Agile Transformation is about the relationship.
Only by creating a relationship based on the trust we Agile Coaches can be effective in aiding organizations/teams with an agile adoption. I know, it can be tempting to jump right in with new implementations and ideas, but remember in agile transformation same as in the new relationship observation - dating is a critical phase.
How do you go about preventing yourself from moving too fast in a new agile transformation engagement? Here are a few ways to slow down the process.
#1 Go on dates. This may sound kind of silly—of course, we’ll engage with a new team(s)! But I mean real dates. Go out to a bar, eat lunch together, go out in public, just do anything but in the office because we know where that leads.
#2 Don’t schedule your training too often. I used to schedule my trainings to see new teams every other day. Anytime I got the chance, I would be running to their door. Trust me, don’t do it. Training your teams too frequently will lead to both of you feeling like you have engaged in things prematurely. There’s nothing that will speed up your team relationship more than too much time spent together on training too soon. Slowly progress into scheduling training with your teams more and more.
#3 Set your boundaries ahead of time. Not only should you make boundaries for yourself as a coach, but you should also make the team aware of them in the best way you can. This will not only stop yourself from pursuing anything more, but it will also help your team not to pressure you into too much.
#4 Be open about your intentions. Far too many times, I have been rushed into an agile coaching engagement purely to see how many teams members like me. I would basically test the limits because I was unsure of whether or not they would go there and whether or not they liked me enough to actually engage with me. The regular retrospective will help you realize that you don’t have to rush into things if both of you are feeling the same way about one another. It will also help you set yourself back a bit if you realize that maybe team members aren't at the same level as you are, so you shouldn’t push anything.
#5 Reflect on how YOU as their agile coach really feel about the engagement. It’s one thing to talk to your team other about how you’re feeling, but it’s another to talk to yourself—and yes, without feeling like a schizophrenic.
Agile transformation is not about teams just learning agile methods and best practices. Agile transformation is about changing the way we think about our relationship with and between the teams in the organization. It's about people working together and their goals. Agile transformation is about the relationship.
Did you enjoy this article? If so, give me some claps — I’d appreciate it! :)
#dontgochasingwaterfall