Mob Anti-Patterns Explained: Fly on the Wall, Runaway Driver, and More with James Herr

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we sit down with James Herr from Flexion to explore the dark side of mob programming — the anti-patterns that quietly erode collaboration, learning, and flow in your team.

From the “Fly on the Wall” who silently observes but never joins in, to the “Runaway Driver” who takes control and goes rogue, and the “Knee-High Navigator” who dictates every keystroke, these relatable scenarios shine a light on what can go wrong during mob or ensemble programming sessions — and, we share some potential experiments ideas to address them.

James shares real-world insights from years of ensemble experience, walking through the subtle behaviors and team dynamics that lead to these anti-patterns. The discussion moves beyond surface-level symptoms to uncover psychological safety, learning theft, and communication habits that make or break mobbing success.

You’ll learn:
- What causes common mob programming anti-patterns — and how to recognize them early
- Practical techniques to help newcomers integrate smoothly without being overwhelmed
- How to use “strong-style” collaboration and mini-retros to restore balance in a team
- When to “let it cook” vs. when to intervene to prevent runaway drivers
- How to cultivate high-level navigation and reduce micromanagement in coding sessions
- Why “white-glove” onboarding for visitors and new mobbers accelerates learning and trust
- How naming patterns improves team reflection, vocabulary, and psychological safety

This episode dives deep into the human side of technical collaboration, blending agile principles, systems thinking, and lived experience from teams practicing mob and ensemble programming every day.

Whether you’re a developer, product owner, engineering leader, or agile coach, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to identify and correct these patterns — before they derail your team’s effectiveness.

Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/NxLor73Rgds