An Hour of Innovation with Vit Lyoshin

Welcome back to the next episode of the Vit Lyoshin Podcast! Please follow, leave a review, and share with people you think will benefit from hearing this information. Your support greatly helps and motivates me to produce more episodes like this. The video version of the Vit Lyoshin Podcast can be found on YouTube. In this episode, Alex Polyakov, founder and CEO of Project Simpl.ai, discusses his career journey and the software his company is building for agile development teams. Alex is a multifaceted professional and has had a diverse career journey. Over the past two decades, he has worn various hats, from Application Developer to Solutions Architect, and Startup Founder. Currently, Alex leads a company called ProjectSimple.ai that aims to revolutionize software development. Their mission is to enhance teamwork and transparency while providing GPS-like guidance for software delivery. Their innovative approach helps address development challenges and mitigate risks, all powered by AI. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Alex hosts a YouTube channel called “Let’s Talk Agile,” where he delves into software development topics. Takeaways * Agile is a discipline, not just a methodology or framework. * The focus should be on solving real problems and driving change, rather than perfecting the process. * Choosing the right methodology, such as ScrumBan, can improve team collaboration and efficiency. * Transparency and visibility are crucial in software development, but the metrics and tools used should be tailored to different stakeholders. * Building discipline is crucial in teams, and it requires encouraging participation from all members. * AI can be used to improve predictability in project delivery by analyzing data and providing alerts. * AI has the potential to enhance development tools and improve processes, but it is important to focus on efficiency factors. * Metrics and analytics play a significant role in project management, and AI can be used to drive predictability measurements. * Technical entrepreneurs should consider the financial aspect, focus on monetization, and develop sales and marketing skills. * Podcasts can provide genuine and insightful information, helping to educate and inspire the next generation of professionals. * While AI has potential, its impact on the industry is still evolving, and it may not bring significant life-changing advancements in the short term. Connect with Alex Website: https://projectsimple.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apolyako/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lets-talk-agile/featured Connect with Vit Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ X: https://twitter.com/vitlyoshin Other: https://linktr.ee/vitlyoshin Timestamps (00:00) Intro: About Alex Polyakov (04:40) ProjectSimple.ai Software (15:04) Choosing the Right Methodology (18:50) Perfecting the Process vs Solving Problems (24:29) Transparency and Visibility (29:38) Encouraging Participation (33:31) Leveraging AI (40:08) Metrics, Analytics, and AI (43:12) Advice for Technical Entrepreneurs (50:02) The Purpose of the Podcast (55:35) The Impact of AI on the Industry

In this episode, Gary Cohen shares insights on coaching leaders in organizations on agile principles and practices. Gary is a software development leader and an agile coach/consultant. His specialties include software development leadership, agile development and product management, agile mentoring/coaching, business process reengineering, consulting, and mentoring. He is a strong advocate for continuous improvement, emphasizes the importance of feedback across all aspects of the organization, and is passionate about empowering people within the organization. Gary holds several agile credentials, including Certified Scrum Master, Certified Product Owner, ICP-Agile Facilitation, ICP-Agile Coaching, and Path to Agility Practitioner. His multifaceted skills contribute to building effective and adaptive software development teams and processes. Takeaways Understand the business outcomes leaders want to achieve and align agile practices with those goals. Cross-functional teams are powerful and important in achieving the benefits of agile. Learning and adapting are key features of agile, but they may contradict fixed schedules and roadmaps. Develop internal champions to sustain agile practices within organizations. Building relationships and trust is crucial in agile coaching. Giving frontline employees a voice helps build trust and credibility. Agile metrics should be used as a guide and guardrails, not the end goal. Measuring value in non-monetary terms can be challenging but essential. Agile coaching is evolving towards more cross-functional teams and a focus on outcomes. Focus on delivering value and being valuable to others, rather than titles or compensation. Develop emotional intelligence and self-mastery as an agile coach. Courage and transparency are important when coaching leaders. Continuous learning and curiosity are key traits for agile coaches. Join agile coaching communities and events for further learning and practice. Connect with Gary Website: ⁠https://www.practical-agility.com/⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyacohen/⁠  Meetup: ⁠https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-area-agile-coaching-dojo/⁠  Connect with Vit Website: ⁠https://vitlyoshin.com/⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/⁠  X: ⁠https://twitter.com/vitlyoshin⁠  Other: ⁠https://linktr.ee/vitlyoshin⁠  Timestamps (⁠00:00⁠) Intro (⁠05:07⁠) The Importance of Coaching Leadership on Agile Principles and Practices (⁠07:56⁠) Essential Agile Practices for Leaders (⁠13:49⁠) Establishing Trust and Credibility with Leaders (⁠15:50⁠) Understanding and Communicating with Leaders (⁠19:50⁠) Sustaining Progress After the Coach Leaves (⁠25:22⁠) Overcoming Resistance from Leaders (⁠33:35⁠) Using Agile Metrics (⁠40:34⁠) Upcoming Trends in Agile (⁠47:57⁠) Advice to Younger Self (⁠50:11⁠) Final Lesson from Coaching Leaders (⁠54:06⁠) How to Contact Gary Cohen Subscribe to the Vit Lyoshin Podcast, write an honest review, and share with people who you think will benefit from hearing this information.

