Learning from the Authors

Learning new models, concepts, and frameworks can be challenging. However, one of the patterns that have worked well for me is to learn directly from the experts in the field. While it's not always possible, when it is, it can be a great way to gain deep insights into a topic. Of course, there are pros and cons to this approach, and it may not be suitable for everyone. Here are some of my personal experiences and observations:

Pros:

? Deep insights: Learning from the pioneers of a model or framework can give you a deep understanding of its origins, principles, and nuances. You can gain insights that you may not find in books or articles.

? Personal connection: Attending workshops, conferences, or classes taught by experts can help you build a personal connection with them. You can ask questions, discuss ideas, and network with like-minded people.

? Latest developments: Experts are often at the forefront of new developments and trends in their field. By learning from them, you can stay up-to-date and learn about the latest tools, techniques, and practices.

Cons:

? Limited perspectives: While experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience, they may also have a limited perspective. They may be biased toward their own approach or may not be aware of alternative viewpoints or practices.

? Expensive: Attending workshops or classes taught by experts can be costly. It may not be feasible for everyone to invest in such events.

? Time-consuming: Learning directly from experts may require more time and effort than reading books or articles. It may involve attending multiple sessions or workshops, and it may take longer to digest and apply the learnings.

? Being a pioneer in the field is not equal to being the best instructor. Actually, it is hard to imagine being the best at both. So the author of the topic is not necessarily the best instructor on this topic.

I could recall some of such learnings for me:

? Kanban method from David Anderson and Mike Burrows (who was one of the initial leaders of the Kanban movement)

? Lean Software Development from Mary and Tom Poppendieck

? Agile coaching from Lyssa Adkins and Michael Spayd

? LeSS from Bas Vodde and Craig Larman

? User Story Mapping from Jeff Patton

? Cynefin from Dave Snowden

? Flight Levels from Klaus Leopold?

? SAFe from Dean Leffingwell

Despite the downsides, I've personally found that learning from experts has been a rewarding experience.

Next week, I'll be attending a "Dynamic Reteaming" workshop taught by Heidi Helfand, and I'm excited to learn from her firsthand. If you're interested, I highly recommend reading her book (the second edition is now available!). While registrations for next week's workshop may be closed, there will likely be future opportunities to learn from her and other experts. I'll be sure to share my observations and learnings from the workshop in a separate post.