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 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.
9 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 7min
ScrumMasters and Office Politics
Explore the dynamic world of Scrum Masters navigating office politics. Learn how to lead without authority by using informal networks, like coffee chats, to boost influence. Discover the importance of diplomacy in managing challenging personalities during daily stand-ups. Celebrate small wins to foster respect and keep retrospectives focused on improvement rather than blame. The overarching theme? Mastering the art of influence over control is key to success in the Agile environment.
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.
8 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 9min
Scrum Has Become a Nice Term to Hide Bad Management
The discussion kicks off with a bold assertion that firing Scrum Masters could boost productivity. It dives into how traditional management stifles innovation, contrasting Scrum with the Agile Manifesto. Listeners learn about the pitfalls of using Scrum as a mask for outdated practices, and the dangers of micromanagement through meetings and metrics. The conversation emphasizes the importance of focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than sheer output, while urging for empowerment over control within teams. Engaging insights on Agile practices keep the dialogue thought-provoking!
5 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 5min
One Last Lap - How a Coach Changed Lives
A coach's simple act of running one last lap becomes a powerful symbol of leadership and empathy. Stories of support emerge, including how one grieving athlete found healing through this quiet gesture. The discussion reflects on the ripple effects of small acts of kindness that can transform lives. It emphasizes the importance of being present rather than just solving problems. Listeners are encouraged to embrace empathy in their own lives, with a challenge to run a silent lap for someone in need.
