• Finding Furry Animals In Unusual Places Like The Home Vacuum

    Posted on by Tim

    During my weekend cleaning routine, I finally solved a problem I had been avoiding for a few years.  I hate to remove waste, especially when it’s not mine.

    I regularly vacuum the common areas of our home while our daughters take care of their rooms respectively.  There’s only one issue that neither of my teenagers sees as something to fix.  It might be considered a humans being thing.

    The photo for this post is one where I removed an impediment to completer and more efficient floor cleaning.  I spent about one-hour removing hair from the rotating brush head and the resulting pile of hair was about the size of a small, furry household pet.

    Remove waste - Hair removed from vacuum
    Removed waste from vacuum. Looks like a furry animal

    Remove waste

    So, I wonder, how much waste (Muda) did I allow by not cleaning the hair off the brush head? What sort of long-term cost had I created for myself over the last three or four years by not keeping the brushes clean? I may never know.

    Learning to see waste is challenging. Toyota works at it daily. We should to.

    When it comes to teams and teamwork, do you think similar situations exist? Just asking for a friend interested in large hairballs.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • The Fear Of Feeling “Less Than” In A New Position Or Role

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Changing roles creates mental conflict. My colleague wrestled with perception versus reality which prompted this post.

    Are you conflicted?

    Professionals can become conflicted for many reasons.  The potential list is nearly endless, because we are humans being.

    I attended a “lean coffee” session at lunchtime with my colleagues at Improving.   I join the Teams meeting when I’m able. Because these calls surface thoughtful discussion around challenges and insights within our Agile coach and Scrum Master community.

    One topic came up that led to this post.  A colleague wanted feedback.

    He is considering a role change from a technologist to an Agile coach at his current client.  Certainly, he was concerned about being perceived as “just a technologist”, not truly an Agile coach.

    Wow!  What a conflict!

    Volcanic eruption Sicily, Italy

    Perception versus reality

    During the 5-minutes timebox, we discussed how there may not be as much of a conflict between the roles of technologist vs. Agile coach.  Importantly, he had valid concerns about how his current role, as a technologist, might diminish his future influence as an Agile coach.

    Do you think his concerns are valid?  How might you coach him past his conflict?

    I can understand his concern. I faced similar feelings when I accepted a management role.

    Would I be accepted? What happens if I make a huge mistake? How will I deal with people problems?

    The waves of conflict can overtake anyone. Find an anchor, phone a friend, there’s plenty of help to around.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Learning Made Easy For Hard Heads Like Mine

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. A Scrum training learning enhancement tool I endorse.

    Actual game results

    Learning is my thing. It just is. I enjoy concept application as much as the experience of expanding the boundaries of my understanding.

    What about you?

    My interest leads me to continually improve my skills as a Scrum Master. As a result, playing games are complimentary to my willingness to learn. 

    I was introduced to a tool that may enable Scrum teams to learn by practice.

    Scrum training – online scrum card game

    Tim, the creator of Scrum Card Game – Scrum Simulation. Simple and realistic. He walked me, James, Sweta, and Valerie through the most recent updates to the simulation. 

    We learned the “why” behind its creation and had Tim as our coach while going through the Sprints.

    I’m not going to spoil the enjoyment you might receive from trying this experience out, so there are no details provided in the remainder of this post!

    I will give you a peak behind the curtain with this video. 

    Tim shared that the online version of the experience came from community feedback. He noted that the online game is based on iterative development of the original, physical product that he used in training classes.

    As the tool evolved, it was met with more positive feedback, going from a PDF file to a physical card deck to the online version of the same, but better!


    📂This entry was posted in Scrum Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Team “Human” And How Co-workers Can Make You Laugh, Smile, And Be Happy

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Team human, we’re all on it.

    How were you this week with your team at #humans_being?

    To follow up on my post on Monday, I wanted to share my experience this week showing up with my colleagues. I didn’t experience tech issues this time around, which was wonderful!

    Our learning session on teamwork was thoughtful and thought-provoking.  We tested a couple of approaches in the process of creating the learning experience.  IMO, I’m happy with the outcome, but I could improve my timing and sharing.

    For me, using electronic tools is easy.  Mural, PowerPoint, and Teams are not overly challenging to get proficient at using.  They are and have been part of my way of working for a while and are an enabling constraint for me to deliver content and information that is intended to enable learning.

