The Agile Within

Ever found yourself trapped in the waterfall of traditional team dynamics, yearning for the agility of mountain goats? Dr. Carrie Johansson, a seasoned psychologist, guides us on a transformative hike from these rigid systems to the peak of adaptability. Drawing from her own experiences trekking through the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, she opens up about the pivotal role of psychological flexibility in making this transition. Be ready for an insightful journey into the mindscape of your team, where the terrain changes from predictable to agile.Open your minds as we dissect the psychological flexibility formula and the wonders it can achieve. With Dr. Carrie, we explore the importance of being grounded in the present, critically assessing our situation, and making the optimal next move. This isn't just about making a leap; it's about understanding the ledge you're standing on. We delve into the depths of clear communication, unmasking its potential to navigate tricky talks and foster healthy team dynamics. And that's not all. Dr. Carrie takes us on a tour of our own brains - explaining the roles of the prefrontal cortex, the mammal brain, and the back brain, and their collective power in helping us reach our full potential. We delve into metacognition and how understanding our thought processes can lead to better decision-making. We also tackle the challenges of agile implementation, moving beyond the victim mentality, and creating a psychologically safe environment. So, pack your gear and tune in as we unravel the path to psychological agility with Dr. Carrie Johansson.https://www.selfhelponthego.com/home-6070https://www.linkedin.com/in/selfhelponthego/https://www.amazon.com/Self-Help-Go-Because-Broken-Sometimes/dp/1952233860/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31XLCI8267I44&keywords=carrie+johansson&qid=1690057263&sprefix=carrie+johnson%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

Ever wonder how to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, or how to manage a distributed team across different time zones? Join us for an insightful chat with Sardor Akhmedov, who wears multiple hats as a tech entrepreneur, CRO, managing partner at Jafton.com, and an angel investor at Fathom AI. Sardor's journey from a student to co-owner of a tech business is nothing short of inspiring. He sheds light on his introduction to agile and scrum methodologies, the transition from business development to business operation, and the nitty-gritty of scaling a company. If you're striving for self-awareness and keen understanding of your entrepreneurial strengths and weaknesses, Sardor's experiences are a must-listen. We then pivot our conversation towards the challenges and potential solutions of remote work, a hot topic in today's globalized business environment. Sardor shares his wisdom gained from managing a geographically diverse team, and how he implemented core hours and adopted Time Doctor to track productivity. He underscores the need for transparency between employers and employees, and reveals how relocating his sales team to the US boosted efficiency.As we wrap up, Sardor unveils his strategies for streamlining processes, consolidating software, and motivating his team. He talks about the importance of productizing his business and balancing remote work with personal values. His valuable insights on the importance of building relationships with potential investors and leveraging technology to streamline operations are golden nuggets for anyone running or planning to start their own business. This episode is a deep dive into the challenges of running a business with a significant time zone difference and its impact on operations. Buckle up for an enriching journey with Sardor Akhmedov!www.jafton.comSardor@jafton.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sardor-akhmedov/Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

What if you could navigate the hybrid work trend seamlessly and stand out in today's saturated job market? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Leslie Pomerleau, a national recruiter in the tech space, as she unpacks the rapid shift from fully remote to hybrid work - a change affecting 85-90% of jobs today. Leslie sheds light on the complexities of this transformation, while sharing her unique insights on how to stay productive amidst the unique challenges of remote communication and the struggle to create a personal connection online.In this rapidly evolving job market, remote candidates for hybrid positions need to know how to adapt. Leslie helps us understand this change from an insider's perspective. Together, we unearth the limitations of hybrid work and unravel the implications of hiring a remote candidate for a position that is traditionally office-based. But don't worry, it's not all challenges and obstacles; Leslie also shares practical tips on how to ensure everyone feels included in the team despite their physical location.We round off our insightful conversation with thoughts on the role of branding, engagement, and personal influence in differentiating yourself from the crowd. Leslie offers her expertise on how to present oneself as a high performer in this competitive landscape. We also delve into the exciting world of AI and its impact on roles like scrum masters. Finally, we explore the value of human connection in the workplace and how remote work could be the key to boosting internal happiness. Tune in, you don't want to miss this engaging dialogue with Leslie Pomerleau.If you are looking for a job, or know of someone who is, contact Leslie below:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliepomerleau/Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