In this conversation, Vit Lyoshin interviews Julie Bright, an Agile coach, facilitator, and trainer. They discuss various Agile methodologies, facilitation techniques, and Agile coaching. Julie shares her journey of becoming an Agile coach and the importance of self-organization and empowerment in Agile teams. They also explore the concept of team self-selection and its benefits in creating cross-functional and highly motivated teams. This conversation covers various topics related to agile work, leadership, and community. The role of leadership in remote work is discussed, highlighting the need for decision-making and support. The benefits of Open Space meetings are explored, emphasizing the value of self-organization and collaboration. The importance of fun and engagement in agile is emphasized, with a focus on using agile games for learning and team building. The value of connection and support in the agile community is highlighted, along with the importance of staying up-to-date with agile innovations. The role of agile coaches and mentors is discussed, emphasizing their role as catalysts for teams. The conversation concludes with advice for agile coaches and peers, emphasizing the importance of sticking together and recognizing their value. Takeaways * Agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, XP, and Lean offer different frameworks and techniques for managing complex projects. * Implementing Agile requires a shift in mindset and a focus on empowering individuals and self-organization. * Team self-selection is a powerful technique that allows individuals to choose the teams they want to work with, leading to higher motivation and better collaboration. * Agile is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and organizations should choose the methodologies and techniques that best suit their specific needs. * Leadership plays a crucial role in remote work, requiring decision-making and support. * Open Space meetings offer self-organization and collaboration opportunities. * Fun and engagement are important in agile work, and agile games can be used for learning and team building. * The agile community provides valuable connections and support for agile practitioners. * Staying up-to-date with agile innovations is essential for agile coaches and peers. * Agile coaches and mentors act as catalysts for teams, providing guidance and support. * Agile coaches and peers should stick together and recognize their value in the agile community. Connect with Julie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-bri... Connect with Vit Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/ X: https://twitter.com/vitlyoshin Other: https://linktr.ee/vitlyoshin Timestamps (00:00) Intro (07:35) Overview of Agile Methodologies (13:27) Implementing Agile in Organizations (22:00) Self-Organization Technique (35:39) Using Open Space as an Inspect and Adapt Framework (39:18) Using Agile Games for Learning and Team Building (51:33) Staying Up-to-Date with Agile Trends and Innovations (01:00:10) Advice for Agile Coaches and Peers Subscribe to the Vit Lyoshin Podcast, write an honest review, and share with people who you think will benefit from hearing this information. You can also find this podcast on YouTube.

In this podcast episode, Vit Lyoshin interviews Anna Zavarzina, an agile coach and trainer, about various topics related to agile coaching and facilitation. They discuss a day in the life of an agile coach, facilitation techniques, team and leadership development, trends in agile, and the future of agile. They also touch on the application of agile in non-technical fields. Anna shares her insights and experiences from working with different organizations and industries. Takeaways: Agile coaching involves helping teams and organizations adopt agile methodologies and frameworks, such as Scrum and Kanban. Facilitation techniques in agile coaching include creating a safe and inclusive environment, promoting active listening, and addressing conflicts early. Team and leadership development in agile focuses on building trust, establishing open and honest communication, and aligning with organizational goals. Agile is applicable beyond the IT industry, with organizations in manufacturing, healthcare, and other fields adopting agile practices. The future of agile may involve adjustments and adaptations to existing frameworks, but the core principles of agility, such as customer centricity and continuous improvement, will remain important. Connect with Anna: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-zavarzina-spc6-icp-acc-safe-agilist-sfc-csm-9a12741a0/  Connect with Vit: Website: ⁠⁠https://vitlyoshin.com/⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/⁠⁠  X: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/vitlyoshin⁠⁠  Other: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/vitlyoshin⁠⁠  Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:36 A Day in the Life of an Agile Coach 13:35 Facilitation Techniques 18:48 Team and Leadership Development 24:08 Trends in Agile and SAFe Framework 34:30 Agile in Non-Technical Fields 40:41 Future of Agility 50:00 How to Connect with Anna Subscribe to the Vit Lyoshin Podcast, write an honest review, and share with people who you think with benefit from hearing this information. You can also find this podcast on YouTube.

