Month: May 2018

Capability growth, Observations2 Comments

Extending the coaching agreement – what do agile coaches actually do?

James King

In my last article, I discussed what I think is NOT actually agile coaching.

This time I will tackle the tougher challenge – what does a good agile coach actually do?

A quick word of warning though – this simple question seems to have resulted in a long article. I apologise for not making this as short and to the point as it should be, but at least I have warned you.

Continue reading “Extending the coaching agreement – what do agile coaches actually do?”

Agile development, Arguing, Capability growth, Observations1 Comment

Extending the coaching agreement – when is an agile coach not an agile coach?

James King

I was talking to some experienced agile people and we started to discuss “agile coaching.”

We agreed that it was a great idea and that everyone should have an agile coach. But then we realised that we did not mean the same thing when we said “coach.”

We did agree on some things, like being able to identify an evil agile coach.  But we were a little misaligned on what a good coach is meant to actually do.

So let’s assume you are a good agile coach, or want to hire one.  Do you actually know what you mean by “Agile coach.”

In this article I will go through some of the things that people might see as an “agile coach” that I see as “not actually an agile coach.”

The next article will cover what I think an agile coach actually does and how to ensure that is aligned to the coaching agreement that you would hopefully have in place.

Continue reading “Extending the coaching agreement – when is an agile coach not an agile coach?”

Observations1 Comment

Its a catastrophe – the reality check approach

James King

I have been exploring some ways to help people and teams tackle major challenges, impediments and catastrophes.

But my final approach is one I learned from my parents when I was young.  Its not in any of the agile coaching approaches, but I have found I use it often.

I also find this is the approach that my mentors and family have used to help me when I am worrying about something.

It’s called “a reality check,” or a “kick in the pants.” Continue reading “Its a catastrophe – the reality check approach”

Observations1 Comment

Its a catastrophe – the kindergarten approach

James King

I have been discussing some approaches to help teams deal with both “catastrophes” and “impediments.”

This time I am looking at an approach that really is about catastrophes, by which I mean things that are really overwhelming a person or team.

In this situation people feel out of control and potentially panicked. So we want to find an effective way to deal with overwhelming, major challenges.

You might be surprised though where I found this approach.  It was in kindergarten.

Continue reading “Its a catastrophe – the kindergarten approach”

Observations1 Comment

Its a catastrophe – the doctor’s office

James King

I have been publishing a couple of suggestions for dealing with “catastrophes” and also “minor impediments” with agile teams.  In each case I either shared some questions or put some boxes on a wall.

In the last two articles, I stole someone else’s simple approach and re-framed it as a problem solving or “catastrophe” re-framing approach.  But this time I thought I would share an approach I came up with myself – I call it “The doctor is in.”

Continue reading “Its a catastrophe – the doctor’s office”