
Troubleshooting Agile
Troubleshooting Agile is a problem-solving session for agile teams. Jeffrey Fredrick and Douglas Squirrel look at common problems agile teams face and provide practical, immediately useful advice for getting back on track.
Latest episodes

8 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 12min
Guilds and Adverse Possession
The discussion kicks off with a listener's inspiring journey in launching a PySpark guild, emphasizing the challenges and transformative projects that shaped their learning. The hosts draw intriguing parallels between guilds and the concept of adverse possession, illustrating how individual initiative fosters community engagement. Insights reveal the importance of proactively claiming space in collaborative efforts, rather than waiting for permission. Compelling anecdotes encourage listeners to embrace their agency and share experiences, enriching the community spirit.

4 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 17min
Co-Conspirators and CITCON
The hosts dive into the significance of co-conspirators in driving organizational change. They reflect on their personal journeys at the KitCon conference, highlighting its evolution within the Agile community. Topics include the development of continuous integration discussions and the importance of community insights. Listeners are encouraged to seek allies for collaboration and innovation, emphasizing how relationships can accelerate positive change. Get inspired by anecdotes that showcase the transformative power of cooperation in challenging environments.

6 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 21min
Flexible Leadership Part II - Flexors
In this engaging talk, Kevin Eikenberry, an expert in leadership and author of *Flexible Leadership*, discusses how leaders can adapt through 'flexors'—approaches that foster an experimental mindset. He highlights the importance of communication balance, emphasizing empathy and personal connections even in high-pressure scenarios. Eikenberry also explores challenging assumptions and seeking diverse perspectives to improve team dynamics. Prepare to rethink traditional leadership practices and embrace flexibility for better outcomes!

19 snips
Feb 21, 2025 • 21min
Flexible Leadership Part I - Clear vs Complex
Kevin Eikenberry, an expert in leadership development and author of Flexible Leadership, shares insights from over three decades of experience. He discusses the vital differences between clear and complex situations in leadership, emphasizing the need for adaptability. Kevin highlights the perils of naive realism, urging leaders to embrace diverse perspectives. He advocates for experimentation over rigid policies, especially in unpredictable times, reflecting on lessons learned from the pandemic. Prepare to rethink your approach to effective leadership!

6 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 15min
Predictability = Trust
Explore the pivotal role of predictability in building trust, highlighting how reliable actions from individuals and organizations establish stronger connections. Discover the dangers of advocating for change without evidence and the impact of consistent outcomes in agile environments. Learn how social proof can encourage experimentation and adoption of innovative approaches. The discussion emphasizes trust's influence on relationships while inviting listeners to share their own experiences, fostering a community focused on communication and growth.

15 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 21min
Does Toyota Kata Scale?
Discover the challenges of scaling Toyota Kata in diverse teams. Learn how innovative methodologies help integrate new hires across time zones. Dive into the concept of 'kata' from martial arts and its role in building muscle memory through structured practice. Hear about the success of coaching kata in enhancing scientific thinking and accountability. The hosts also highlight the importance of empowerment and collaborative learning in achieving continuous improvement.

12 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 16min
Overcoming Legacy Systems - and Thinking
Discover the quirks of legacy systems, like the DVLA's unavailability at 3 AM. The hosts delve into the complexities of modernizing crucial mainframe systems, advocating for incremental improvements over daunting rewrites. Personal anecdotes and technical insights reveal the challenges of evolving billing systems from COBOL and the legacy mindsets that hinder innovation. Emphasizing the importance of historical context, they argue for navigating these digital dinosaurs with gradual enhancements instead of radical changes.

11 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 16min
Two Ways to Set Off Sparks
Discover the surprising power of asking for the 'dumbest' solutions to spark creativity. Learn how quirky rituals, like wearing funny hats, can enhance team dynamics in meetings. Explore innovative techniques for boosting engagement, such as using emojis and the Nico-Nico chart. Dive into the idea that simpler solutions often lead to greater success, highlighting how diverse perspectives can illuminate the way. Finally, embrace change by drawing parallels between the transition from horses to automobiles and modern agile practices.

21 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 25min
Psychologically Safe AND Smashing It
Dive into the intriguing dynamics of balancing psychological safety with high standards in tech teams. Explore how a supportive environment boosts performance and collaboration, while empowering team members to learn from their mistakes. Discover the fine line between comfort and challenge using rock climbing as a metaphor for optimal team dynamics. Lastly, engage with ambitious leadership lessons through the lens of Elon Musk’s initiatives, encouraging everyone to push their limits and redefine workplace success!

9 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 14min
Accelerating the Crisis
Explore how intentionally accelerating crises can drive change in organizations, inspired by Deming's principles. Discover the power of visualizing progress through burn-up charts, and how they enhance accountability in tech teams. Learn how recognizing potential crises can catalyze transformative changes, highlighted by a success story from a Swedish timber company. Middle management plays a crucial role in fostering awareness, making strategic adjustments essential for efficiency and project success.