Agile for Managers — the missing guide for Navigating Agile

As an agile coach with years of experience, I’ve learned that the leader of a team can play a crucial role in navigating the “shadow of agility.” This shadow refers to the unknown and often unpredictable challenges that can arise during an agile transformation. By leader of a team, I also mean manager, team lead, matrix manager, execuitve, and director. These are real roles in business that Agile methods ignore. If you’re one of these folks, then this article is for you. It’s the guide that the scrum guide doesn’t have. As the host of a team, it’s the leader’s job to guide the team through these challenges and help them navigate both the light and dark sides of cultivating connection and engagement. This can be especially important when it comes to building trust and fostering collaboration among team members. But how can leaders effectively serve as hosts in the shadow of agility? Here are a few tips:

1. Embrace the unknown: Agile transformations often involve uncertainty, so leaders must be comfortable with change and able to adapt quickly to new situations.

2. Encourage open communication: Encourage team members to speak up and share their thoughts and ideas. This helps create a culture of transparency and trust.

3. Foster collaboration: Encourage team members to work together and support each other. This can help build a sense of community and encourage cooperation.

4. Empower team members: Give team members the freedom to make their own decisions and take ownership of their work. This can help foster a sense of responsibility and ownership among team members.

5. Lead by example: Show team members what it means to be agile by being flexible and adaptable yourself.

By following these tips, leaders can effectively navigate the shadow of agility and help their teams achieve success. As Yoda once said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” So let’s embrace the unknown, foster collaboration, and lead by example as we navigate the shadow of agility together.