Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
Mountain Goat Software's Agile Mentors Podcast is for agilists of all levels. Whether you’re new to agile and Scrum or have years of experience, listen in to find answers to your questions and new ways to succeed with agile.
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Episodes
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, join host Brian Milner in a heartfelt Thanksgiving reflection filled with gratitude to listeners of the show and a sneak peek into what's coming up on the podcast.
Overview
With gratitude at the forefront, Agile Mentors Podcast host Brian Milner reflects on the year's journey toward agility by extending heartfelt appreciation for listeners of the show and their contributions and dedication to making workplaces better.
Listen in as Brian shares the power of gratitude and recognizing those who challenge the norms for the sake of improvement and go the extra mile to get the job done.
Tune in for an insightful Thanksgiving message, sprinkled with valuable tips for team appreciation and building a positive culture within the Agile community.
Listen Now to Discover:
[00:45] - Brian welcomes listeners to this special Thanksgiving week show.
[01:22] - Brian shares his thanks for those he and Mike Cohn were able to meet at Agile 2023.
[02:09] - Gratitude for the growing list of ideas for upcoming shows. Brian explains the backlog process of the Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software to ensure a thoughtful and tailored exploration of agile themes.
[02:30] - Praise goes a long way— Brian shares his ideas for finding opportunities to say thank you to your teams.
[03:52] - Advice for a mix of public and private appreciation.
[04:33] - Cultivating a positive organizational culture —it's a complex and time-consuming process. Brian shares his advice for listeners who want to improve the work environment.
[05:52] - Praise for the imperfect solutions.
[06:19] - A Holiday break and then a whole new slate of episodes of the Agile Mentors Podcast for 2024.
If you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email and don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Previous Episodes of the Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of neurohacking with Ted Wallace. Discover how you can unlock your brain's superpower to accelerate your learning and personal development journey!
Overview
Are you ready to revolutionize the way you learn, work, and lead? In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast join Brian and his guest, author Ted Wallace as they delve into the fascinating world of using neurohacking to unleash the potential of your brain.
Whether you want to change your habits, learn a new skill faster, or just increase your personal and professional growth, listen in for valuable insights that can help you harness neuroplasticity to tap into your brain's incredible potential.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:02] - Brian introduces his guest, Ted Wallace, an Enterprise Agile Coach at the Principal Financial Group. Ted has also co-authored a series of books including Total Brain Coaching and Self Empower with his father, Dr. Robert Keith Wallace. Today’s show is a deep dive into the concept of neurohacking and its application in personal and organizational development and learning.
[01:22] - What is Total Brain Coaching?
[04:48] - How understanding the connection between neuroscience and learning can help individuals approach situations and come up with effective strategies.
[06:10] - Ted discusses the research findings from his book 'Neurohacks' which explores ways to help individuals change their habits for faster learning.
[07:32] - The importance of individual growth in driving overall organizational and societal change.
[08:54] - How simple neurohacks such as getting enough sleep, can have a positive impact on mental health and productivity while networking and collaboration help amplify intelligence and foster innovation.
[11:39] - We all have different learning styles. Ted walks listeners through the different learning styles and how applying personalized learning can lead to faster adoption and habit change resulting in improved team performance and adaptability.
[13:15] - This podcast episode is made possible by our sponsor, Mountain Goat Software. The company’s Scrum certification classes were developed with the assistance of an instructional designer for an online learning experience that is both interactive and engaging. For more information visit Certified Scrum Training, Agile Training by Mike Cohn.
[14:23] - The key elements in building effective habits for increased productivity.
[16:35] - Why creating an environment of psychological safety is essential in improving learning outcomes.
[20:51] - How different levels of adoption, from self-coaching to group dynamics, can accelerate value delivery.
[21:53] - Maslow's Hierarchy and for effective meetings.
[22:55] - How the Cynefin framework and Agile practices can help solve hard problems elegantly.
[26:02] - How implementing neurohacks can improve the speed of learning.
[27:36] - Ted walks listeners through some neurohacks that help improve learning.
[28:52] - Neuroplasticity is everyone's superpower but what’s the secret to developing new pathways in the brain?
[33:17] - You can connect with Ted by visiting his website at Total Brain Coaching and for further learning check out his books.
