The Agile CEO by Scrum Inc. | Episode 4: "Lead with Conviction"

In this episode:

Host JJ Sutherland sits down with Brad Freitag , CEO of Claris, an Apple company , to explore what it means to lead with conviction in the face of transformational change. As Claris underwent a massive shift from a traditional waterfall organization to an Agile powerhouse, Brad’s leadership played a pivotal role in driving innovation, building transparency, and empowering teams across the organization.

Featured in the 10th anniversary edition of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time , Brad discusses how his focus on creating a "Collective Brain" at Claris led to a more adaptive, developer-focused culture that thrives on rapid feedback and continuous learning. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to turn resistance into momentum and create a culture that embraces Agile at scale.

What you’ll learn:

• From Waterfall to Agile Transformation: Brad shares how Claris moved away from its legacy waterfall processes to embrace Agile and Scrum@Scale, accelerating innovation and delivering value faster than ever before.
• Building a Culture of Transparency: Discover how Brad’s approach to leadership transformed Claris into a more open, transparent organization where every team member has a voice and is empowered to drive change.
• Leading with Conviction: Learn how Brad’s unwavering commitment to Agile principles helped Claris break down silos, align teams, and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
• Agile Strategies for the Real World: Brad and JJ dive into the practical strategies Claris used to scale Agile across the company, ensuring that every department can adapt quickly to market demands and customer needs.
• The Role of a Collective Brain: Explore how Brad’s vision for a "Collective Brain" at Claris allows the organization to harness the power of collective intelligence, fostering continuous improvement and innovation.

Key Moments:

• [00:02:00] – Breaking Down Silos: Brad explains how Agile helped Claris become more transparent and collaborative, empowering teams to work together seamlessly.
• [00:07:00] – From Waterfall to Agile: The journey from traditional methodologies to Agile frameworks that enabled faster delivery cycles and continuous feedback loops.
• [00:15:00] – Leading with Conviction: Brad discusses the importance of conviction in driving transformational change and the role it played in guiding Claris through its Agile evolution.
• [00:23:00] – Creating the Collective Brain: How Brad's concept of a "Collective Brain" transformed Claris into a more adaptive and innovative organization.
• [00:32:00] – Scaling Agile: Practical insights into how Claris scaled Scrum@Scale across its teams to align strategy with execution and drive value at every level.

Final thoughts from JJ:

“Brad Freitag’s story is a powerful example of how leading with conviction can transform an organization from the inside out. By embracing Agile principles and creating a culture of transparency and empowerment, Claris has positioned itself as a leader in innovation. If you’re navigating change in your own company, this episode offers practical insights that can help guide your journey.”

In upcoming episodes, JJ will continue to explore how leaders across industries are driving innovation and resilience with Agile. Inspired by the 10th Anniversary Edition of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time , this podcast goes beyond the book. Hear firsthand from leaders in tech, defense, and healthcare about how Agile has transformed their organizations and driven new levels of success.

About Brad Freitag:

Brad Freitag is the CEO of Claris, an Apple company known for its innovative low-code platform solutions. Under his leadership, Claris has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from traditional waterfall methods to embracing Agile and Scrum@Scale. Brad’s focus on creating a developer-centric culture has empowered teams to rapidly build and deploy custom apps, driving Claris's evolution into a leading force in business innovation and adaptability.

Listen to the full episode here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube