Am I DEAD or ALIVE - Let me decide!!

Thankfully, I am feeling better, though I began penning this article in the hospital, awaiting my doctor's appointment. It's not about literal DEATH, of course.

Rather, it's about the declarations that Agile is dead, Agile coaching is obsolete, and your relevance has waned. Such proclamations affect people, and consequently, they affect me through my mentees. Unfortunately, I had to postpone some sessions, which I plan to reschedule soon...

Here are some succinct thoughts after the buzz...

Nothing is inherently good or bad; it's your thinking that makes it so, and then you influence others with the same mindset. :)

That is what the so called Agile Community Leaders & Trainers are doing. Social Media influencers should be wisely selected. Your feed impacts your day & your daily activities..

Is Agile Coaching Still Relevant?

If your skills and capabilities to Train, Mentor, or Coach an Individual, Team, or Organization are pertinent, then Agile Coaching remains significant. A few years ago, it was all about Scrum and Kanban - now, it's about more than team & technical agility. Enterprise Agility is paramount, and if you've adopted this perspective, You are in the GAME...

How About Scrum Master or Team Coach Role?

Are you a great communicator, know how to tell story, have deep knowledge of practices and techniques to work with tech/tools/people, understand what are Impediments and have courage to help team in delivering incremental business and user value... You are a rockstar. But if you just know Scrum Process - you are fortunate, that you have a job.

Struggling to Find a Job?

This could be a different matter. If employees from Google, Microsoft, Meta, or Facebook can face challenges in 2024, so can you and I. It's a reflection of the current market conditions and we all are in same storm. It does not mean your role is not relevant but it means company has a sustainment budget and not transformation. No hard feelings, when I started working as Coach - First thing my mentor said - " Leaders should not be afraid of loosing positions or Jobs" they should live by values. AND we are Coach of Leaders we should be double ready.

Which Certification is most relevant?

In 2024, if you're uncertain about the right certification or mentor to choose, seek guidance from a Zen G - Guru to help you make an informed decision. The era now calls for specialists—being a jack of many trades and a master of many is the new mantra.

Avoid being swayed by mere certificates or the allure of inexpensive trainers. Instead, opt for the most seasoned mentor with hands-on industry experience. Understanding the 'why' behind your choices is essential. Traditionally, as Indians we may not question or ask 'why,' but in today's complex world, it is necessary to do so.

Key Steps to Unblock me

Meditation, visualization, journaling, creating a vision board, and managing a backlog are key. Clarity about what you want, followed by persistent effort, is essential. It won't be easy, but it is achievable. Discipline and personal agility will guide you. To become a coach, you must first abandon a mindset of mediocrity.

Agile Coaching - What is happening in Industry?

Enterprise Agility - To scale Agile across an enterprise, it's crucial to transition away from a hybrid approach that neither fully adopts the traditional Waterfall method nor Agile practices. Commit to a clear strategy—either Waterfall or Agile—to avoid being caught in an ineffective middle ground. Hard transition to train middle management but its happening on self swing. Either Org is investing in them or they are investing in themselves.

What About Project Managers

Of course this role will be in , As enterprises are following decision tree at strategy level when to do waterfall (fixed budget & scope)- if this case is in Org they will need Project Managers. Most of the Portfolio level activities are still waterfall in some org they do need all such roles

Product Managers are NEW GAME

No they are not, its just earlier business owners did not understand the need and business was outsourcing this role to IT in enterprises, now they want to do it themselves - Post Pandemic the exposure business has got working on Zoom calls has changed the shape of your ways of working. Now in reality in enterprises, business and IT is working together and there are conflicts that traditional roles will be unable to handle. Earlier mostly product companies or Startups have this role. In last 2 quarters I have trained more than 60 PMs alone.

Thank you for reading this far. Please feel free to post your questions or share your thoughts. Indeed, times are challenging, but as a community, we have shown greater resilience.

This period calls for positivity, persistence, and discipline. Remember to enjoy yourself, network with like-minded individuals, and if someone suggests that your role is obsolete, it's up to you to prove that you're not.

OR

Perhaps this role wasn't the right fit for you; now might be the time to explore new opportunities. In my mentorship programs 70% of my mentees decided to let go the role of Agile Coach than moving ahead. Our choices decides who we are..

In essence, discovering oneself is pivotal - it transforms your thoughts and emotions. It's acceptable to not be okay, as your cognitive skills and emotional intelligence guide your decisions.

Understand yourself and learn to navigate a tumultuous world brimming with uncertainties.