[35:49] - If you want to discuss this topic further join the Agile Mentors Community and jump into the discussion there.
[36:22] - Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email and don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Total Brain Coaching
Total Brain Coaching: A Holistic System of Effective Habit Change For the Individual, Team, and Organization
16 Super Biohacks for Longevity: Shortcuts to a Healthier, Happier, Longer Life
The Coherence Code: How to Maximize Your Performance And Success in Business - For Individuals, Teams, and Organizations
Self Empower: Using Self-Coaching, Neuroadaptability, and Ayurveda
Trouble In Paradise: How To Deal With People Who Push Your Buttons Using Total Brain Coaching
The Backwards Brain Bicycle - Smarter Every Day 133
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Ted Wallace is currently an Agile Coach at Principal Financial Group. He is a certified Scrum Master Professional (CSM, CSPO, CSP, CTC) and a registered corporate coach (RCC) with thousands of hours of coaching sessions. He’s also the author of several books, including Total Brain Coaching and Self Empower.
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Discover the mindset and courage it takes to be truly agile. Listen in as Ryan Gottfredson sits down with Brian to explore the four common fears that hinder agility. In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Ryan Gottfredson, an expert on the psychology of agility and author of the bestselling book "Success Mindsets," sits down with Brian to explore the four common fears that hinder agility.
Listen in as Brian and Ryan walk listeners through examples of how these fears manifest in the workplace, sharing valuable insights on how recognizing and reshaping your mindset can lead to more effective agile, and more personal and professional growth.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:18] - Brian introduces his guest, Ryan Gottfredson, a leadership and management professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton to walk us through his talk from Agile 2023 in Orlando called The Four Fears that Undermine Agility.
[06:07] - Brian reflects on the evolving understanding of agility as one progresses in their Agile journey, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal dynamics and human psychology in Agile work.
[07:47] - The mindset and courage it takes to be truly agile.
[09:23] - Ryan offers up some indicators of agility.
[10:11] - Ryan introduces the four fears that undermine agility.
[12:02] - How fear of failure and reluctance to try new things can lead to resistance to change, ultimately undermining agility.
[12:16] -The importance of leadership in fostering agility with an example of Satya Nadella at Microsoft.
[15:03] - Ryan discusses the first fear inhibiting agility, the fear of failure, and how it can significantly impede agility.
[15:27] - The conversation then delves into the second fear, the fear of being wrong, and how this fear can obstruct agility by hindering the acceptance of diverse perspectives.
[17:03] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Certified Scrum Training Classes. These classes were designed and developed by the Co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, Mike Cohn. Mike taught his first Scrum class in 1997, and since then, more than 24,000 people have chosen to train with Mountain Goat Software. To join them, click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule.
[18:13] - Is your expert mindset holding you back? Brian and Ryan explore the importance of shifting from an expert mindset to a truth-seeking mindset to foster agility by being open to the possibility of being wrong.
[20:04] - Brian shares a personal experience related to the "no estimates" movement.v [21:28] - The value of conversations that focus on embracing the complexities of a topic.
[22:09] - Ryan introduces the third fear inhibiting agility, the fear of having problems. Ryan shares an analogy of reacting to a mouse like it's a bear to illustrate his point.
[24:29] - The "window of tolerance" for handling problems effectively.
[25:43] - Ryan explains the fourth fear that hinders agility, the fear of getting passed up or not being recognized.
[26:22] - The difference between a limited mindset, and a more open mindset that acknowledges the value of giving and sharing.
[27:10] - Ryan shares a real-life example of an executive who initially shut down his employees' ideas to keep from being viewed as dispensable. [28:23] - Ryan reflects on the prevalence of these fears in organizations, and how they can collectively hinder agility.
[30:03] - Ryan shares the four mindsets related to the four fears: fixed vs. growth, closed vs. open, prevention vs. promotion, and inward vs. outward.
[31:33] - Brian thanks Ryan for sharing his insights on the show. You can find Ryan’s mindset assessment on his website, Ryan Gottfredson. You can also find his book, "Success Mindsets," or take his FREE Personal Mindset Assessment on his website or connect with him via LinkedIn.
[36:45] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. And if you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Ryan Gottfredson
Success Mindsets by Ryan Gottfredson
Ryan Gottfredson on LinkedIn
Ryan's talk from Agile 2023
Ryan Gottfredson's FREE Personal Mindset Assessment
#33 Mob Programming with Woody Zuill
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ● Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ● Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., is a renowned mindset expert, author, and consultant. Through his work at California State University-Fullerton, his talk called, The Four Fears that Undermine Agility, and his bestselling book "Success Mindsets," Ryan helps organizations and leaders thrive through mindset improvement.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Today, Brian sits down with Melissa Boggs to explore the parallels between roller skating and workplace challenges as she shares her four-stage framework for personal and professional growth.
Overview
Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Melissa Boggs, host of the Wild Hearts at Work podcast to explore the parallels between roller skating and workplace challenges.
Listen in as Melissa shares her experiences in the rink and in the workplace as she introduces her four-stage framework for personal and professional growth and the essential mental preparation required to embrace audacity and approach challenges with courage and curiosity.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:33] - Brian introduces Melissa Boggs, a keynote speaker, leadership coach, and the host of the Wild Hearts at Work podcast to discuss moving from caution to courage.
[03:57] - Melissa shares where the resistance to Agile concepts comes from and the inspiration for the Wild Hearts at Work podcast.
[05:44] - The parallels between Melissa's roller skating journey and workplace challenges and how the distinct stages of personal and professional growth inspired her talk, "From Cautious to Courageous: A Live Roller-Skating Journey."
[06:47] - Melissa introduces the fourth container, audacious, emphasizing the willingness to make dramatic and transformative moves to make major changes.
[08:05] - The true meaning of audacity.
[09:03] - Melissa walks listeners through the journey from cautious to audacious by fearlessly facing challenges that are bigger than you.
[11:17] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software. If you want to get your Certified Scrum Product Owner Training or another certified training, here is the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule.
[11:45] - How to distinguish between a growth opportunity or genuine danger.
[13:58] - Melissa emphasizes the importance of the "Curious" stage in her framework, to tap into your intuition when transitioning from cautious to courageous.
[14:30] - Melissa shares a specific example from her skating experience, highlighting the role of curiosity in addressing her caution and fear when attempting a challenging move.
[15:06] - Melissa shares the elusive puzzle piece that was the final piece of her framework to show up, shedding newfound clarity on the journey from caution to audacity.
[17:19] - “Danger Will Robinson.” The importance of exploring the reasons behind discomfort and discerning when it's a valid response.
[20:51] - Identifying the true source of a fear to gain control over it—the role of reason in guiding human actions.
[22:02] - The danger of remaining perpetually in the caution container.
[22:51] - Brian shares a pivotal moment in his journey to become a CST (Certified Scrum Trainer) and the importance of acknowledging setbacks and mistakes when they occur in order to move forward.
[25:08] - How jam skating can help you learn to fall gracefully. Melissa underscores the mental preparation involved in facing challenges.
[28:14] - Brian sends a special thanks to Melissa Boggs. To continue the discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community.
[29:07] – We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Wild Hearts at Work podcast
Melissa Boggs
Melissa Boggs on LinkedIn
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Melissa Boggs is an Agile advocate with experience serving on the Boards of Scrum Alliance and Agile Denver and serving as a keynote speaker at several global conferences. As a Certified Enterprise Coach and the host of the Wild Hearts at Work podcast, she specializes in bridging generational, cultural, and societal gaps to enhance workplace engagement.
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
In this episode, Brian dives into the world of DevOps with guest Carlos Nunez. Listen in as they explore the origins, debunk myths, and unlock the potential of DevOps in optimizing software delivery on the Agile Mentors Podcast.
Overview
On this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, join Brian as he welcomes guest Carlos Nunez, to explore the origins, debunk myths, and unlock the potential of DevOps in optimizing software delivery.
Listen in to explore DevOps, its tools, and its profound impact on fostering effective communication and collaboration between development and operations teams.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:18] - Brian welcomes his special guest Carlos Nunez, a DevOps consultant at VMWare, to discuss DevOps and its relationship with Agile.
[02:40] - Carlos introduces the concept of DevOps and the need for collaboration between development and operations and the importance of both sides understanding each other's work to improve communication and efficiency in software delivery.
[03:36] - What DevOps is not. Brian and Carlos discuss the various aspects of development, testing, and deployment in software development.
[04:25] – Carlos shares a common misapplication of DevOps.
[05:35] - Fostering a culture of communication and collaboration rather than using technical knowledge to obstruct progress and create bottlenecks.
[05:48] - Brian shares the core concept of DevOps with the agile mindset.
[06:20] - Brian asks Carlos why DevOps was developed and what can be gained when teams advance their DevOps practices.
[06:30] - Carlos discusses the origin of DevOps, (hint: it started at an Agile conference).
[07:05] - How DevOps can enhance team operations by fostering better communication and collaboration between developers and operators.
[08:35] - The importance of looking at software and operating systems holistically.
[09:54] - Brian expands on the importance of breaking down rigid skill boundaries to work more efficiently to enhance teamwork and results.
[10:40] - Carlos discusses the common issue of Scrum Masters who only focus on facilitating ceremonies without understanding the product aspect.
[11:57] - Are Scrum Masters still effective?
[12:49] - Brian delves into the relationship between DevOps and Agile, addressing occasional pushback from DevOps practitioners who claim that DevOps and Agile don't work well together.
[13:16] - Carlos shares insights from his talk, where he explored criticisms of Agile from DevOps practitioners, where some of the criticism originates from and his thoughts on the negative perception.
[15:15] - Are you thinking about getting certified as a Scrub Master? If so, you will want to check out the resources and training options with our sponsor, Mountain Goat Software. They run certification classes every week. Each course comes with 4 hours of training videos from Mike Cohn and includes twelve months of membership in the Agile Mentors Community. You can find the schedule here.
[16:34] - Brian asks about the categories of software that people use in DevOps.
[16:41] - Carlos discusses DevOps tools and approaches, categorizing them into two ways: traditional Agile tooling and pragmatic programmer-type tools.
[18:19] - Carlos highlights the significance of behavior-driven development (BDD) as the second bridge between DevOps and the broader business while noting that BDD tools are generally user-friendly and can help enhance collaboration between different roles in the software development process.
[19:20] - How test-driven development (TDD) forms a bridge between developers and operators, allowing both to understand how to write tests, get them to pass, and refactor—like the developer's "red, green, refactor" process.
[20:25] - Carlos discusses Jira, a widely recognized (and polarizing) Agile tool, and the two reasons he prefers it.
[22:19] - Carlos discusses how the concept of story points can sometimes turn into person-hours. He emphasizes that the key is to focus on addressing the process to make it more effective and user-friendly.
[23:12] - Why story trackers are crucial for operations teams.
[23:55] - Brian offers his take on Jira.
[24:35] - Carlos highlights the importance of CI/CD build systems and value stream mapping to understand the path from inception to production.
[26:31] - Carlos highlights that having DevOps tools is important but not sufficient.
[27:37] - How people with DevOps skills add value.
[28:12] - You can find Carlos’ teaching on LinkedIn Learning, including DevOps Foundations, Kubernetes fundamentals, his Docker Essential Training Online Class, and more.
[31:07] - Brian offers a big shout-out to Carlos for coming on the show. If you want to connect with Carlos, you can email him here.
[32:33] - If you like this more technical episode, email us and let us know. As always we’d like to invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email.
[33:49] - Brian sends a special thank you to all Agile Mentors Podcast listeners.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Email Carlos Nunez
LinkedIn Learning Courses By Carlos Nunez
Carlos’ DevOps and Agile Slides From the Agile 2023 Conference
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Carlos Nunez is a DevOps consultant at VMWare, who enjoys making engineering and product development in complex environments fun, fast, and profitable through DevOps, everything-as-code, and clean software. You can find his training courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Today, Brian sits down with Mike Cohn, the CEO of Mountain Goat Software to talk about how leaders can use agile concepts in order to keep their team operating at its best.
Overview
Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Mike Cohn, the CEO of Mountain Goat Software to discuss the role of a leader role in Agile.
Listen in as Mike and Brian share their combined years of knowledge to help leaders use agile concepts to avoid the pitfalls of becoming a manager “behaving badly.”
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:08] - Brian introduces the show and his special guest Mike Cohn here to talk about the role of a leader in the Agile space.
[01:53] - "Don't command, create a culture." Mike shares the difference between Agile leaders and traditional leadership.
