Personal Thoughts
Robert Galen
We've Moved
We've Moved
Walking Their Talk, Sustainability, Inspiration
Robert Galen
Sustainability

I saw this wonderfully courageous and informative post by Sabine Canditt the other day where she wrote about Sustainable Scrum. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sustainable-scrum-responsible-choice-sabine-canditt-x0gef

After just completing a The Week program facilitated by the amazing Ann-Marie Kong, it touched my heart.

That said, I wanted to highlight one comment reaction/interaction between Sabine and Erich Bühler 

Erich said—

Thank you for bringing this approach into the world! Scrum does provide an iterative approach for teams to create value, but its scope is limited to the product level and struggles with dynamics across the whole organization for several reasons.
Without updating the underlying business and financial model at a strategic level, Scrum alone cannot transform organization-wide sustainability.

Sustainability
Short-takes, Inspiration
Robert Galen
Sandy’s Take
Sandy’s Take
Short-takes, Personal Thoughts
Robert Galen
The Human Aspects of Agile Coaching
The Human Aspects of Agile Coaching
Coaching, ACGW, Personal Thoughts
Robert Galen
Keys to Building your Coaching Relationships

I talk a lot about the first step in coaching any client (individual, system, team, etc.) is to build a relationship, gain empathy and understanding, and then gain an idea of where/how to help initially. So, do NOT start to coach until you’ve done some relationship-building. 

But what does a coaching relationship, or a professional relationship in general, look like? What are aspects of that? Here are a few things that come to my mind—

  • Making + taking the time.

  • Explaining what you do—what is Agile Coaching.

  • Building some empathy; walking in their shoes; understanding where they are coming from.

  • Meeting them where they are.

  • Listening; reflective listening; building metaphors together.

  • Connecting with their language, not yours.

Keys to Building your Coaching Relationships

Personal Thoughts

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Stop Training “Agile”

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Stop Training “Agile”

and by “Agile” I mean (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, etc.)

This post was inspired by another from Al Shalloway that I recently came across. In that article, I read the following—

First, should any certified Scrum trainer train a team in Scrum when they've been told by management to do Scrum? Technically, it's not Scrum since the team is being told what to do - violating Scrum's suggestion that teams should self-manage.

And it struck me how powerful the point was. Particularly since I believe the majority of agile classes, independent of the focus or certification source, are prescribed for the learners. They’re being told to attend, coerced, or forced to attend as part of some overall agile initiative.

This is a tactical focus and a huge mistake. You can’t become agile or get to an agile mindset by sitting through a class…any class! It just doesn’t work that way.

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Stop Reacting

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I find myself and so many others, when confronted with something, we immediately begin reacting. And it’s made me think there is an alternative reaction to immediate action. That we have the option to focus on creativity, thoughtfulness, and the power of slowing down. For example—

  • Stop immediately going into problem-solving or solutioning mode;

  • Stop immediately going into fixing mode; and

  • Stop immediately going into directing mode.

And instead, take more time—

  • For balanced consideration

  • To ideate

  • To noodle

  • For creating and exploring options

  • To consider consequences, pros/cons

  • To view things from a wide variety of perspectives

This connects to Weinberg’s Rule of 3.

Wrapping Up

So, the next time there is an emergency, the shit is hitting the fan, or your boss is asking for immediate action or solution…

Stop, Pause, Breathe, and then Slow Down!

You just might find yourself reacting with better results…

Stay agile my friends,

Bob.

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The Career Goals Curve

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I saw this picture on LinkedIn and it relates to one of the metaphors or thinking models I’ve often shared with folks who I coach around their careers. It’s called Ikigai and I’ll ask you to explore more about it here.

It’s simple really.

Early on

Early in my career (in many careers) I’ve seen the focus lean into—

Ikigai – what you can get paid for and what you become good at. You’re growing your skills, gaining confidence and ability, and broadening your network and experience.

Sometimes folks feel bad about leaning so hard into the money. I actually think it’s a natural leanage, but everyone needs to find their own balance.

Later on

Then, later in my career, now, for instance, I find myself leaning less towards the money and growing or broadening my skills and more so leaning into—

Ikigai – what makes a difference in the world, what gives me joy, and focusing on my central purpose for being.

Another part of this is considering my legacy or what am I leaving behind?  And finally, who am I surrounding myself with?

