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
Oct 28, 2025 • 7min
The Phantom Sprint — Invisible Work That Steals Velocity
Invisible work can derail your sprint without anyone noticing! Discover tactics to detect phantom dependencies, including using a visible dependency board to enhance team focus. Learn how to allocate capacity for both planned and unplanned tasks, while preventing recurring interruptions with pre-planning checkpoints. Explore the hidden factory concept and the importance of documenting fixes to avoid repeated issues. Plus, a risk register can help identify potential blockers early. Set realistic, outcome-based expectations to protect team velocity!
7 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 6min
The Haunted Backlog — When Old Stories Won’t Die
Dive into the spooky world of backlogs as old stories refuse to die. Discover how unresolved items sap team productivity and find out what a haunted backlog truly looks like. Learn why vague acceptance criteria can keep projects stuck in limbo, and explore a five-step plan to exorcise these ghostly tasks. Regularly scheduled 'cemetery sweeps' can help keep focus sharp. Plus, actionable takeaways remind you not to let backlog items linger. Embrace the challenge and keep your workflow agile!
Oct 24, 2025 • 5min
A Chad Gymnast Scores Top Marks For Determination
A powerful photograph captures Achta Derib's determination in gymnastics, symbolizing resilience against the odds. The pioneering gymnastics class in Chad broke barriers for girls, introducing them to the sport. Derib's journey took her to Spain for training amidst the pandemic, balancing athletics and education. Her successful performance at the African Championships and efforts to grow gymnastics in Chad inspire a new generation. The discussion also highlights the impact of thoughtful aid and the importance of compassionate support.
7 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 7min
Stop Worshipping Product Roadmaps
A critic of traditional planning sessions reveals how rigid roadmaps mislead teams into believing they have a solid strategy. Instead of focusing on outputs, he emphasizes the importance of solving customer problems. Political battles often overshadow strategic planning, leading to confusion. However, he highlights that roadmaps can still aid alignment and build trust. The discussion encourages adopting outcome-based roadmaps, showcasing the power of storytelling over mere feature lists, and treating roadmaps like flexible travel itineraries for better adaptability.
Oct 22, 2025 • 5min
The Only Three Things You Must Do To Improve Agility - Mike Cohn
Discover the three pivotal steps to enhance agility within teams. Start by aligning practices with agile principles and fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams. Persuade management to value team input on deadlines to promote true agility. Explore impactful changes like shortening sprints and introducing innovative techniques like story mapping. Embrace small improvements that can lead to significant results, transforming the impossible into possible gains. Get ready to unlock the potential of your team!
8 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 8min
Agile Estimation: Relative vs. Absolute
Explore the fascinating world of Agile estimation, where teamwork and understanding take center stage. Learn why true estimation isn't about predicting the future but fostering alignment. Delve into the battle of absolute versus relative approaches: find out when each method shines or falters. Discover the speed and conversation benefits of relative estimates, plus the pitfalls of miscommunication. Lee emphasizes prioritizing accurate understanding while tracking velocity with story points, ensuring everyone is on the same page in their Agile journey.
8 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 7min
Scrum Theatre and the Agile Illusion
Imagine a flawless stand-up with no blockers—sounds great, right? But what if it's just Scrum Theatre, a performance masked as real Agile practice? The discussion tackles the difference between genuine collaboration and superficial updates. Lee emphasizes the importance of raising impediments immediately and focusing on real commitments. He urges teams to assess backlog value and make retrospectives actionable. Ultimately, it’s about moving beyond rituals to embrace authentic Agile practices for real progress.
5 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 5min
The Janitor at NASA
During the space race, a janitor at NASA told JFK he was helping to put a man on the moon, highlighting the importance of purpose in every job. The conversation explores how this perspective embodies servant leadership and aligns with Agile principles. Listeners are encouraged to redefine their roles with a single impactful sentence, aiming for a deeper connection to their work. It's a powerful reminder that every role contributes to a larger mission, making every task significant.
6 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 4min
Team Dynamics - The Soloist - Mike Cohn
High performers can truly elevate a team, but what happens when they prefer to stand out as soloists? These talented individuals sometimes disrupt the group's harmony, seeking the spotlight at the cost of collaboration. The role of the Scrum Master is crucial in recognizing and addressing these misalignments. By fostering private dialogues, they can help realign the team dynamics. A musical analogy highlights the importance of ensemble over individuality, emphasizing that true success comes from uplifting the group.
8 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 7min
When Agile Meets Resistance
This discussion dives into the friction Agile faces within IT environments. It highlights how rigid hierarchies and traditional roles spark resistance. Fear of the unknown hampers acceptance, while leaders worry about losing control with self-managed teams. Lee emphasizes the importance of gradual implementation and building trust through small successes. Celebrating wins and maintaining transparency are crucial for easing fears. Ultimately, blending traditional methods with Agile practices can create a harmonious balance.
