The Agile Daily Standup - AgileDad
AgileDad ~ V. Lee Henson
Rise and shine, Agile enthusiasts! Kickstart your day with 'The Agile Daily Standup' podcast. In a crisp 15 minutes or less, AgileDad brings you a refreshing burst of Agile insights, blended seamlessly with humor and authenticity. Celebrated around the world for our distinct human-centered and psychology-driven approach, we're on a mission to ignite your path to business agility. Immerse yourself in curated articles, invaluable tips, captivating stories, and conversations with the best in the business. Set your aspirations high and let's redefine agility, one episode at a time with AgileDad!
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 8min
ScrumBan... Is it real? Or just Camouflage?
The discussion begins with skepticism around Scrumban, highlighting its potential as a camouflage for team shortcomings. Lee explores how adopting Scrumban can signal a lack of commitment and how it often leads to chaotic practices. He critiques common pitfalls like erratic sprint lengths and poorly prioritized backlogs that hinder team effectiveness. However, there’s a silver lining as Lee outlines conditions under which Scrumban could thrive, emphasizing the importance of high-trust teams and strong coaching.
6 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 7min
How to Engage Busy Stakeholders - Mike Cohn
Busy stakeholders can halt progress for agile teams, leading to frustration and missed feedback. Common strategies, like rescheduling meetings or clearer agendas, often fail. A productive solution is to schedule direct meetings on stakeholders' calendars before sprint planning, crafting the invite to capture their attention. Engaging in focused sessions can kickstart decision-making. By repeatedly connecting, stakeholders develop better habits around engagement, paving the way for more efficient collaborations and proactive involvement.
7 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 5min
Clarity Is the Secret Weapon of Agile!
Discover the crucial difference between clarity and transparency in Agile practices. Learn how simplicity can unveil understanding, and explore the importance of mental models for deeper connections. Find out why clarity should start with leadership and how meditation can help teams focus. Gain insights on making complex ideas accessible and why disciplined simplicity is essential for effective communication. Embrace these concepts to enhance alignment and implementation in your projects!
10 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 8min
Burnout Is NOT a Agile Problem - It Is A Planning Problem
This discussion dives into the alarming signs of burnout in Agile teams during sprint planning. The host debunks the myth that exhaustion is intrinsic to Agile, emphasizing that poor planning is often to blame. Key factors like overstuffed backlogs and unclear scopes are highlighted as major contributors. The importance of regular backlog refinement is underscored to ensure effective planning. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for tracking team well-being alongside deliverables to foster a more sustainable work environment.
5 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 5min
5 “Healthy” Habits That Are Quietly Aging You
Not all healthy habits are truly beneficial. Swapping breakfast for a smoothie may spike glucose levels unexpectedly. Long cardio without weights can lead to muscle loss due to elevated cortisol. Avoiding fats harms hormones and can cause inflammation, while snacking all day keeps insulin levels high. Lastly, relaxation isn’t enough; engaging in stress-resilient activities like strength training can make a difference. It's time to rethink these common practices for better health!
11 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 14min
Is Scrum Dying? Or Are We Just Doing It Wrong?
The discussion dives into whether Scrum is actually dying or just being misunderstood. It critiques the evolving roles of Product Owners, who have shifted from visionaries to mere order-takers. The podcast highlights misapplications of Scrum and contrasts it with frameworks like SAFe, revealing that cultural resistance often leads to failure. Lee emphasizes that Scrum isn't the problem but is often misused, calling for organizations to empower teams and rethink their approach to truly embrace Agile principles.
Oct 1, 2025 • 5min
Is it ever OK to deviate from the Scrum Guide? - Mike Cohn
Is it time to bend the Scrum rules? The conversation challenges the rigidity of rule-following and promotes a practical approach. Established teams might adapt or break rules, like extending sprints for valid reasons. The ideal of a dedicated Scrum Master is explored, along with the economic realities for smaller organizations. Plus, mature teams can adjust the frequency of retrospectives, focusing on efficiency over strict adherence. New teams, however, are encouraged to stick to the Guide initially before making adaptations.
6 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 6min
The 5 Stages of Leadership
Explore the fascinating journey through the five stages of leadership. From the Doer who gets things done solo to the Fixer who inadvertently creates dependency, each stage reveals key insights on personal and team growth. Discover how Enablers coach others to excel, while Multipliers develop scalable systems that enhance success. Finally, delve into the Shaper stage, where leaders cultivate culture and legacy. It’s a transformative discussion that encourages self-assessment and growth in effective leadership.
6 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 4min
Scrum Masters, You’re Not Just the Meeting Person
Explore the role of Scrum Masters beyond just running meetings. Discover why team rituals often fail to address systemic issues. Learn how to coach stakeholders and leaders for genuine organizational agility. Find out how to translate metrics into meaningful conversations and facilitate collaboration across teams. Lee emphasizes the importance of addressing processes that create friction and suggests using the GROW model for effective leadership coaching. Top Scrum Masters act as advocates for their teams while educating leadership to enhance agility.
8 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 11min
$1 from 130,000 Strangers: Bella’s Viral Mission to Reclaim Her Great-Aunt’s Home
Meet 14-year-old Bella, on a heartfelt mission to reclaim her great-aunt's home. With her idea to raise $1 from 130,000 strangers through TikTok, she’s already gathered $43,000! This grassroots movement is fueled by small donations from a supportive community. Bella promises transparency, pledging to refund donors if her goal isn’t met. Hear uplifting stories of generosity and learn how listeners can help amplify this touching initiative. It's a reminder of how people come together for a cause that truly matters!
