Troubleshooting Agile

Squirrel and Jeffrey trade stories about tech organisations who are effectively improving incrementally -- and examples of those who are just doing and not learning. Rother's Coaching Kata and Torres's Opportunity Solution Tree prove helpful in illustrating how to shift to this mindset. SHOW LINKS: - What is kaizen? : https://www.kaizen.com/what-is-kaizen - Plan-Do-Check-Act: https://deming.org/explore/pdsa/ - Opportunity Solution Tree: https://www.productplan.com/glossary/opportunity-solution-tree/ - The Toyota Kata: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mrother/Homepage.html - Coaching Kata: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mrother/The_Coaching_Kata.html --- Our book, Agile Conversations, is out now! See https://agileconversations.com where you can order your copy and get a free video when you join our mailing list! We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show. Email us at info@agileconversations.com

“We may disagree but that doesn’t mean we’re going to have another meeting”. Jeffrey and Squirrel discuss what happens when you run out of difficult conversations and consensus isn't going to happen--and what to do next. SHOW LINKS: - Advice process: https://reinventingorganizationswiki.com/en/theory/decision-making/ --- Our book, Agile Conversations, is out now! See https://agileconversations.com where you can order your copy and get a free video when you join our mailing list! We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show. Email us at info@agileconversations.com

The hosts dive into Ken Kocienda's insights on the design process of the iPhone, emphasizing simplicity and structure's role in innovation. They critique the limitations of traditional teamwork frameworks, urging a more pragmatic approach. The conversation shifts to personal goal-setting, highlighting actionable steps for success. Finally, they stress the importance of honest feedback and clear communication, sharing practical strategies to enhance team dynamics. This blend of tech insight and personal development offers valuable takeaways for listeners.

Coaches seeing faster results by asking clients to go faster with explanations. Discuss Toyota Kata technique and the concept of 'near enemy'. Emphasize the importance of providing context in requests for optimal outcomes and effective communication.

Dive into a fresh perspective on data management, where the obsession with a single source of truth is challenged. Explore the value of multiple data sources and how businesses like Amazon thrive with diverse metrics. Discover how decision-making flourishes even with imperfect data, encouraging flexibility over perfection. Embrace inconsistencies as opportunities for insightful discoveries rather than obstacles. Finally, navigate the balance between collecting valuable data and avoiding metric overload, giving way to actionable insights.

Discover the intriguing concepts of 'red work' and 'blue work'—the art of execution versus strategic thinking. The discussion dives into striking the right balance between these two roles within agile teams for optimal productivity. Learn how using frameworks like Cynefin can help navigate the complexities of task management in fast-paced environments. The importance of flexibility and collaboration emerges as key themes, promoting effective learning and innovation within teams. Uncover how adapting to change can enhance team dynamics and overall success!

Some individuals prefer to work harder rather than confront difficult conversations. The hosts discuss how this avoidance can hinder progress and emphasize the importance of open dialogue. They introduce the four R's framework to improve communication skills. Listeners are encouraged to embrace challenging discussions for personal growth. Practical tools like a conversational dojo are suggested to help refine these skills and enhance self-awareness. Overall, the conversation reveals how tackling tough topics can lead to better teamwork and understanding.

Description: Squirrel and Jeffrey ponder the seemingly forgot lore of their younger days and ask how those lessons will make it to the next generation. Or does such a fast moving industry have no time to learn from the past? SHOW LINKS: - Livestream: https://squirrelsquadron.com/events/2022/04-21-continuous-integration.html - Doing the impossible 50 times a day: http://timothyfitz.com/2009/02/10/continuous-deployment-at-imvu-doing-the-impossible-fifty-times-a-day/ - Refactoring Databases book: https://www.databaserefactoring.com - Working Effectively with Legacy Code: https://www.amazon.com/Working-Effectively-Legacy-Michael-Feathers/dp/0131177052 - Mythical Man-Month: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mythical_Man-Month - Peopleware: https://bookshop.org/books/peopleware-productive-projects-and-teams-revised/9780321934116 - Code complete: https://bookshop.org/books/code-complete/9780735619678 - Pragmatic programmer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pragmatic_Programmer - Agile Conversations Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/agile-conversations/shared_invite/zt-17ut4px4y-gvPXpbYhf2tf0nvzZN1u5A --- Our book, Agile Conversations, is out now! See https://agileconversations.com where you can order your copy and get a free video when you join our mailing list! We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show. 
 Email us at info@agileconversations.com

A fascinating metaphor likens effective product alignment to cooking and nutrition, highlighting strategic planning versus reactive project management. The podcast contrasts product-mindedness with project-mindedness, underscoring the need for genuine user understanding. It dives into the distinct roles of UX and UI designers, emphasizing aesthetics versus usability. Collaborative dynamics among engineers, product managers, and clients are explored, showcasing the importance of empathy and communication. The difference between a cook and a nutritionist reflects the necessity of emotional intelligence in professional interactions.

In this engaging discussion, Jeffrey, an expert on product-led organizations, and Squirrel, a champion for a product-minded culture, dive into the nuances of organizational strategies. They explore the stark differences between product-led and commercially-led models. Squirrel questions the term 'led', suggesting 'product-aligned' might better capture inclusivity. The pair tackles challenges in fostering innovation within rigid hierarchies and highlights the vital role of team collaboration in achieving a unified product vision.