the counterproductive coaching anti-archetypes she has encountered, shedding light on common pitfalls to avoid in coaching roles.

[20:03] - Brian describes how Mountain Goat Software approaches empathy as a team of individuals.

[22:15] - Discover how Vinnie takes empathy further by recommending the addition of compassion to enhance team interactions and support.

[23:43] - Explore with Brian the critical role of deliberately designing a team's social contract to enhance collaboration and team dynamics.

[27:00] - Vinnie delves into how understanding and leveraging both our strengths and weaknesses can lead to greater personal and professional growth.

[27:31] - Vinnie underscores the critical need for mental health and self-care among agile coaches to safeguard against burnout and maintain peak performance.

[31:28] - Brian shares a big thank you to Vinnie for joining him on the show.

[32:00] - If you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. You get a year of free membership into that site by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software, such as Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®. We'd love to see you in one of Mountain Goat Software's classes, you can find the schedule here.

[32:20] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. 


References and resources mentioned in the show:

Vinnie Gill

Vinnie’s Agile 2023 Speech

#54 Unlocking Agile’s Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy

#89: Transformational One-on-Ones with Avipaul Bhandari

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®

Certified ScrumMaster® Training and Scrum Certification

Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule

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:

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's

Join Brian as he and Arlen Bankston unveil the secrets of Liquid Agility in this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast. Dive into how this innovative framework revolutionizes product management and fills the gaps in traditional Agile methodologies


Overview

In this episode Brian and Arlen Bankston delve into the intricacies of Liquid Agility, a comprehensive framework designed to enhance agile practices with its unique focus on prioritization, preparation, and outcome evaluation.


Arlen walks us through the JUICE framework, which categorizes work into distinct streams—innovation, iteration, and operation—and discusses strategies for refining projects and maximizing the impact of released features.


Whether you're a product owner, Scrum practitioner, or Agile enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into making agile methodologies more effective and adaptable to your needs. Tune in to transform your approach to product management and Agile practices with cutting-edge insights from Liquid Agility.


Listen Now to Discover:

[1:15] - Brian welcomes Scrum veteran, Certified Scrum Trainer®, partner at Grow-Lean LLC, author of HR and the Agile Organization, and creator of Liquid Agility.

[2:53] - Explore the concept of Liquid Agility with Arlen as he reveals how it enriches traditional Agile practices, adding layers of depth and adaptability to methodologies

[4:59] - Arlen discusses how Liquid Agility transforms prioritization, making it simpler to categorize tasks and put user needs first for more effective project management.

[7:45] - Brian sheds light on the elegant simplicity and balance that Liquid Agility brings to the table, streamlining processes without sacrificing depth.

[10:05] - Arlen delves into the nuances of his prioritization framework, giving a detailed walkthrough of the JUICE framework and its strategic benefits.

[14:30] - Deepen your understanding and work hands-on to practice and understand the craft of being a great product owner by taking a Certified Scrum Product Owner® (CSPO) or Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® with Mountain Goat Software. Plus, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Mike Cohn’s Agile Mentors Community, including twelve months of ongoing coaching and support. Find a complete list of our upcoming classes on the Mountain Goat Software's Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule.

[24:55] - Arlen outlines effective strategies for teams to evaluate and select the tools that best align with their specific needs and goals.

[27:59] - Arlen explains the essentials of readiness within the dynamic Liquid Agility framework, highlighting what true preparedness looks like in an Agile context.

[31:30] - Brian shares a big thank you to Arlen for joining him on the show.

[33:39] - If you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. You get a year of free membership into that site by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software, such as CSM or CSPO. We also have Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®, where we get right into the good stuff and have some deep discussions. We'd love to see you in one of Mountain Goat Software's classes. You can find the schedule here.

[34:12] - If you liked the episode, share with any product owner you think might benefit from the discussion today, too!

[34:30] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Send us an email.

[34:46] - Catch Brian live and in person, and hear him speak at the upcoming 2024 Global Scrum Gathering in New Orleans and the Agile 2024 Conference in Dallas.