    Not everyone is so fortunate.  Not every electronic tool is built for #accessiblity or #ease_of_use.  I am mindful that while I might make training #look_easy, it is not easy to #create and #facilitate engaging training.  The electronic tools might hinder learning and prevent the experience of #humans_being.

    Here in the United States and Canada, we are heading into a holiday weekend.  I want to challenge you, my followers, and my connections to consider how the fall or spring seasons might be for you and your teams.

    Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Team human

    Be mindful that we are still moving through stressful times that serve to create PTS.  Be thoughtful about meeting people where they are at in their career journey, both at work and socially.  Take time to be empathetic and compassionate with yourself and with the people around you.

    Enjoy your weekend and please share your stories.  I have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth, so I should be listening and watching twice as much as talking!

    Huge thanks to Janelle, Lisa, Nicole, and the rest of my Improving colleagues for being a part of the learning journey and showing up!


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork Technology Training 📎and tagged

  • When Technology Fails, Drink Adult Beverage And Have A Few Laughs

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Empathy and humanity are essential to “showing up”.

    “Showing up” can be frustrating and fun.

    On Wednesday evening, I planned on presenting training for my colleagues at work on “teamwork”.  I prepared, sourced the content and slides, set up exercises in Mural, and opened the Teams call 15 minutes before the meeting start.

    Teams would not let me into the meeting that I set up! Strike 1

    My colleague Ali scheduled another Teams meeting and I joined that call.  I was just getting started and after 15 minutes or so of delay when Strike 2 happened.  My computer froze up.  Reboot, nothing, crickets, another 10 or more minutes gone.

    I was finally able to rejoin after the second reboot, but only one screen was working with my WFH setup. I needed two to move between the Teams discussion and Mural to avoid delays.

    St. Mark’s Square, Venice, Italy

    Empathy and humanity

    Here’s where empathy and just “humans_being” kicked in.

    After a short discussion and out of respect for everyone and the remaining time, we agreed to reschedule the session.  To my amazement and delight Ali, Janelle, Lisa, Nicole, and Patrick stayed online to just talk and connect!

    What I thought was a bit of missed opportunity and wasted time turned into a chance to connect more, laugh more, and share more life.

    It was also the first time I talked about how I navigate life, finding my “new normal” daily, with the challenges around PTS.

    Oh, in case you are wondering, there wasn’t a Strike 3!  I plan to be up-to-bat next week swinging for the fences, “showing up”, all with other “humans_being”!


    📂This entry was posted in Technology 📎and tagged

  • Conference Speaking Really Wasn’t Part Of My Professional Plan, But Hey!

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Conference speaking, for me? No, not really.

    What did you do to show up? 

    I showed up this week (8/19/2021), in a personal way and professionally.

    My professional moment was during the 2021 Summer UACon.  I have Derek Lane to thank for that opportunity.

    My neighbor and I met for coffee last week.  It was a deliberate appointment as he and his family were completing the pack-out of their home to move to Arizona.

    We talked about several topics which have been consistent themes in our conversations over the 4+ years we’ve known each other.  We created space and we showed up, for each other.

    It was a simple way to be “#humans_being”.

    Mozart Café, Salzburg, Austria

    Conference speaking

    Admittedly, it’s kind of cool speaking at a conference. There is something special about sharing insights.

    Above all, it’s about inspiring people, being human, and showing up. In addition, each story shared is unique providing insight that might not be known.

    Before speaking, I have to prepare. It takes time to get a session “just right”. In addition, I rehearse before delivering or recording my session. Further, I have to be in the moment for the time in the session.

    In the end, it’s not about me. It’s about the message being delivered and received by someone who can use it.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal Teamwork Technology Training 📎and tagged

  • Death Sucks There Isn’t A Better Way To Say It

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Above all, death sucks. Point blank.

    “Showing up” this past weekend was quite tough for me.  The intersection between the professional portion and private portion of my life got tangled.

    In this case, the intersection was a bit crowded on the “private street”. While the “professional street” was not very active.

    Overlooking Salzburg, Austria from the castle

    My dear friend, Wes, died on 7/20/2021 and his family planned several events for anyone to attend from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

    I’m not good with death, and death, despite my time in uniform.  Maybe that was why the weekend was tough for me.  Maybe it’s more than that. 

