Low Performance Is a Leadership Problem, Not a People Problem
The term “low performer” is not just outdated — it’s destructive. Labeling people this way reveals an antiquated view of human beings that not only demotivates employees but ac...
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Agile Compass
A growing collection of articles on agility, innovation, leadership, and product management. Practical insights to help you navigate change and build high-performing teams.
How Apollo 13 Proved the Power of Distributed Leadership
April 13, 1970Apollo 13 is gliding silently toward the moon when, suddenly, the spacecraft shudders with a deafening bang. In Mission Control in Houston, the room falls silent....
The Story Points Trap: How We Lost Sight of Real Value
“How many story points do you complete per sprint?” “What’s your team’s velocity?” “Why isn’t it improving?” If you’ve heard these questions before, you know they’re usually we...
One Game. One Lesson. A Lifetime of Impact.
Why Games in Coaching Work So Well““Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin” About 15 years ago, I had a learning experienc...
How to Respond When Teams Say Their Work Doesn’t Fit a Fixed Sprint
““Working against hard deadlines—as opposed to continuing until the task feels complete—is the classic engineering approach.” – Mary Poppendieck” Scrum Masters and Agile Coach...
Want High-Performing Teams? Focus on Motivation That Lasts
In our agile profession, where adaptability and speed are often hailed as the keystones of success, lies an often-overlooked element that quietly dict Access this content wi...
Does a 60-Hour Workweek Make You a Productivity Beast—or Just Burnt Out?
Lately, there’s been a surge of voices—especially from billionaire founders—arguing that we all need to buckle down, grind harder, and clock in more hours if we want to be truly...
Why Laughter Is a Better Indicator than Velocity
And Why False Metrics Mislead UsMutt & Jeff by Bud Fisher, June 3, 1942Imagine losing your wallet at night and searching under the streetlight—not because you know it’s there, b...
The Pitfall Of Customer-Driven Decision-Making (And How To Avoid It)
In the world of business and innovation, there’s a common misconception that listening to your customers means asking them what they want or analyzing the data you have on them....
PATI: The Fast-Track to Empowered Teams and Better Decisions
Ever feel stuck in endless approval loops? Like your team’s brilliance is trapped behind layers of outdated command and control? You’re not alone—and it’s not your fault. Agile ...
Better Feedback, Stronger Teams: The Magic of Wise Crowds
Collaboration across departments? Here is a way to do it! Access this content with a premium subscription This post is only available to premium subscribers. Join today to ...
Agile Transformations Fail in Isolation—Here’s How to Make Them Thrive
Have you ever watched a massive organization try to “go Agile” only to see it fizzle out faster than you can say scrum master? Maybe you’ve witnessed leadership sending teams of...
Self-Managing Teams: The Competitive Edge Your Organization Needs
Many organizations are finding that traditional management styles no longer meet the demands of today’s business challenges. Organizations striving for agility are discovering t...
Forget These 5 Dangerous Best Practices in Agile!
Ah, best practices—the golden ticket to success, right? If you’re an Agile Coach, Scrum Master, leader, or anyone on an agile team, you’ve probably encountered this phrase count...
5 things a Scrum Master does NOT do
The role of a Scrum Master is often misunderstood. While they are a crucial part of any Scrum team, there’s a lot of confusion about what they should—and shouldn’t—do. Let’s cle...