References and resources mentioned in the show:

Arlen Bankston

Grow-Lean, LLC

HR and the Agile Organization by Arlen Bankston

Liquid Agility

#3: What Makes a Great Product Owner? With Lance Dacy

#14: What does it mean to be Product-Centric? With Scott Dunn

#50: Exploring the Roles of Scrum Master an

Join Brian and Sumeet Moghe as they discuss transforming the focus and efficiency of Agile teams in our always-on world. Discover how to master asynchronous work to enhance decision-making and improve team dynamics.


Overview

On this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Sumeet Moghe, author of the Async First Playbook, in this enlightening episode as he explores the pivotal role of asynchronous work within Agile frameworks.


Sumeet shares his insights on fostering deep focus, enhancing decision-making, and pragmatically adapting Agile practices to meet unique team needs. Delve into the challenges and strategies for securing team buy-in, balancing synchronous with asynchronous tasks, and building cohesion in distributed teams.


This episode is packed with actionable advice on creating a supportive, safe, and productive environment through intentional communication and strategic face-to-face interactions. Tune in to reshape your team's approach to collaboration and productivity in the asynchronous era.


Listen Now to Discover:

[1:15] - Brian welcomes Sumeet Moghe, Transformation Specialist and Product Manager at Thoughtworks and author of The Asynch-First Playbook.

[2:18] - Dive into Sumeet's captivating journey to mastering asynchronous work, exploring how his deep-seated passion sparked innovative approaches in his professional life.

[5:11] - Brian expertly connects Agile principles to the unique challenges of asynchronous work, offering insightful solutions for today’s distributed work environments.

[7:32] - Sumeet unveils critical insights from his extensive experience in asynchronous work, offering valuable lessons for mastering remote collaboration.

[10:57] - Highlighting the challenges that conventional Agile practitioners encounter in asynchronous environments, Brian turns to Sumeet for practical solutions to address these issues constructively.

[16:26] - Are you ready to take your Asynchronous work to the next level? Consider taking Mountain Goat Software’s Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (ACSM) class to dive deeper into facilitating and thriving with an asynchronous team. To learn more, check out the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule.

[19:28] - Sumeet outlines effective strategies for conducting Sprint Planning sessions with asynchronous teams, ensuring smooth collaboration and productivity across different time zones.

[24:32] - Sumeet addresses team building on asynchronous teams, highlighting and walking through the asynchronous application of the work of Amy Edmonson and Google’s Project Aristotle, developing psychological safety.

[32:52] - To foster deeper trust and reduce conflicts, Sumeet advises using the cost savings from asynchronous work to facilitate in-person team interactions.

[35:20] - Brian shares a big thank you to Sumeet for joining him on the show and bringing his unique experience to the conversation.

[36:10] - If you enjoyed this topic, we invite you to share the episode with a friend or on social media. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on your podcast platform of choice.

[37:19] - Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Send us an email.

[36:10] - If you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. You get a year of free membership into that site by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software.


References and resources mentioned in the show:

Sumeet Moghe

The Asynch-First Playbook by Sumeet Moghe

Thoughtworks

Sumeet's Photography

The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson

Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (ACSM)

Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule

Mountain Goat Software

Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast

Join the Agile Mentors Community


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

Join Brian as he explores the Change Initiative Canvas with Dr. Steve Martin, a groundbreaking tool designed to streamline and succeed in organizational change efforts. Learn how to tackle change with clarity and strategic foresight.


Overview

In this insightful episode, Brian Milner and Dr. Steve Martin dive deep into the mechanics of the Change Initiative Canvas, a strategic framework developed to guide organizations through successful transformations.


They discuss critical aspects such as setting clear objectives, measuring impact, handling objections, and the importance of cultural alignment within the organization. Whether you're initiating small adjustments or major shifts, this discussion provides the essential tools and tactics to navigate change effectively and achieve meaningful, sustainable results.


Listen Now to Discover:

[1:10] - Brian welcomes Dr. Steve Martin, PhD, Certified Scrum Trainer®, CEO of Agility Guides, and professor at Franklin University and creator of the Change Initiative Canvas.