Wrapping Up

When I saw this curve from Corporate Rebels, I thought I’d share it with you. Of course, there is nothing standard in this change or pivot. Some people make it quicker or earlier in their lives. Others, like me, take more time to do it. And still, others, don’t make it at all. And that’s all fine

Along with the related links in the hope that the curve might inspire you to reflect, consider, and perhaps (re) find your way…

Stay agile my friends,

Bob.

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Change Fatigue

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Change Fatigue

This is an interesting thread on LinkedIn from Chris Murman where he posited how to measure change fatigue?

I think it’s a good baseline for a short post. The essence of his post was how to measure it. I wonder if specifically measuring change fatigue is important or simply fatigue in general.

Here are some ideas to measure plan, old fatigue—

  • Lack of extending patience & grace

  • Not extending API (Assuming Positive Intent)

  • Low overall group energy levels

  • Silence, disengagement, or checking out

  • Persistently off cameras

  • Low curiosity

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Truth or...

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Truth or...

Backstory

Today is May 28, 2022. A few days ago, 19 children and 2 adults were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, TX. As I watch the details unfold on television and social media, I get sadder and sadder. I can’t imagine with the parents and families are going through and I have no words to comfort them.

I’m simply keeping them, their loved ones, and the Uvalde community in my thoughts and prayers.

But watching the politicians and news organizations twisting and turning to either support gun law changes or defend the 2’nd Amendment and NRA is making my head spin.

It also made me consider the notion of truth in today’s social climate. And how we often try to obfuscate things to avoid inconvenient or uncomfortable truths.

Example Truths

For example, here are some recent truths that have struck me as undeniable in today’s American culture—

  • Mass killings with assault weapons

  • Police killing people of color

  • Unfair distribution of wealth

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When to Coach the Problem versus Coaching the Person

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When to Coach the Problem versus Coaching the Person

I received the following question from another agile coach the other day…

I'm wondering if you might have a solution for an issue. Within the Agile Coaching Circles, we see a lot of "coaching the problem, not the person." This is regardless of where the circle is located: Europe, Africa, Australia, or North America. We've done the "temperature" exercise, where the more impactful the question, the higher the temperature. However, I'm on the lookout for other exercises to do with groups to help them understand the difference between problem/person. Might you have any ideas? I've got this question in a few different Slack channels and so on, but so far, nothing is coming up.

And here are two resources that help to illustrate the challenge associated with the question—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYfmo8qvPSA

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57adc4fa46c3c4f7faf7e4c5/t/5e1f83963315a227f1a0483c/1579123617420/Coach+the+Person%2C+Not+the+Problem+edited.pdf

Here's my reply…

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Becoming Less Humble

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Becoming Less Humble

True humility is not thinking less of yourself;

It is thinking of yourself less.

C.S. Lewis

My friend and colleague Joel Bancroft-Connors was the most recent person who gave me feedback that I might be too humble. I know, I know, but keep reading.

Joel was listening to one of my Meta-cast podcasts and he mentioned that I had a tendency to minimize or downplay or undercut my own skills and experience when sharing in a variety of forums. He’s listened to me in webinars, in live sessions, and in podcasts. And he said I often undermine my ideas, stories, and recommendations by being or seeming to be too humble in my interactions.

It’s certainly something I’ve heard before and that I’m aware of. But I have a challenge with my ego and not wanting to be braggadocios or full of myself. I believe the roots of it go back to my childhood and how I was raised. I also don’t like to think of myself as some sort of “agile expert”, even though I am. And I guess I’m not all that comfortable with the spotlight.

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My Public Speaking Pivot…Next up?

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My Public Speaking Pivot…Next up?

I just realized the other day that I’ve made a public speaking pivot without really explaining it clearly nor exploring the why behind it. So, here it is.

Background

I’ve been presenting around software development, quality, agile, and leadership topics for over 20-years. Across a wide variety of formats including panel discussions, talks, workshops, and keynotes.

I’ve had the chance to share in Asia, North America, South America, Europe, and Africa.

In the early days, I submitted to the Call for Papers/Submissions and waited patiently to hear feedback. But over time and with experience, I more often was invited to share.

All of these speaking opportunities were in-person. And then, Covid-19 emerged and things have changed. As have I over time.