[02:59] - The concern about a resurgence of ‘old-school’ leadership and the concerns that brings.
[04:48] - Mike shares how leaders can use agile concepts like self-organization, setting goals, choosing team members, and defining constraints in order to keep the team operating at its best. (Resource: Wicked Problems, Righteous Solutions: A Catologue of Modern Engineering Paradigms).
[06:26] - Brian shares options for management to allow teams to figure out how to address problems as a team.
[08:23] - Trust but verify isn't ideal—Mike shares why it’s better to manage by exception, i.e. giving trust upfront and asking questions later.
[11:18] - Did you know the Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software? Whether you're looking to get Certified Scrum Master Training or would like Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® training, Mountain Goat has plenty of options. To see everything Mountain Goat has to offer visit Mountain Goat Software.
[12:01] - Delving into the complexity of the relationship between leadership and employees, especially when it comes to trust, self-organization, and planning.
[12:48] - Mike introduces the “Cone of Uncertainty” concept, sharing that having a plan is not a problem over any horizon, (over three days, three months, or three years) but managers need to accept that the level of precision in the plan should match the timeframe.
[14:23] - Mike refers to an article from Harvard Business Review that highlights the difference in scrutiny between product development deadlines and sales projections, and the need for a more balanced and flexible approach in evaluating both areas.
[16:05] - Language and terminology shape our perception—how the shift from "estimating" to "forecasting" helps facilitate the recognition of uncertainty in future predictions.
[19:12] - Mike shares an anecdote about a client in Kansas City, who wanted him to use the word "forecast" instead of "estimate."
[20:31] - The importance of assessing metric application in a leadership context.
[21:06] - Mike highlights the danger of using "velocity" as a metric for team performance, explaining how subtle pressure on teams can lead to estimate inflation, rendering velocity less reliable for forecasting and more as a tool to pressure (and demotivate) teams.
[24:12] - Brian encourages leaders to reflect on the motivation behind using things like velocity as a metric to measure teams and how this relates to the principles of self-organization in Agile.
[25:22] - How a lack of proper training during role transitions can lead to managers ‘behaving badly,’ despite well-intentioned actions.
[26:45] - A special thank you to Mike Cohn for joining us and sharing his knowledge. If you're interested in further discussions on this topic join us in the Agile Mentors Community where you can access exclusive content, participate in discussions, and attend Q&A calls with Mike and me.
[27:50] - As always we’d like to invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Wicked Problems, Righteous Solutions: A Catologue of Modern Engineering Paradigms
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Mike Cohn, CEO of Mountain Goat Software, is a passionate advocate for agile methodologies. Co-founder of Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance, he thrives on helping companies succeed with Agile and witnessing its transformative impact on individuals' careers. Mike resides in Northern Idaho with his family, two Havanese dogs, and an impressive hot sauce collection.
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Today, Brian sits down with Allison Pollard on the Agile Mentors Podcast to discuss the age-old question: Should Scrum Masters be technical? Tune in for Allison’s insights during this thought-provoking episode. Overview Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Allison Pollard to tackle the age-old question: "Should Scrum Masters be technical?" Allison shares her extensive experience with this topic and the importance of a clear definition of “technical” within the Scrum Master role.
Allison candidly discusses the biases and assumptions associated with the expectation of Scrum Masters being technical and the potential impact in the workplace. Plus, she shares her advice for a more open and inclusive approach to accommodate diversity within the Agile community.
Listen in for a thought-provoking discussion that uncovers new perspectives and insights on Scrum Masters' technical expertise to help you find the right fit for your team.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:22] - Brian welcomes Allison Pollard to the Agile Mentors podcast.
[03:31] - Alison introduces the topic of the show, which is whether Scrum Masters should be technical, her experience with the question of Scrum Masters' technical expertise, and the need for a clear definition of what "technical" means in this context.
[06:12] - What’s more important, technical skills or soft skills?
[07:55] - Alison shares an interview experience where a Scrum Master candidate underestimated the importance of technical debt, highlighting the need for Scrum Masters to be familiar with these concepts.
[11:41] - The importance of a willingness to adapt and grow.
[11:56] - The biases and assumptions associated with the expectation of Scrum Masters being technical and how that can create a division in the workplace.
