The Agile CEO

In this episode of Season 2 of The Agile CEO, JJ Sutherland sits down with General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, to explore how agility is transforming one of the world’s oldest and most tradition-bound institutions.As the senior leader of tens of thousands of sailors and marines, Jenkins has seen firsthand how rigid bureaucracies stall decision-making and threaten mission readiness. In this candid conversation, he shares why he chose to go “all-in” on Scrum, how breaking down rank and hierarchy liberated his people, and why time—not resources—is the greatest risk any leader faces.From reorganizing centuries of tradition to turning agility into a warfighting capability, Jenkins reveals what it takes to lead through complexity, inspire high performance, and create teams that move at the pace of relevance.If you are a leader navigating bureaucracy, entrenched systems, or the pressures of modern competition, this episode shows how agility can cut through complexity and unlock speed, resilience, and purpose.Schedule a free consultation with Scrum Inc. and mention The Agile CEO. Don’t forget to subscribe, watch, and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.🖥️ | Learn more:⁠⁠ https://www.scruminc.com/⁠⁠📆 | Schedule Free Consultation: ⁠⁠https://www.scruminc.com/consulting/

In this second episode of Season 2 of The Agile CEO, JJ Sutherland sits down with Matthew Jacobs, Chief Product Owner of Consulting at Scrum Inc., to explore why so many operating models are failing and what leaders can do about it.Operating models are the hidden blueprint of how organizations run. In today’s complex and fast changing world, traditional structures are breaking down, stalling innovation, and slowing decision making. Jacobs shares why simplicity, speed, and iteration are now the ultimate competitive advantages and how executives can start redesigning their operating models without disrupting the entire enterprise.From cutting through buzzwords to tackling the hard truths of transformation, this conversation reveals how Agile principles can help leaders reimagine their organizations to be faster, more adaptable, and more resilient.If you are a leader frustrated with bureaucracy, complexity, or a three year roadmap that never ends, this episode shows how an Agile operating model can unlock speed and results in any industry.Schedule a free consultation with Scrum Inc. and mention The Agile CEO. Don’t forget to subscribe, watch, and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.🖥️ | Learn more:⁠https://www.scruminc.com/⁠📆 | Schedule Free Consultation: ⁠https://www.scruminc.com/consulting/

In this premiere episode of Season 2 of The Agile CEO, JJ Sutherland sits down with Daniel P. Driscoll, Secretary of the U.S. Army, to discuss the launch of one of the most ambitious transformation efforts in U.S. military history. Driscoll, the youngest Secretary of the Army since George Washington’s first appointee, is a veteran of the Iraq War, a lawyer, and a former business leader. Now, he’s leading the charge to modernize the Army and redefine how a 1.2 million-person organization makes decisions, learns, and adapts.In this conversation, Driscoll explains why urgency is non-negotiable, how Agile principles are helping dismantle outdated systems, and what it takes to shift from rigid hierarchies to fast, feedback-driven teams — especially inside the U.S. Army, the oldest and largest branch of the military, whose traditions and scale make transformation both essential and especially challenging.If you’re a leader facing entrenched systems, this episode provides a rare inside look at what it takes to bring speed, adaptability, and feedback-driven decision-making to one of the world’s largest institutions — and the lessons extend far beyond the military.Schedule a free consultation with Scrum Inc. and mention The Agile CEO. Don’t forget to subscribe, watch, and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.🖥️ | Learn more:https://www.scruminc.com/📆 | Schedule Free Consultation: https://www.scruminc.com/consulting/

Reflecting on Agile’s evolving significance, listeners are taken on a journey from crisis journalism to military logistics. The transformation of journalism during the Arab Spring exemplifies the power of collaboration and adaptability. Insights on fostering a culture of continuous improvement resonate deeply, especially the importance of starting small and focusing on outcomes. As leaders face complex challenges, the integration of Agile principles and AI emerges as a timely consideration for driving positive change. Exciting possibilities pave the way for the future ahead.