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Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching

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It’s finally here. What’s here, you might ask?

My new book.

Cool! What’s the title?

Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching

The Journey from Beginner to Mastery and Beyond

About the Book

The profession of Agile Coaching is, in a word, confusing. That’s because of a number of factors, including:

  • It gets conflated with Professional Coaching and it’s so much more than that;

  • There isn’t a standard or generally accepted model for what it is and isn’t;

  • Clients don’t understand it, so shared accountability is unbalanced with their coaches;

  • There is specialized nuance around the skills of coaching at the Team, Enterprise or Organizational, Technical, and Leadership levels.

This confusion has created a space where nearly anyone can claim to be an Agile Coach with little experience and narrow skills. Resulting largely in mediocrity and negative impacts for our clients, who by the way, are counting on and paying us for help.

Bob Galen has written Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching to help alleviate the confusion. The book centers on the Agile Coaching Growth Wheel as the competency and skill maturity model to baseline your agile coaching skills against. Its core goal is to “raise the bar” as to what true excellence looks like and to help you establish a personal development and growth plan.

Bob intentionally uses the term Badass to create a vision of professionalism, craft, passion, accountability, and expertise that you need to bring to bear in service of your clients if you represent yourself as an “agile coach”.

Being an Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coach isn’t easy, quick, or for the faint of heart. It takes lots of hard work and dedication. It also requires a map to point you in the right direction. Consider this book that maps to coaching badassery, personal growth, and client service.

Sample Chapter

If you’re “on the fence” about whether the book is right for you. I’d recommend reading the Introduction, as it explains the intent, overview, and major themes within the book.

Getting a copy?

If you’re mostly interested in e-copies, I’d recommend purchasing your copies from Leanpub. You get more version flexibility that way AND you’ll be able to receive future updates too.

  • Amazon versions are available here Paperback & Kindle.

  • Leanpub (PDF, EPUB, and MOBI) versions are available here.

Landing Page

Once you get your copy, you’ll want to check out the book’s Support & Repo Page for helpful information and ongoing shares & updates.

2021 Reflection

It struck me that if I had one thing to pick as I leave 2021 the feeling would be grateful. I am incredibly grateful— 

  • That my business did well and is exiting the year with resilience. And for each and every client who puts their trust in me.

  • For the many incredibly diverse learners who attended my virtual workshops over the year. I was blown away by your curiosity, engagement, and growth mindset.

  • For my children, grandchildren, and furry children. They are a great blessing to me and they are a big part of my legacy.

  • That I had the opportunity to record another year of Meta-cast’s with Josh Anderson. Thank you, Josh, for putting up with me.

  • For the opportunity to work with my colleagues and friends at Zenergy Technologies. This is my second time around with Zenergy, and I’m grateful that they “took me back”.

  • To complete my Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching book and to have “stayed with” the title. Jen, Rhiannon, Mark, Stuart, Kim, and DeAnna I couldn’t have done it without you.

  • To everyone who developed the vaccines that continue to save many lives. I’m humbled as I think about the resilience of our human spirit.

  • For those who co-taught workshops with me. I’m not the easiest person to do this with, so thank you for your patience and partnership.

  • To give back and share some of my privileges with my D&I support efforts. I’m grateful for my friendship with Aanu Gopald, who has helped me with my BLM support efforts.

  • To my wife Diane for her daily partnership, love, and support. Honey, I can never thank you enough for being a part of my life’s journey.

  • For everyone in healthcare, public service, and education for their seemingly tireless and selfless support of others. What wonderful role models.

  • That even though I’ve been health-challenged over the past few years, I’m doing fine and taking things one day at a time.

  • For Jorgen Hesselberg allowing Mark Summers and me to develop the Agile Coaching PI for Comparative Agility.

Most of all, I’m grateful for each and every day that I have the opportunity to do something I love deeply, with people who are incredible, and that makes a small difference one person at a time.

Wrapping Up

As we enter a new year, I’d encourage all of you to look back with appreciation and gratitude and capture the “good things”, small and large, you’ve experienced this year. I know it made the way forward so much brighter and hopeful for me and I wish that for you as well. So, long 2021, and good morning 2022!

Stay agile my friends,

Bob.

https://www.agile-moose.com/blog/2021/10/16/practicing-gratitude