[13:12] - The importance of acknowledging the limitations of personal experience.
[14:46] - The history of Scrum Masters as servant leaders and the impact this had on the role.
[20:49] - Brian shares the importance of understanding the business value of Agile practices.
[21:50] - Allison shares the importance of asking questions to gauge the comfort level of potential Scrum Masters in discussing various topics to determine how they will work with your team.
[22:32] - How biases and implicit assumptions related to Scrum Masters can affect hiring and promotions.
[22:51] - Today's episode is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's Certified Product Owner course, a two-day training course that teaches you how to use the product backlog as a tool for project success. For more information, check out the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule.
[24:04] - Allison shares the importance of balancing servant leadership and focusing on tasks that help the team achieve results, rather than performing non-value-added tasks that hinder effectiveness.
[26:28] - The value of building personal relationships during off times.
[27:45] - They discuss biases and the importance of recognizing implicit biases when evaluating Scrum Masters' performance and effectiveness.
[29:39] - Helping diverse individuals succeed in Agile roles. The challenges people face due to biases and the need for systemic changes to better accommodate diversity in the Agile community.
[30:58] - Did you know recognizing impostor syndrome may be a sign that you are not an impostor? Plus, advice for overcoming imposter syndrome.
[32:37] - You can connect with Allison on LinkedIn or at Helping Improve LLC to find out more about the training and coaching she offers.
[33:05] - A huge thank you to Allison for being on the show. Did you know you can find all of the show notes and resources for all of the Agile Mentor Podcast on the Mountain Goat Software website? We had a question about the information shared on the recent show with Lance Dacy, you can find the show notes and resources from that show here.
[34:29] - If you enjoyed this episode share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Did you know we discuss every episode of the podcast in the Agile Mentors Community? Join us (a 12-month membership is included with any training class from Mountain Goat Software) and post your questions there. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for the show, just send us an email.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Allison Pollard on LinkedIn
Helping Improve LLC
Helping Improve on LinkedIn
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
“#54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy”
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Allison Pollard, the co-owner of Helping Improve LLC, is a coach, consultant, and trainer who brings the power of relationship systems intelligence to go beyond tasks, roles, and frameworks to create energy for change. As Program Director for Women in Agile's mentorship program, she champions diversity and amplifies women's voices, contributing to the agile community's growth. Allison is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a seasoned speaker at global conferences, including Scrum Gatherings and the Agile Alliance Agile20xx conferences.
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Join Brian on the Agile Mentors Podcast as he sits down with Mike Hall for a refreshing perspective on SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), its real-world applications, and the hidden costs of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Overview
Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian delves into the intricacies of SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) with guest Mike Hall of Agile Authority.
Listen in as Mike shares the four essential steps for effective SAFe implementation, the hidden costs of a one-size-fits-all method, and why it's crucial to listen, understand, and honor the dynamics within your unique organization.
Tune in to gain a profound understanding of SAFe and how to make it work for your team.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:21]- Brian Milner introduces his guest, Mike Hall, Founder and chief evangelist of Agile Authority to discuss the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
[02:41] - Mike shares his background and perspective on SAFe and clarifies this is not a SAFe bashing session.
[05:07] - The importance of lean thinking and continuous improvement.
[06:13] - Mike shares the definition of SAFe and its core components, and popularity in Agile transformations.
[09:08] - The pros and cons of SAFe: Mike explains why SAFe appeals to executives and its popularity in addressing agile scaling needs.
[13:06] - Brian and Mike acknowledge the criticism of SAFe but discuss the appeal of its "connective tissue" concept.
[14:04] - Mike highlights some of the pros of SAFe, including the accessible resources and low risk. But also shares some potential issues like the importance of value alignment and the comprehensive yet generic nature of SAFe.
[16:53] - Improving SAFe: Brian asks Mike which aspects of SAFe he believes could be enhanced.
[17:19] - Mike discusses the issue of considerable overhead and complexity, especially in the full configuration mode. [18:35] - In SAFe there are six new team roles that require training investments along with the addition of 17 new recurring meetings (events) in SAFe and 31 new artifacts.
[20:51] - Mike discusses the extensive elements of SAFe, underlining new roles, meetings, and artifacts while emphasizing the need to evaluate their relevance for specific organizations.
