We Need Agile Champions, Not Agile Robots.

We Have A Problem

In the world of Agile coaching and Scrum mastery, I've traversed the terrain of countless training sessions and certifications. From the hallowed principles of Scrum Alliance to the gorgeous graphics of SAFe, I've amassed a repertoire of knowledge that has transformed organizations and teams alike. But herein lies a dilemma that gnaws at my very core – the prevalence of dogma in Agile coaching.

Certifications, though a formidable foundation, should never be the be-all and end-all of our Agile journey. Yet, far too often, I've witnessed fellow practitioners recite the doctrines of certification bodies as if they were sacred scriptures. It's time to challenge this conformity and infuse Agile coaching with our own thoughts. Not the “wisdom” of the masses.?

Let's embark on a journey to unravel the complexities of Agile dogma and explore the profound transformation that occurs when we break free from its chains.

Certification Dogma Exist

It's not uncommon to come across articles, videos, podcasts, and presentations that rigidly adhere to the doctrine set forth by certification bodies. While certifications are undoubtedly valuable and provide essential foundational knowledge, they shouldn't be treated as gospel. If I can replicate your Scrum training verbatim, you’re being a robot not an Agile Coach. The magic lies within you, share that.?

Agile Initiatives Fail Too

Agile methodologies inherently encourage adaptability, yet some trainers and coaches fail to adapt their teachings beyond the certification templates. Agile is about embracing change, learning from failure, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. It's ironic that many Agile practitioners seem to forget that Agile projects can still fail. The statistics reveal a 35% failure rate, and this reality is often overlooked in training programs.

We Embrace Failure....Sure....

One of the fundamental assumptions in Agile is the idea of "failing fast." While this concept is theoretically sound, let's be honest: who actually admits failure at work? It's rare to find open discussions about personal mistakes and failures within the workplace and Agile communities. Failure is tough; it can be demoralizing and even terrifying. Human beings want to be accepted by their tribe and failure gets you kicked out of the tribe. 20 years of Agile doesn’t thwart 50,000 years of human evolution. As an Agile Coach I take a code of dealing in truth and the truth is we are light years from psychological safety having mass adoption and execution.?

Transparency and Intrinsic Motivation

Transparency is another vital aspect of Agile, yet it often falls short in practice. How often do we see the entire team members openly acknowledge their feelings on a personal particular topic during retrospectives? The truth is, creating transparency and understanding the underlying intrinsic motivations of an entire team is the work of an Industrial Psychologist not a Scrum Master. While Agile training highlights the importance of these skills, it doesn't always equip us to master them fully. Mastery of skills generally comes in the pursuit of psychoanalysis and clinical psychology.?

A Call for Personalization

In conclusion, I must emphasize that I value my coaches and mentors tremendously. The certifications and training I've undergone have been invaluable in shaping my approach. However, it's crucial to recognize that not everything is captured in these training programs. They come with inherent assumptions that need to be challenged. This is why you'll find countless books and resources that, while aligned with the core principles of Agile, question certain aspects of the literature.

To be a great Agile coach or Scrum Master, one must go beyond being a mere conveyor of blog knowledge. We must infuse our coaching with personal touch, courage, and transparency. We must be willing to challenge our inner dogma and adapt Agile practices to the realities of our circumstances. After all, Agile is not about blindly following a set of rules; it's about being agile in our thinking and approach to the realities in front of us.?

In the end, any Agile coach can read from a powerpoint slide, but it takes a skilled coach to guide a team through the landscape of human behavior, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and helping them navigate the challenges of real-world Agile implementation. It's time for us to be more than just Agile robots guised as coaches; it's time to be Agile champions who embrace human vulnerability.