[2:38] - Steve unveils the intriguing origins of the Change Initiative Canvas, sharing the inspiration and journey behind its creation.

[4:38] - Steve breaks down the concept of failure, offering insightful strategies on how to interpret and learn from setbacks.

[7:00] - Steve delves into the essentials of recognizing when change is necessary by questioning the underlying reasons and observing the problem's impact.

[11:29] - Brian emphasizes how understanding the customer's immediate need for change is vital for navigating towards the right solutions.

[14:34] - Steve explains the delicate balance between thoroughly understanding a problem and avoiding the trap of analysis paralysis.

[15:24] - Explore your Agile potential with the custom Elements of Agile assessment, crafted by Mike and Brian to help you gauge your team’s current agility and identify opportunities for growth.

[17:17] - Steve emphasizes the significance of clearly outlining what success entails to align efforts and expectations across the board.

[20:29] - Explore effective strategies for navigating resistance and overcoming constraints during a change initiative, ensuring smoother transitions and successful outcomes.

[26:48] - Steve highlights the critical need to understand an organization's culture and outlines methods for accurately assessing it to ensure alignment with strategic initiatives.

[30:46] - Steve encourages listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn and explore the practical tools and resources available on the Agility Guides Resources page, designed to enhance real-world Agile practices.

[31:56] - Brian expresses his heartfelt gratitude to Steve for sharing his insights on the show, enriching the conversation with his expertise.

[32:34] - Continue the conversation and deepen your Agile knowledge by joining the Agile Mentors Community. Enjoy a complimentary year-long membership by enrolling in any Mountain Goat Software, such as the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO).

[33:24] - Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast and spread the word to anyone who might appreciate our discussions. Have feedback or an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you—drop us an email!


References and resources mentioned in the show:

Steve Martin

Agility Guides

Change Initiative Canvas

Agility Guides Resources

Elements of Agile

Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast

Certified ScrumMaster® Training and Scrum Certification

Certified Scrum Product Owner® Training

Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule

Join the Agile Mentors Community


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@mou

Join Brian and Anthony Coppedge as they unlock the secrets to bridging the team-leadership divide. Learn how to navigate through fear, short-term thinking, and the transformative power of Agile within top-tier organizations like IBM.





Overview

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down for a groundbreaking conversation with Anthony Coppedge, of IBM and creator of the Retrospective Radar.


They delve deep into the disconnects plaguing organizations between their teams and leadership. From overcoming fear and fostering long-term value to harnessing the strength of middle management and the critical role of data-driven decision-making, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights for those looking to drive agility and foster a culture of transparency and success in their organizations.


Join us to explore how translating team realities into leadership vision can catalyze meaningful change and position companies for enduring success.


Listen Now to Discover:

[1:18] - Brian welcomes Anthony Coppedge, IBM's business agility expert.

[2:40] - Unveiling the core issue, Anthony explores how fear fuels the disconnect between teams and their leaders, offering insights into bridging this crucial gap.

[4:04] - Anthony highlights the power for the team in delivering real value for the benefit of others.

[5:14] - Hear Anthony unpack the significance of scalability in systems and processes, highlighting its role in enabling organizations to adapt and thrive, and what the conversations with the teams can look like to achieve scalability.

[6:00] - Anthony lays out vivid examples of the existing gap between teams and leadership, offering insightful strategies needed to effectively bridge this divide.

[7:50] - Highlighting the pivotal role of middle management, Anthony suggests leveraging these key players as connectors between teams and top leadership.

[8:50] - Anthony shows how to effectively convey the ground-level realities of teams to leadership, ensuring their efforts are directly linked to the organization's overarching direction.

[10:30] - Brian emphasizes the critical need to grasp what drives leaders, advocating for the translation of team insights into a language that resonates with leadership priorities.

[13:59] - Anthony explores how adopting a client-centric approach fosters transparency in communication, ensuring clarity and alignment across all levels.

[16:31] - Bridge the gap between your leadership and teams by helping the leaders to expand their Agile language and experience with Mountain Goat Software’s Agile For Leaders Course.