[23:51] - Customizing SAFe to reduce waste and overhead, Mike raises the question of a more efficient way to leverage lean and agile concepts in a fit-for-purpose approach.
[28:45] - A word from our sponsor: Mountain Goat Software's Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® class teaches you the skills you need to increase your confidence, credibility, and value as a product owner with interactive software that makes the breakout exercises both valuable and fun. You’ll also receive 12 months of membership in the Agile Mentors Community.
[29:31] - Mike introduces the concept of simple scaling, and its focus on four common-sense steps to consider—with the flexibility to discard steps that don't apply.
[30:53] - Brian mentions #17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks.
[31:10] - Step 1: Start with a Clear Business Objective: Mike shares the importance of beginning with a well-defined objective.
[32:19] - Step 2: Observe, Understand, and Honor the Past: The most overlooked step, Mike shares why skipping it can be counterproductive.
[33:28] - Step 3: Align to the Flow of Value.
[34:28] - Step 4: Apply Targeted Agile Principles and Practices: Mike shares how specific Agile practices can be chosen to align with the business objective, like improving product quality.
[34:38] - Mike highlights Agile practices that enhance product quality, (such as working at a sustainable pace, shift-left testing, test-driven development, code reviews, and sprint reviews) and help reduce errors.
[35:09] - Mike discusses the concepts that can be used to align with the business objective of faster time-to-market.
[36:41] - Brian and Mike discuss the debate on targeted vs. mass deployment, the key factors driving this debate, and how Agile principles and practices can help.
[38:07] - Brian shares the significance of choosing the right guide for Agile transformations, emphasizing the importance of philosophy alignment.
[39:00] - Why every framework should come with a big red asterisk in the fine print.
[40:36] - Brian shares an analogy related to taking medicine, highlighting the importance of a targeted approach for organizations.
[43:01] - You can connect with Mike Hall, on the Agile Authority website.
[43:59] - Did you know we discuss every episode of the podcast in the Agile Mentors Community? Join us (a 12-month membership is included with any training class from Mountain Goat Software) and post your questions there. Additionally, if you enjoyed this episode share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Agile Authority
#17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner
Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Mike Hall, of Agile Authority is a seasoned Agile Coach/Trainer, who brings 20+ years of Agile experience, specializing in software development and technology leadership. With a rich repertoire of Agile and Scaled Agile certifications, including CSP, CSM, CSPO, and SPC6, he's a key player in Agile transformations.
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Join Brian on the Agile Mentors Podcast as he sits down with Dr. Ryne Sherman from Hogan Assessments to delve into the world of personality assessments. Tune in to discover how understanding individual strengths and motivations can help organizations make better hiring and team-building decisions.
Overview
What role does personality play in creating successful team dynamics?
Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Dr. Ryne Sherman, of Hogan Assessments, and the co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast for an in-depth discussion on how personality assessments can be used to revolutionize the way organizations make informed choices in hiring and assembling teams.
Dr. Sherman walks us through the diverse landscape of personality assessments, shedding light on their strengths and limitations. Then, he shares the unique approach embraced by Hogan Assessments to unveil profound insights into the members of your team and how they will work together.
Listen in to discover how gaining insight into the unique strengths and motivations of individuals within a team can cultivate greater unity, boost productivity, and create a more positive work environment.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:15] - Brian introduces his guest, Dr. Ryne Sherman, Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments, and co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast to discuss the role of personality in team dynamics.
[03:19] - How Hogan Assessments helps organizations make better hiring and team-building decisions
[06:00] - The risk of hiring based on “likeability.”
[08:28] - How scientific assessments help ensure fair and objective hiring.
[10:03] - The historical evolution of personality assessments.
[14:31] - Dr. Sherman shares how the personality assessment process works.
[15:38] - There are many different types of personality assessments, and each serves a specific purpose. Dr. Sherman shares how those provided by Hogan Assessments are designed to offer more nuanced insights.
[19:27] - A word from our sponsor: Mountain Goat Software has designed our Certified Scrum Master Class as a two-day class that covers the fundamental principles of Scrum and more. Visit the Mountain Goat Software training schedule to learn more and schedule your training.
[20:08] - What personality tests actually measure.
[23:05] - Are you faking it? The biggest concern with most personality tests is they focus on the impressions individuals aim to make rather than the actual behavior. Dr. Sherman explains.