Dr. David Levine from Ariadne Labs discusses how Agile methodologies are revolutionizing healthcare, particularly through the Home Hospital model. He shares insights on improving collaboration among diverse healthcare organizations, achieving a 20% speed increase in processes. Challenges of implementing these methods in a regulated field are explored, alongside the development of knowledge products to help hospitals replicate success. The conversation emphasizes the transformative power of Agile, offering practical insights for leaders in high-stakes industries.

In this episode, JJ sits down with Darrell Rigby, partner at Bain & Company and author of Doing Agile Right, to explore why Agile is about driving real results, not just adhering to methods. Darrell reveals some of the deadly misperceptions surrounding Agile—where leaders often go wrong by turning it into a bureaucratic process or focusing too much on the framework rather than the outcomes. They dive deep into the common pitfalls organizations face when adopting Agile and how to avoid these traps by keeping the focus on innovation, adaptability, and delivering measurable business results. Darrell explains how Agile, when done right, empowers companies to move faster, break down silos, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to get Agile right and avoid the missteps that can derail even the best intentions. If you're ready to lead with purpose and unlock the true potential of Agile, Scrum Inc. can help guide the way.

Welcome to The Agile CEO, hosted by JJ Sutherland, CEO of Scrum Inc. In this episode, JJ is joined by Ganesh Jayaram, Chief Digital and Information Officer at American Airlines and former executive at John Deere, to reveal how bold, calculated risks are the key to driving real business transformation. Featured in the 10th Anniversary edition of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time, Ganesh shares the inside story of leading Agile transformations that took both organizations to new heights—modernizing legacy systems, improving efficiency, and delivering tangible results. They dive deep into why now is the time to embrace risk, leverage Agile at scale, and propel your organization ahead of the competition. Ganesh unveils key metrics like "time to understanding, decision, and execution" that empower leaders to make faster, smarter decisions and pivot effectively in high-stakes environments. This episode is a must-listen for any leader looking to ignite innovation, build resilience, and take their organization to the next level. If you're ready to make bold moves and transform your business, Scrum Inc. can help you take that first step.

Welcome to The Agile CEO, hosted by JJ Sutherland, CEO of Scrum Inc. In this episode, JJ sits down with Brad Freitag, CEO of Claris, an Apple company, to discuss what it truly means to 'Lead with Conviction.'Featured in the 10th anniversary edition of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time, Brad shares Claris' transformational journey from a traditional waterfall organization to embracing Agile and Scrum@Scale to accelerate innovation and growth. Together, they delve into the challenges of scaling Agile in a global company, building a culture of transparency, and empowering teams to turn resistance into momentum.Tune in to discover Brad’s leadership insights on creating an ecosystem that supports rapid feedback and continuous learning, and learn how conviction can guide your organization through transformational change.

Welcome to The Agile CEO, hosted by JJ Sutherland, CEO of Scrum Inc. and co-author of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time. In this episode, JJ talks with Jeff Sutherland, co-creator of Scrum, about how AI is reshaping the way we work. They discuss why AI isn’t just another tool, but a partner that can take team performance to the next level.Jeff shares real-world examples of how AI and Agile together create a powerful combination, driving innovation and helping teams move faster. If you’re not tapping into the potential of AI, you risk falling behind. This episode is packed with insights on how to leverage AI in your Agile processes to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.Tune in for a forward-thinking conversation about the future of work, and learn how you can bring AI into your own Agile teams.

Welcome to The Agile CEO, hosted by JJ Sutherland, CEO of Scrum Inc. and co-author of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time. In this episode, JJ sits down with Jeff Johnson, former Chief Technology Officer and Assistant Director at the FBI, to discuss the Sentinel project—a $400 million initiative that Jeff turned around using Agile and Scrum in the face of immense bureaucratic challenges.Jeff shares how he made bold decisions to restructure workflows, reduce headcount, and prioritize incremental progress, ultimately delivering results under budget and ahead of schedule. His story is a powerful example of how Agile can drive success even in the most challenging environments.Tune in for insights on leading radical change, motivating teams, and applying Agile principles to complex transformations, whether in government or large organizations.Connect with Jeff Johnson: Jeff Johnson.