As an agile coach, I’ve learned that life is full of lessons, especially when it comes to implementing agile methodologies in the workplace and at home. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the importance of collaboration and trust.
In my experience, one of the biggest challenges with implementing agile is building a culture of trust and collaboration within the organization. This can be especially difficult in traditional, hierarchical organizations where there is a tendency towards top-down decision making.
However, I’ve found that building trust and collaboration is key to the success of any agile implementation. Without trust and collaboration, team members are less likely to share their ideas and concerns, which can lead to problems down the line.
In 2022, I had to learn trust and collaboration with new sets of teams in the space and defense sectors. I had to learn new cultures in Virginia and Alabama and how, even in the US, culture can be diverse. Finally, I had to learn to trust and collaborate with my family more as we evolve. My children are getting older; but they could still rally around us as we raised extensions to our barns and built better shelters for the coming winter.
It’s a good thing I learned to trust and collaborate; because weather in 2022 was predictably unpredictable. Our new barn additions were just in time for the new baby goats … Thanks, Kids for prepping for kidding!
Going forward, I hope to focus on my relationships even more in 2023. I’m sure it will serve us well for things as diverse as barns and satellites.
Another lesson I’ve learned is the importance of continuous improvement. In the agile world, we talk about “inspect and adapt” as a key principle. This means adopting the right processes and practices in order to deliver value more efficiently. In 2022, these continuous improvement lessons were even more personal lesson than normal as I was challenged with new jobs, new roles in new locations and the growth of my children as they grow into adults. I’ve been learning new habits such as daily walk in nature can make a difference. Sometimes, it’s not the big systemic changes; but the little ones that we should focus on. For me, 2022 was learning the little things that matter to both my business life and my personal life. As an agile coach, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of this approach. By continuously looking for ways to improve, organizations can not only increase their efficiency, but also increase the satisfaction of their customers and team members.
Finally, I’ve learned the value of flexibility and adaptability. In the fast-paced world of technology, things can change quickly. As an agile coach, it’s important to be able to adapt to new situations and changes in direction.
Nothing brings 2022 home for me more than being flexible and adaptable. This is the core to business agility; but it’s one of the harder things to focus on. Surprisingly, it’s been shadow work with AI that’s making a difference.
Wait, what’s that? That’ll have to be topics for more blogs. For now, the lesson for 2023, is that we’re all going to need to be more flexible and adaptive than ever. We can anticipate more changes than in anytime in history.
Overall, my experience as an agile coach in 2022 has taught me the importance of collaboration, continuous improvement, and adaptability. These lessons are not only applicable in the world of agile, but in life in general.
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