Ever thought about how to turn a potentially disruptive disagreement into a constructive conversation? Well, we've got insights galore from Mark Wavle of Unstuck Agile who's graced us with his wisdom and experiences in the realm of conflict management. Get ready to soak up some real-life instances and practical solutions that you can apply to your day-to-day interactions.We tackle topics ranging from the essence of effective communication to the potency of reflective listening. Mark shares the importance of suspending judgment and understanding the other person's perspective without starting a debate. We take this lesson further by emphasizing empathy as a tool to demonstrate understanding, and the use of 'I' statements to manage conflict. Taking a leaf from Chris Boss's book, Never Split the Difference, we underline the concept of tactical empathy, backing up the idea that understanding and being heard is what everyone seeks.Towards the end, Mark brings his Agile leadership experience into play, providing rich insights relevant to all aspects of life. We delve into creating an environment that favors listening, the implications of using the word "you" in conversations, and the advantages of beginning with low-stakes dialogues. So, brace yourselves for this enlightening episode that transforms conflict into an opportunity for personal and professional growth.Contact Mark Wavle:https://www.unstuckagile.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wavle/Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

Ready for a deep dive into the intricate dynamics of team conflict? Let's dissect it together. I'm your host, Greg Miller, and joining me is Mark Wavle, the brains behind Unstuck Agile. We've put our heads together to bring you a fresh perspective on conflict in team settings. We're not shying away from the tension, we're embracing it, unpacking why it's absolutely crucial for creative and innovative projects.Conflict isn't just a thorn in your side, it can be a catalyst for growth and learning. We'll walk you through just how avoiding conflict can stifle progress and breed mistrust. Learn from a company that welcomed open conflict, and the unexpected outcomes that ensued. Hear about Mark's personal experiences at Unstuck Agile, where he's taken on the intricate dance of initiating conflict with higher management. Understand the science behind our reactions to conflict and the tools you can harness to navigate through it. We challenge you to discard old notions of conflict and adopt a growth mindset, fostering a culture of learning in your teams.BTW: This is Mark's second round on the show that's how awesome we think he is!Contact Mark Wavle:https://www.unstuckagile.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/wavle/Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

In episode 2, we continue our deep dive into labels. This time we uncover the dangers of labeling others. Mark and Greg share stories of how they've labeled others in their own lives and consequences they've had to deal with as a result. We explore labeling others limits us to seeing just one aspect of the individual, and prevents us from seeing the entire person. We also discover how labels can change others perceptions of themselves with often disastrous consequences.  Mark and Greg wrap up by providing some tips on how to avoid using negative labels on people. So, join us as we wrap up this series on labels, and reveal the negative side of labeling behavior. Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Streamside coachingThe Agile Within listeners receive 20% off with the promo code THEAGILEWITHIN20."Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

With American football mini-camp just around the corner, Mark and Greg re-group (huddle) to discuss labels. We start off talking about the history of labels in branding and merchandising and jump off into a discussion of how labels can be used on people too. These labels can have lots of value believe it or not. They make us feel safe and have a sense of control in our world. Think of how often you use labels for people in your daily life - for bad, and for good! So, come along with us as we dive into the behavior of labeling people and the benefits.Don't miss Scrum Day, scheduled for Sep 14, 2023, in Madison, WI, at the Alliant Energy Center. Morning keynote using Liberating Structures by Keith McCandless followed by break-out rooms including speakers from Stanford University and the authors of "Fixing your Scrum".  Afternoon keynote by Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org. Scrum is a team sport, so bring your team and get your tickets at www.ScrumDay.org. Hosted by Rebel Scrum.  Find the training you've been looking for at www.RebelScrum.site.Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

In part 2 of our discussion with Michelle, we learn how to overcome resistance. Now that we understand WHY some people resist change, we will discover HOW to overcome that resistance. Greg steps up to the challenge, and presents Michelle with a real-world scenario that he needs help overcoming. In the process, we learn Michelle's multi-step process that takes us up to and across "The Golden Bridge."Contact Michelle at: https://www.streamsidecoaching.com/Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

In this episode, we welcome Agile Leadership Coach, Michelle Pauk to the mic. Michelle helps us understand why folks are so change resistant by walking us through the SCARF model. This model will help you identify reasons why so many people resist change of any type, not just Agile! By using this model, you can identify the type of resistance you may be dealing with, and hopefully understand why a little better. This is part 1 of a 2-part series with Michelle. Once you understand why the resistance is occurring, you will then learn how to overcome the resistance in part 2. So, come along with us as we chat with Michelle and address the behavior of resistance! You won't regret it!Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within

In this episode of The Huddle, Greg and Mark discuss prioritization and focus. We explore how they go hand-in-hand, and how you can avoid some pitfalls when addressing each. We also share some cautionary tales of what not to do and the consequences involved. Greg and Mark also share a few stories from their personal experience that can serve as a wake up call for those who fail to prioritize properly. They then leave you with some very practical advice on how to overcome the temptation to make everything a top priority. Some come along on this journey as we explore the value of focus, and how it can improve your priorities. Support the showFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-within