Cultivating an Agile mindset among remote teams ?????

Agile everywhere? ??

Agile methodologies aren't new, and currently they spread amongst various sectors. Born in the software sector to help companies thrive in a rapidly changing world, these methodologies have proven effective in other fields such as manufacturing, marketing, design, politics, customer care, and, most recently, even human resources!

What's with that? The key to this adaptability is all rooted in the concept of Agile itself: rather than prescribing precise and heavily structured ways of working (to my SAFe friends, I salute you ??), some values and principles should guide individuals and organizations to act in certain ways.

I avoid you countless words on the topic, but if you wish, you can learn more about this on the Blog I'm setting up?HERE???

Let's call this the Agile Mindset, which is an intangible yet invaluable asset for any group.

To keep it simple, let these few key concepts sink in for a moment:

1. ?? Nobody has all the answers, and no one can foresee the future.
2. ??? The fastest way to learn something new is by getting your hands dirty.
3. ?? Change is good, provided you are learning something and improving.

Let's imagine that, rather than giving your team/organization a highly detailed map with endless prescribed routes (the heavily structured way of working), you receive a compass that, if properly tuned, always guides you towards the most beneficial path for your team/organization only!?-how cool is that?!??-

So close, no matter how far - Metallica

Agile everywhere! ?

In the last five years, I have had the pleasure to work as a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, and trainer in several companies and across several sectors, and lately (the last two years), I am deeply involved in supporting a global scale program.

Let's get to the point of this article: "OK, Agile sounds cool, but how can we tune this compass if we are all sitting some thousand kilometers from each other?"

There are a few key takeaways in servant leadership and coaching that I have often reflected upon in the last two years and that I want to share with you

• ?? Communicate often and with a shared "tone of voice".
• As simple as that: define and understand in advance the kind of communication that is most suitable for the team. Frequency, media (call, chat, emails?) care about people's various cultures and traits and be mindful of different time zones and customs.
• The tip: In the end, psychological safety plays a huge part in adopting an Agile Mindset. Everybody should contribute and feel part of the group for the team to succeed! Be there to facilitate discussions and solve conflicts early on, ensure that no one feels left behind.
• So close, no matter how far - Metallica??Strong prioritization and clear goal setting.
• Agile requires us to focus on the essentials, build simple things that work, and collect as much feedback as possible for the people who will use the product/service that we are building. Clearly defining the scope of work, what is most important and what is not will help avoid wasting time and effort, and save from a lot of frustration. Moreover, clear goals (properly crafted) will glue the team together and boost engagement to unprecedented levels.
• The tip: Use a Product Backlog to build transparency in the long run, and use a Kanban board to get everyone on the same page in day-by-day activities.
• ??Highlight individual contributions, be ready to change, and avoid blame.
• Everybody loves appreciation, and no one likes to be finger-pointed and blamed, right? "The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything!" Individual contributions should be encouraged and discussed openly, and changes should be implemented as needed, and treated as experiments. Giving visibility to the impact that anyone can have on the result without fear of failure.
• So close, no matter how far - MetallicaThe tip: Find the time to slow down and reflect upon any possible adjustment that can create an ever-lasting impact, as give evidence that things can change if we let curiosity overcome fear. Remind everyone that stillness is never a good sign in an ever-complex world!

What's your view? ??

"So close, no matter how far" - Metallica

I wanted to share these reflections with you because my goal is to spark thoughts and reflections on your daily work experience. Also, I'm curious to know your points of view! ??

Let me know in the comments what is your experience with Agile, and/or with remote work, your doubts or insights, and let's grow together! ??

Stay safe

/Matt

Cover photo of Chris Barbalis via Unsplash