    I “showed up” to honor Wes despite my hesitancy.  I showed up to celebrate Wes based on the expressed wishes of his wife and family, to share how he had positively impacted my life, for the better.

    This is not the way I prefer to be reminded of how short life is and how I should make the most of every day. 

    As an Agile coach and scrum master, I was reminded that I should seek to improve the lives of the team member I serve so that they can “show up” and do their best work.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • My Childhood Occasionally Makes Sense As An Adult

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. “Knowing is half the battle.” – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

    Walking in downtown Zagreb, Croatia

    I think “showing” is the other half.

    Showing up, regardless of how I feel on a given day, at a given hour or minute, makes a difference.  Teams do not work without teamwork; members show up.

    Agile teams REALLY do not work unless the team members are showing up.  They might work for a short time due to cross-functional design.  At a certain point, specialized generalists can only accomplish so much with members missing.

    When team members are not doing their work, it might be due to “social loafing” or maybe some other factor. It can be hard to tell what influences are behind the scenes as the “point of cause”.  After my post last week, I watched my willingness to “show up” and it was tough.

    Knowing is half the battle

    Often, we don’t stop to consider the challenges people face. Daily, team members, family, friends, and acquaintances struggle.

    Often people struggle in silence. Look around and learn something about what may be happening to another person.

    Get to know someone. Be empathetic, kind, and lend a listening ear. Show up and be human.

    My challenge to you this week is to “show up” for yourself and someone else.  Give H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday) as it is the right thing to do.  


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • The Powerfully Insightful And Wicked Smart Wife!

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Occasionally, an actual conversation happens for me.

    I reached out to a colleague as I had not heard from him in a while. Consequently, I was concerned about him, I sent him a message in Teams to see how he was doing.

    As well, I took time and had an actual conversation with one of my teenage daughters, as her “best friend forever” has been traveling for the past couple of weeks.

    I had a good, actual conversation with my wife about “showing up.”  She challenged me further with her own experience.

    Undeniably, I was surprised, shocked, and delighted by what she shared. 

    On the train somewhere between Croatia and Austria

    An actual conversation

    My wife was born and raised in Yugoslavia. Today, her country is known as Hrvatska or, in English, Croatia.

    Certainly, there is a cultural difference she shared was how her Mom would visit with the neighbors daily.  Mostly unannounced, for short, long, and in-between visits.  My mother-in-law would show up.

    When people visit Croatia, visitors are pleasantly surprised by how nice most of their encounters with Croatians are in person.  In general, Croatians show up.

    Separately, my wife reminded me of a chapter in Cody McClain Brown’s “Chasing a Croatian Girl.” In chapter 12, Cody describes neighbors and how they show up. Not to spoil the story, it’s worth a read. Try to continue to show up at work AND at home. 

    Consider this as a guide for your teams to higher performance.  Think of it as a way to strengthen the relationships you have with your family, neighbors, and friends.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Oh, The Challenges Of Being Human While Being Human!

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn.

    How do you show up? Being human is tough.

    Generally, I can tell you that I am hit-and-miss, inconsistent about how I show up.  In both my personal and professional life.  There is no distinction between how I live privately or show up at work.

    Could showing up be a part of our problems? Is it one of the “whys” behind our challenges?

    Basically, I do not know, but I am trying to figure out if showing up is a factor in our challenges.  Let me pause here to offer some context as to what I perceive as “showing up.”

    To clarify, for me, showing up is parts authenticity, curiosity, determination, grit, transparency, and probably more nouns than this post allows.  Specifically, I work hard to avoid “cognitive dissonance”; inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, in the personas, roles, and stances I find myself in daily.

    For me, it takes self-discipline to show up daily in life; it is a constant struggle.

    Steps in the Salzburg Castle, Austria

    Being human

    I was encouraged by a conversation I recently had.

    So, I asked one of my mentors, Ravi Verma, this question during an Agile for Patriots coaching call.

    “What made certain graduates successful at finding roles as Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and Product Owners?”

    I was surprised by the insight he shared.

    Ravi stated that in some ways, successful graduates relentlessly pursue improvement. 

    For example, he explained that successful graduates are like a runner who sets a goal to shave a half-second off or her race time. Additionally, The runner then sets another goal for a half-second reduction and repeats the process to achieve the desired results.

    Maybe this might help you in the coming week. Please let me know how it did.


    📂This entry was posted in Agile Personal Scrum 📎and tagged