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  • Agile Value #1 – People And Tools

    Posted on by Tim

    Part 1 in a 4 part series. This post covers communication and collaboration.

    To start 2022 off right, I’m writing a series on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. Given that the Manifesto is quickly reaching 21-years-old, I wanted to cover my learning and reflection on its impact.

    Two disclosures:

    1. I am not a software developer
    2. When this was published, I thought it was a fad

    The first value;

    Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

    Manifesto for Agile Software Development

    Communication and collaboration. Keys to positive and productive human interaction. For each of us, this takes on different meaning depending on the context of the interaction.

    As I wrote in my first post of the year, tools don’t fix problems. People fix problems. The Manifesto signers understood this in the context of software development.

    And yet, this also applies to other pursuits as well.

    If a team doesn’t know what the problem is, let alone how it might be solved, do processes and tools matter?

    For me, the answer is a simple ‘no.’ No, processes and tools alone will not identify the problem. I am writing from experience.

    If I have a bent nail I need to remove from a wood board, would I use a screw driver to fix the problem? No, I would need to find a claw-head hammer to remove the bent nail.

    Houston, we have a problem (communication and collaboration)

    Stepping back, if the financial health of my company is failing, do I know what the points of cause are for the problem? Maybe, maybe not, it depends. Discovery is required to figure out what may be cause the money loss.

    Can a tool determine the cause, not knowing what the problem is?

    Can a process define the problem?

    Simply answered, no. It takes bright, talented people working together (individuals and interactions) to define the problem. Then those same people set out to solve the problem.

    In life, there is no certainty from one day to the next day. It’s time to embrace the uncertainty and get down to working on today’s problems.

    The key is using communication and collaboration to solve the right problems.

    Value 1, Value 2, Value 3, Value 4


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • Reflections On Agile: Creative Work To Delight People

    Posted on by Tim

    To start 2022, I’m going to write three series of posts with reflections on Agile product and service development.

    The intent is to focus on the people aspects of Manifesto for Agile Software Development. First, the four values will be covered in a set of quarterly posts. Second, the 12 principles will be covered in a set of monthly posts. Finally, the five Scrum values will be covered in a set of quarterly posts.

    Scrum Values (credit Scrum.org)

    This series is the glue between teams, technologies, and training. Foundationally, products and service don’t get created without each area. The goals is to bring all of this together by reflecting on how we can work together today.

    Since this blog covers the creative space around “humans being”, soon it will cover the concepts around how creativity can be enabled. Until now, the posts have covered my experiences around technology and teams.

    The shift toward Agile content is coming!

    I feel good about switching gears. Following the year’s end with a shift feels right. The Reflections on Agile series allows exploration.

    As a result, there will be a mixture of posts throughout the coming months. Sometimes, there will be three posts that are Agile specific. Other times, there will one post. I intend to make content writing sustainable for me in 2022 and this is a way to make cadence happen.

    When I started posting, I did not realize then the need to look at how Agile has influenced my thinking. Now, I understand how important covering Agile is to what I blog about. Subsequently, writing about this topic makes me happy.

    Enjoy the Reflections on Agile series!


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • Coasting Along Or Improving To The Stars?

    Posted on by Tim

    Two moments in November really struck me. They caused me to think, am I improving or coasting?

    For me, working at Improving Enterprises indicates I should be improving at a sustainable pace. Sustainable pace is subjective and relative to the person. It might look like a rocket ship for you and a slight hill for me.

    Firstly, one of our vice presidents, Tim Rayburn ended our monthly Dallas townhall with an exercise. It was designed to help us think differently about recruiting. Near the end, he said something to the effect of,

    “Improvers talk to people who are probably Improvers, they just don’t know it yet.”

    Tim Rayburn

    Bold statement and a solid indicator for company culture.

    Secondly, another executive, Ken Howard facilitated an evening training session on human interaction. He was covering motivation at one point when he mentioned,

    “We discovered that many of our colleagues are geared toward creativity and learning.”

    Ken Howard

    This is a strong indicator for problems getting solved. But not messes getting cleaned up in the breakroom!

    Company culture is impacting business operations. As a result, how culture is built influences how business value is created.

    I write posts using the tag “humans being.” Occasionally, I make a mess of interactions with people.

    How do I fix my mess? I have to work on my “soft skills”. At times, I ask to be forgiven. I stop speaking mid-sentence.

    Stuck waffles
    An improvement opportunity in waffle making

    Stop coasting and start improving

    From start to finish, life is about continuous improvement. Life is painful in that way. But, I would not trade it for the alternative!

