Embracing Agility: 5 Ways Agile Coaches Can Thrive in the Age of AI

The past few weeks I've had a lot of fun getting familiar with ChatGPT. I've even begun figuring out how it can help me in my job. For example, I created a sprint planning simulation and I used it to give examples of story splitting within some very specific parameters of the "fake" product for my simulation. I always struggle with "how to introduce this topic" and what it provided me with is good ideas which allowed me to spend my brain power on parts of the simulation that really needed the human touch. It was awesome!

At the same time I realize there is a lot of hesitancy about the future of AI on our jobs. Given what we know of human behavior I predict in the next 5 years several companies will begin laying off Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches (and probably Developers, QA, etc.) believing that AI can replace those individuals. After a few short months those organizations will realize they made a mistake, and they'll hire that talent back. At a premium. Why? Because so much of what we do that brings true value is "in the margins" or in the soft skills.

Human psychology and interpersonal dynamics make building high performance teams a moving target. The fundamental misunderstanding of what Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches bring to the table leads many organizations to dismiss the value of a Scrum Master...or relegate them to a "note taking dummy" who calls meetings. This leads to overloading those individuals so that all they are able to do is call meetings and take notes instead of what is really important. Building a high performance team and organization.

So how can you as a Scrum Master or Agile Coach stay relevant to prevent your job from being replaced by AI? Below are 5 ideas.

1. Emphasize Human Interaction and Collaboration: One of the key aspects of Agile coaching is fostering effective communication, collaboration, and team dynamics. Focus on building strong relationships with teams, facilitating workshops, and providing guidance that goes beyond what AI can offer. Highlight the value you bring in terms of understanding human dynamics, empathy, and facilitating change.
2. Develop Soft Skills: While AI can provide data-driven insights and automation, it often lacks the ability to handle complex human interactions, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Invest in developing and enhancing your soft skills, such as communication, facilitation, coaching, and leadership. These skills are critical for Agile coaches to understand and support teams effectively.
3. Continuously Learn and Adapt: Keep up with industry trends, emerging practices, and advancements in technology. Stay updated on Agile methodologies, tools, and frameworks. By being knowledgeable about the latest trends, you can position yourself as a valuable resource who can leverage AI tools appropriately, integrate them into Agile practices, and guide teams effectively.
4. Focus on Contextual Expertise: Agile coaching requires a deep understanding of the organization, its culture, and the specific needs of the teams you work with. Develop a strong contextual expertise that enables you to provide tailored guidance and support. By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in your organization, you can provide insights and solutions that AI may struggle to address.
5. Champion Continuous Improvement: Agile coaching is about driving continuous improvement and learning within teams and organizations. Show your value by promoting a culture of experimentation, learning, and adaptation. Encourage teams to reflect, inspect, and adapt their processes based on feedback and data. Position yourself as a facilitator of this improvement journey, guiding teams through change and helping them grow.

Remember, AI can be a powerful tool to support your work as an Agile coach, but it cannot replace the nuanced understanding, human interaction, and contextual expertise that you bring to the role.

My final piece of advice is this: find ways AI can help you in your job. The other day I read a quote that said "Your job will not be replaced by AI. It will be replaced by another human who understands how to leverage AI for their benefit." It may as well be you.