[26:37] - How assessments provide valuable insights into behavior, possible triggers, and suitability for specific roles.
[27:45] - How assessments aim to accommodate neurodiversity and cultural differences.
[32:34] - Why understanding individual strengths and motivations is essential for team cohesion and productivity.
[34:05] - Dr. Sherman shares the importance of transparency, and why you shouldn’t shy away from both positive and negative feedback to drive personal and team development.
[38:47] - You can connect with Dr. Ryne Sherman at Hogan Assessments, or tune into their podcast, The Science of Personality Podcast
[40:00] - If you enjoyed this fascinating episode share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. For further discussion on personality assessments join the Agile Mentors Community and post your questions there. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Hogan Assessments
The Science of Personality Podcast
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Ryne Sherman is a Doctor of Psychology and the Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments and also the co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast. Dr. Sherman has devoted his career to researching the interplay between situational factors and personality traits. His work at Hogan Assessments aims to assist organizations in comprehending the role of personality in the workplace.
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Join us on the Agile Mentors Podcast as Brian unveils the secrets to resolving conflicts to achieve win-win outcomes in your Agile teams.
Overview
Whether you're a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or an Agile coach, conflicts are inevitable and can become messy if not navigated successfully.
Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian guides us through various conflict types and shares techniques for effectively managing and resolving team conflicts. These methods encompass the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) framework, facilitative listening, and the use of team agreements to validate differences, ensuring that everyone feels safe and acknowledged, creating win-win solutions for all involved.
Listen Now to Discover:
[02:29] - How we handle conflict on our teams.
[02:55] - Conflict is necessary for teams to challenge each other and make better decisions (Chernobyl disaster example).
[04:38] - Conflict is inevitable and can take various forms, including messy and sticky situations that are not always desirable.
[04:56] - Brian shares a past conflict management failure when as a Scrum Master, he inadequately handled a conflict between two team members, leading to a breakdown in communication and a loss of mutual respect.
[09:15] - The need for Scrum Masters to develop corporate counselor skills, such as emotional intelligence and empathy, to effectively counsel and navigate conflicts within teams.
[10:44] - Rational vs. Emotional conflict and the importance of shifting the focus back to the rational side for productive conflict resolution.
[12:15] - Brian shares the difference between constructive and destructive conflict and the signs of each.
[13:34] - The three types of conflicts in a team: task, relationship, and process conflicts and why it’s vital to understand the differences between these types of conflicts in order to navigate them effectively.
[16:20] - Mountain Goat Software has designed our Scrum Certification classes to combine the best learning with the best engagement. If you want to see it in action, check out our training pages at Mountain Goat Software today.
[17:22] - Each person has a default way of responding to conflict. You can identify your own response style using the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) framework which divides responses into five categories: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating.
[18:32] - Competing involves prioritizing one's own position but it can be justifiable in certain situations.
[19:55] - Collaborating aims for win-win solutions through creative problem-solving, especially in scenarios with conflicting preferences.
[21:01] - The third C offers an acceptable solution that satisfies both individual's concerns.
[21:34] - Avoiding, marked by its unassertive and uncooperative nature, ultimately striving to sweep the conflict under the rug.
[22;42] - Accommodating prioritizes the relationship above all else, willingly setting aside one's own stance to adopt the opposing point of view.
[23:40] - Your default conflict resolution approach isn't necessarily bad; it can be effective in certain situations. Brian offers tips for recognizing and responding to these approaches in conflict situations.
[25:08] - Psychological safety in a team is vital for healthy conflict resolution. Brian explains what that means and how to build it within your team.
[28:10] - How team agreements can help prevent conflicts from turning destructive.
[28:40] - Putting ground rules in place on your team so that when conflict occurs, you can navigate it successfully.
[30:42] - Facilitative listening helps address problems without attacking personalities. Brian shares his techniques to assist others in hearing. Legitimizing differences by acknowledging and validating opposing viewpoints can help resolve conflicts within a team.
[32:29] - Overlooking human dynamics can lead to team failure but legitimizing differences helps everyone feel safe and heard.
[35:11] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. For further discussion join the Agile Mentors Community where we discuss each podcast episode.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI)
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenter is:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.