    So, this gets back to my starting question. Are you (and me) improving or coasting?

    Trust me, there isn’t anything wrong with coasting. From time to time, coasting is a good thing!

    Consider this question when your goal setting for next year. Improving or coasting, the choice is yours. Finally, I choose improving, you should too.


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork 📎and tagged

  • Oh Look, That Mask Is Off And He’s A Fraud

    Posted on by Tim

    It is hard being a novice in life. There is no easy way to navigate the feelings of imposter syndrome. Especially, when you are changing careers.

    I had a Zoom call with a retiring Master Chief Petty Officer I met during my first Afghanistan deployment. He has been highly success in his Navy career, carving out a place in the leadership triad both on ships and at shore commands.

    For me, this is both insightful and instructive. What if, after 20 or 30 years becoming one thing or charting a single career path you were compelled to walk away and start fresh?

    “I feel like I’m 18 year old again. I need to figure what I want to be when I grow up.” His words, my thoughts. It would be a bit scary. It could lead to imposter syndrome.

    What if they find out?

    Throughout my professional journey, I have struggled with imposter syndrome. It gets worse with age, because of higher expectations. Navigating it, after a successful ‘first career’, is worse than a continuation of a career.

    For retired military members, imposter syndrome holds them back from really going after a new career. They have all the ‘soft skills’ an employer could dream of, experience under pressure, and gut-grinding determination to see teams and the organization win.

    Yet, many military retirees question themselves. They question if they can transfer any of their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) effectively to create value as private sector employees.

    It might be a two-way street from the employer’s side. Fear may be influencing a hiring manager, as well?

    Ancient mask
    A burial mask on display in the Perrot Museum

    What if they want my job?

    A colleague, Mike, told me once that I intimidated and scared people. To look at me, I’m not physically imposing. What he meant was I get intense when I talk on subject where I have expertise.

    Deep expertise express with energy and enthusiasm can create missed opportunity. Some people feel threatened by women and men who built a career as military professionals. It’s not your fault or my fault, and we can do something about minimizing those concerns.

    How is your delivery?

    So, I learned to dial my intensity down. “I have you about an 11 and I need you at a five.” said Mike. Good advice for anyone who want to build rapport. Attitude is everything according to Keith Harrel.

    Keith is right and we can be meek so that people feel safe. Meekness is not weakness. It is strength restrained. Meekness is about creating comfort for others; looking out for their interests. It is about building bridge and revealing that we are all just humans being.

    Consider this point

    If you have all the KSA’s to do the job, should you be worried about being an imposter? I don’t think so, I would be more concerned about keeping a growth mindset.

    Be a life-long-learner, a student of life, and an engaged colleague. Show up like you are 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 years old, ready to learn and grow.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Buying Time To Create And Express Ideas

    Posted on by Tim

    Kent Beck posted on LinkedIn an interesting statement shown below. This is a topic I’ve been considering for a while as finding time to create and express ideas seems to be scarce.

    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kentbeck_25-years-of-trying-to-explain-software-development-activity-6869343385417867264-tvlT

    My response to Kent was basic. It’s short and works for me. But, it may not work for everyone.

    Kent may not have intended for me to respond this way. I don’t really care one way or the other. My point is, I’m not buying time to create and express.

    I respect the work Kent has done in the product creation field. He is an author, speaker, and one of the original co-signers of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. He is an icon in the software development space and he is a creator.

    Thanksgiving And Being Grateful

    This post is being typed on Thanksgiving morning from my home office in the United States. I’m not “buying time” as Kent would suggest to create and express today. I am investing time into this blog specifically and the community generally.

    I don’t know who will read this post today. If you are reading this and you create products and services to delight your customers or clients, I hope this inspires you. I want you to invest in yourself by setting aside time to create and express for you and people you care about.

    I can’t tell you how much better I feel after I write an article or post. It gives me a sense that I accomplished something of substance, something that mattered, for the day.

    I am grateful for the quiet hours I have to type this and many posts. I am grateful for the technology I have to express these views. It is amazing to living in today and I encourage you to make the most of today.


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • Don’t Be So Quick To Kick The Door, Agile Ranger

    Posted on by Tim

    I was talking with my colleague, Lucus, the other day.  I drew a connection between the Ranger units I supported in Afghanistan and the Agile community. There is a connection between Rangers and Agilists and I’ve watched it.

    “What in the Sam’s hill are you writing about?!”

    “You cannot be serious in pulling a thread between the Rangers and Agile product development!”

    I get it, and it’s fair to be skeptical.  Here’s the thing, what do most Agile consultants do that is similar to the Rangers?