[18:34] - Anthony proposes actionable strategies and the importance of teams spearheading cultural shifts within their organizations, steering them towards embracing Agile principles.

[21:43] - Highlighting the strategic use of data, Anthony discusses how it can illuminate results and motivate shifts towards better practices.

[29:14] - Brian unveils Anthony's innovative approach to reflection and growth with 'The Retrospective Radar.'

[36:11] - Brian shares a big thank you to Anthony for joining him on the show and invites listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn.

[37:27] - We invite you to share the podcast with friends and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email.

[38:06] - If you’d like to continue this discussion on the episode specific discussion forums on the Agile Mentors Community. You get a year of free membership into that site by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software.

[38:48] - Brian invites listeners to join him live and in person at the 2024 Global Scrum Gathering in New Orleans and the Agile2024 conference in Dallas.


References and resources mentioned in the show:

Anthony Coppedge

Retrospective Radar

Retrospective Radar Template

Creative Commons usage rights for the Retrospective Radar

Agile For Leaders

Join the Agile Mentors Co

Explore the skills revolution with Brian and Evan Leybourn of the Business Agility Institute as they dive into a landmark study on the skills shaping today's workforce. Learn why adaptability, human skills, and agile acumen are the keys to success.


Overview

In an enlightening episode, Brian sits down with Evan Leybourn, co-founder of the Business Agility Institute, to delve into recent research findings on the essential skills for the modern workforce.


They discuss the paramount importance of human skills over technical abilities in hiring, the emergence of 'pi-shaped' professionals who excel in multiple domains, and the critical role of agile acumen across various job roles. Additionally, they address the pressing need for educational systems to pivot from traditional role-based learning to a more versatile skill-based approach.


This episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to navigate the workforce's future, offering deep insights into adapting and thriving in an ever-evolving professional landscape.


Listen Now to Discover:

[1:17] - Join Brian in a captivating session with Evan Leybourn, the innovative author and co-founder of the Business Agility Institute, as they explore groundbreaking insights into agility and workforce evolution.

[2:32] - Discover the unexpected findings from Evan's recent study, ‘Skills in the New World of Work,’ on the workforce's most sought-after skills and their pivotal role in modern hiring practices.

[4:50] - Brian sheds light on the rising value of soft, or human, skills in the workforce, suggesting a pivotal expansion of Scrum Master skills to embrace these vital attributes.

[8:00] - Evan reveals their unexpected discovery: organizations are increasingly seeking 'pi-shaped' skills that blend diverse areas of expertise.

[12:45] - Perfect your human skills and refresh your Agile approach with Mountain Goat Software’s Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® courses. For further details, visit the Mountain Goat Software training schedule.

[15:05] - Unpacking the idea of 'pi-shaped' professionals, Evan details how these unique individuals bring multiple skill sets to one role, elevating their effectiveness and output, using a full-stack developer as an example.

[16:22] - Evan tackles the provocative statement that Agile is dead, offering insights and counterarguments to this bold claim.

[21:47] - Evan highlights a key finding: Agile Acumen emerges as the runner-up in the most coveted skills during the hiring process across organizations.

[24:50] - Evan stresses an important takeaway: 'The skills you have are valuable,' pointing out that the essence of Agile expertise transcends the exact wording of job descriptions.

[27:05] - Highlighting a necessary evolution in learning, Evan advocates for a move towards skill-based training and education, away from traditional role-focused models, to better prepare for the workforce of tomorrow.

[29:21] - Brian shares his gratitude for Evan and his work to help better understand the job market.

[30:02] - Brian invites listeners to join both him and Evan live and in person at the Global Scrum Gathering 2024 in New Orleans.

[30:33] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email.

[31:03] - If you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. You get a year of free membership into that site by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software, such as CSM or CSPO. We'd love to see you in one of Mountain Goat Software's classes, you can find the schedule here.


References and resources mentioned in the show:

Evan Leybourn

Skills in the New World of Work: Which Agile Skills are Most In-Demand in Today's Workforce?

Business Agility Institute

Directing The Agile Organization: A Lean Approach To Business Management by Evan Leybourn

#noprojects: A Culture of Continu