In this conversation, Adil Faisal, a product innovation coach and founder of the 8126 Venture Studio, discusses the concept of product innovation and the work he does with his studio. He shares examples of product innovations and highlights the key principles and practices that contribute to successful product innovation. Adil also explains the difference between a venture studio and an incubator, and how they support startups. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the challenges of transitioning from a project to a product mindset. In this conversation, Adil Faisal discusses the challenges and strategies for transitioning from a project to a product mindset. He highlights the resistance that can arise during this transition and emphasizes the importance of addressing it by creating peace of mind and clarifying roles within the new product-focused structure. Adil also emphasizes the need for a clear north star and problem-solving approach in product development. He suggests using OKRs as a lightweight tool to align teams and ensure a clear focus. Additionally, Adil discusses the importance of separating innovation management from the main mission and establishing a crisp, clear innovation management process. Takeaways: Product innovation involves finding new ways of solving problems or improving existing solutions. Successful product innovation requires following principles such as lean startup and design thinking, and practices like iterative development and continuous learning. A venture studio focuses on developing in-house ideas and nurturing them into successful products, while an incubator supports external startup founders. Transitioning from a project to a product mindset involves thinking about the long-term value and continuity of a solution. Challenges in transitioning from project to product include maintaining focus on the problem, avoiding the project mindset, and ensuring continuity of service. Address resistance to the project to product transition by creating peace of mind and clarifying roles within the new product-focused structure. Ensure a clear north star and problem-solving approach in product development to maintain focus and drive innovation. Use OKRs as a lightweight tool to align teams and measure progress towards goals. Separate innovation management from the main mission to enable disruptive innovation and establish a crisp, clear innovation management process. Connect with Adil: Website: https://8126.ventures/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilfaisal/ Caravan Funds: https://caravanfunds.com/ Careerverse: https://careerverse.co/  Connect with Vit: Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/  X: https://twitter.com/vitlyoshin  Other: https://linktr.ee/vitlyoshin  Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (02:32) Adil's Background and Venture Studio (09:28) Product Innovation and its Definition (10:16) Examples of Product Innovations (15:19) Principles and Practices for Successful Product Innovation (19:10) Venture Studio vs Incubator (23:22) How Ideas Get Generated (29:20) Transitioning from Project to Product (35:04) Challenges with the Project to Product Transition (42:42) Separating Innovation Management from the Main Mission (48:43) Connecting with Adil Faisal Subscribe to the Vit Lyoshin Podcast, write an honest review, and share with people who you think with benefit from hearing this information. You can also find this podcast on YouTube.

Kumar Dattatreyan, an executive coach, shares his insights and experiences in coaching leadership and building an agile mindset in organizations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to different leadership styles and the qualities of a good executive coach. Kumar also discusses the challenges faced in coaching and the benefits of hiring external coaches. He highlights the need for clear goals and metrics to ensure sustainable progress and the integration of coaching into the organization's culture. The conversation explores the topic of coaching in organizations and the benefits it brings to employees and leaders. Takeaways: Understanding and adapting to different leadership styles is crucial in executive coaching. A good executive coach possesses qualities such as active listening, curiosity, empathy, and the ability to ask powerful questions. Challenges in coaching include overcoming resistance from coachees and building rapport with the team. External coaches can bring a fresh perspective and expertise to the organization, while internal coaches can provide ongoing support and guidance. Clear goals and metrics are essential for measuring progress and ensuring the sustainability of coaching efforts. Integrating coaching into the organization requires intention, training, and a shift in mindset towards a coaching culture. Coaching can be a viable model for organizations to develop their employees and leaders. Finding the right balance between hierarchy and coaching is crucial for creating a coaching culture in a company. Coaching companies like Better Up can provide a convenient solution for organizations to access coaching services. Coaching helps individuals improve their leadership skills and navigate workplace challenges. Connect with Kumar: Website: https://www.agilemeridian.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkdat/ X: https://twitter.com/KumarDattatreya Connect with Vit: Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/  X: https://twitter.com/vitlyoshin  Other: https://linktr.ee/vitlyoshin  Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (03:08) Experience as an Executive Coach (05:10) Coaching Approach Based on Leadership Style (10:44) Qualities of a Good Executive Coach (15:52) Challenges in Executive Coaching (19:01) Another Coaching Skill (21:52) Delivering Feedback as a Coach (27:10) External vs Internal Coaches (33:52) Metrics (36:28) Sustainable Progress after Coach Leaves (40:52) Integrate Coaches into Continuous Education Program (46:38) How to Connect with Kumar Dattatreyan Subscribe to the Vit Lyoshin Podcast, write an honest review, and share with people who you think with benefit from hearing this information. You can also find this podcast on YouTube.