Is Your Team Heading For a Win? - Mike Cohn

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Sep 15, 2025

As summer fades and fall approaches, the discussion dives into the essence of teamwork in both sports and agile environments. The speaker shares insights on how engaged team members, willing to set aside egos, elevate their overall performance. Drawing compelling parallels between baseball and agile teams, the conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, flexibility, and mutual support. When individuals prioritize collective success over personal accolades, everyone thrives—on the field and in the workplace.

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ANECDOTE

Predicting Winners By Effort

Mike Cohn describes predicting baseball winners after one or two innings based on effort and engagement.
He recounts teams running down every foul ball and backing each other up to illustrate teamwork over ego.

INSIGHT

Ego Undermines Team Performance

Agile teams perform best when members set aside ego and help beyond strict roles.
Rigid role adherence (e.g., programmers who only code) undermines team success.

ADVICE

Pitch In To Cover Gaps

When teammates need help, step in if you can and cover missing responsibilities.
Expect people to back up others and hustle to complete collective work like covering first base.

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Is Your Team Heading For a Win?

It’s officially the end of summer here in the U.S. Part of me is sad. Cooler temps mean it’s time for me to hang up my wakeboard and store my boat for the season.
But part of me welcomes the move to falling leaves, long sleeves, and Major League Baseball playoffs. I’m a big Dodgers fan, and I’m hoping they make it to the post-season again this year.
But even if my team doesn’t go, I’ll still watch the playoffs and World Series–both because I’m a fan and also to see if I can predict the winning team. And while I’m no Nostradamus, I do have a bit of a superpower. After just one or two innings, I can often tell who is going to win the game.
Why? Because it’s usually clear that one team is trying just a little bit harder. They’re not pitching any better or getting more hits–they’re just more engaged.
They’re running down every foul ball, even when it’s already crossed into the stands. They’re moving toward every hit, only backing off when a teammate yells, “Mine.” From the superstars to the backup right fielder, everyone on the field is looking for ways to contribute, even when it’s outside their role.
It’s a thrill to watch teams like this: Teams who have put their individual egos aside to win the game.

I’ve seen the same thing happen with successful agile teams, too.
Agile teams thrive when team members let go of their egos and do what needs to be done. Agile teams struggle when people stay too rigidly in their most comfortable role–a programmer who refuses to do anything but code or an architect who won’t come down from the ivory tower to dirty his or her hands with actual code.

The Best Agile Teams Operate without Ego“Agile teams thrive when team members let go of their egos and do what needs to be done.”I’m not saying that everyone needs to be a generalist–that would be like having your pitcher also play first base! What I am saying is if that first baseman has to field the ball, I expect the pitcher to hustle over and cover first to make the out. And if the testers are behind or someone has run into a roadblock, I expect to see anyone who is able help out.
On high-performing teams, each person plays their part as best as they can, and looks for opportunities to back up their teammates when they need help.
On these teams, it seems as if everyone starts each day thinking: “How can I best help the team win today?”
When team members have a winning attitude, I’m willing to bet they’re on the move from good to great.

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