    We parachute into a transformation as the experts in Agile framework(s), policy, process, and procedure (3-P’s).  We come in and kick some executive doors open, disrupt some teams, and then go on our merry way after a year or so and call it ‘mission complete’.

    Well, not all of us.  Some of us go beyond the 3-P’s and learn to sense the environment we’ve been asked to assist move toward increased agility. 

    Challenge coin bottle opener
    Command coin received from the 1/75 battalion commander

    About the Rangers

    The Rangers have expertise in understanding tactical context and they adjust their approach to mission as more information becomes available.  They “shoot, move, and communicate” and deviate from the plan as it is needed to achieve the objective.

    Rangers have a master’s understanding of the 3-P’s or “the box” and extend their awareness beyond “the box”.  They adapt and adjust on the fly because the enemy will adapt and adjust to their operations once under threat.

    Back to Agilists with expertise  

    Finally, here is a connection between Rangers and Agilists.

    We might call them practitioners, journeyman, or jack’s of all trades, who cares about labels as it’s not the point.  Since Agilists with expertise are less concerned about air dropping in and rolling to their next engagement, these common-sense Agilists are looking at their entire toolbox to assess which tools work best in a specific context.

    Moving a business into a new way of working is a journey.  Find people who have the right attitude and tools to help an organization navigate to point to point along the way.

    Hire them because they get that understanding context is critical before kicking in doors.  Look for the ones that don’t claim to be experts, but talk about continuous learning.

    Be bold hire the ones who are ready to break some stuff!  Just like the Army Rangers!


    📂This entry was posted in Agile Teamwork 📎and tagged

  • I Have Not Time For Experts, Only Expertise Full Stop

    Posted on by Tim

    Are you an expert who fully uses your expertise? I prefer expertise over being an expert.

    For me, this post has taken a while to publish.  Posts like this are a hot-button topic for many professionals in different fields. I supposed what I have written below is not going to win friends or influence people. 

    I am amused when someone calls me an “expert”. Privately, I will question why a person would consider me an expert in my profession.  Maybe, it is because I have met “experts” and I am mostly not impressed.

    I will admit to this, I am an “expert learner”. That is a title I am proud to receive from my colleagues and fellow industry professionals. I digress, back on topic.

    Both personally and professionally, I am a self-declared journeyman and proud of it.  As a result, I will always be a journeyman and have no plan to be anything other than, say, a skilled practitioner. 

    Kids learning
    My daughters learning expertise while building a rockbox.

    Prefer expertise. Does that make sense?  Does that connect?

    I read that at different points in time, the sum of human knowledge and gathered information is doubling at an amazing pace. A recent post highlights my point.  It is mind-blowing and mind-numbing at the same time.  With all this experience being cataloged, no one person can be an expert for any length of time.

    This has weighed on my thematic posts about “#humans_being” and “#showing_up”.  We have created a point of cause that has resulted in the pursuit of experts at the expense of humans being and developing expertise.

    I want you to take a moment to pause on this point.  Could all the experts in a given field be wrong because they are so knowledgeable that they have forgotten how to listen, learn, and connect to others with different experiences?


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Stop! Do Your Life Differently, With Coffee!

    Posted on by Tim

    Here’s my twist on a phrase. “Always be creating.”

    In the movie, “Glengarry Glen Ross“, Alec Baldwin’s character made an interesting point. “A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing.” said Blake, Baldwin’s character.

    For context, closing is closing the sale. In this case, the real estate sale.

    A-B-C from Glenngarry Glen Ross

    I submit to you, dear reader, a variation of A-B-C.

    Always Be Creating.

    Always be collaborating, be communicating, be connecting, or be celebrating.

    Be human, humans being.

    My sense is we spend far too much time worrying about what may happen and not enough time making it happen. It could be “analysis paralysis” or fear. Trust me, analysis and fear have their place and time.

    In my office, I have a magnet on my whiteboard. Done > Perfect. What happens if I’m not getting work done, taking action, and doing “the thing”? In my understanding, I’m not in a state of “always be”.

    I do want to make an important point. Use this as a focus tool, mostly at work. At home, different contexts, and different focuses. Always be comforting, connecting, celebrating, or conscious are better than closing at home!

    If I’m focused on achieving outcomes in the team construct, at work, then “always be” and “done is greater than perfect” would get better results. Why do I write this? Because this might be a key to getting unstuck.

    Try it out! What do you have to lose?

    Colorful paint pallet on a wall
    Paint pallet – credit Dan Cook on Unsplash

    📂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

  • 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