Reflections of an Agile Coach - The Power of Presence

Breathing in the fresh, chilly air of London at last, I stepped off the plane from a recent trip abroad at Heathrow, happy to know I'd be reunited with my family. As I walked out into the arrivals area, I searched the sea of faces for my wife and kids. After what seemed to be an eternity (maybe 30 seconds in reality), I was thrilled when I spotted my youngest's familiar mop of hair followed by the rest of the clan grinning at me, like the lovable crazies they areThe feeling reminded me of something I had inferred from an excellent book by Chip & Dan Heath, titled The Power of Moments, and another excellent pocket book called One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way.

In these books, the authors mention how, after a trip, there is a deep hope every traveler feels inside that there will be someone waiting for them, even when they know there will be no one to receive them outside the arrivals gates. It is a hidden wish, a strong feeling I've had when traveling, too: the desire to be received.

I tell myself “I wish to see a familiar face from my family or friends, or at least a chauffeur, holding a card with my name on it,” amongst the hundreds of other people waiting for their loved ones.

Similarly, when I conduct my Agile Leadership training, I stress to executives the importance of being the audience: in any organization, others must be there for a team or employee when progress is made (especially small increments). When a project has landed, so to speak, that need to feel appreciated and commended exists for everyone just like it does for those who make it to the arrivals gates.

And in that, I found myself once again deeply appreciative of the true Agile Mindset as a system that promotes the well-being of the employee -- where making money is a result of unlocking a person's true potential and motivation. Agile cultivates a team culture versus one where the project is king, and psychological support for each other is crucial in developing such a conducive, collaboration and caring environment.

As we are only just a few weeks into the start of this year, I felt it important to remind myself and you --

"no matter where you are in your Agile Journey -- be there to receive others, whether you may think it or not - your presence truly matters."

Try this at work: Attend a demo of another team, a team's demo that you have never attended before (especially in another domain).

Try this at home: Go and receive a family member, relative or a friend from the door, a driveway or even from the arrivals lounge as a surprise. Especially the ones you have never received like this before. Create a moment, show your presence and recognise how it feeds your motivation.

Share your stories in the comments or inmail me. I would love to hear your stories of joy.