Title: Tech Savvy or Team Coach: The Agile Paradox

Thriving in tech often means flaunting your skill set – the more, the merrier, right? But as an Agile Coach, I've seen too many instances where an obsession with technical prowess eclipses the true heart of success – our people.

I started my agile career less as a technocrat and more as a genuine team coach, feeling lucky that I could nurture this side of the role. The Agile Manifesto preaches individuals and interactions over processes and tools, yet how often do we truly prioritize this in practice?

Having been on the frontline, advocating for empathy, psychological safety, and servant leadership, the resistance can be palpable. At times, it'd feel like I was battling a storm with nothing but perseverance as my shield, especially in the face of skeptical executives convinced that tech skills alone would steer the ship.

Yet, through consistent dialogue – not generalized speeches but deep, empathetic conversations with over a hundred fellow Agile coaches – I've gathered that we sometimes lose our way. Especially in crises, there's a tendency to revert to technical fixes instead of digging deeper into foundational issues with the right questions. Yep takes time and patience as we don't have enough of both ...

Human-centric Agile practices cultivate happy, transparent teams that aren't just more likely to succeed but are driven to demonstrate that this approach works. Despite this, why do we find ourselves caught in a loop, where interconnected KPIs seem to drive our every move rather than shared human values?

Remember, "individuals and interactions over processes and tools" isn't just a catchy phrase – it's a pillar that upholds the entire Agile ethos. It's time we break the cycle and refocus on what truly matters.

Agile wasn't intended to turn coaches into technocrats but rather to guide them in nurturing collaborative, empowered individuals. After all, technology may change, but the power of well-asked questions and a motivated team remains unbeatable.

And yes it's hard ...it should be.

#AgileCoaching #Leadership #TeamEmpowerment #PeopleBeforeProcess#coachneno#agilecrew