Francie Van Wirkus's Blog, page 23
August 30, 2017
Drive Agile or Lead Agile?
Are you hoping to roll out Agile, and check it off the list? It’s not that simple. In fact, companies that roll out Agile in a systematic, project-managed way usually stop using Agile, because it “doesn’t work for them.” Here’s some motivation to think differently about your agile transformation: An excerpt from Permission to Lead, book2 of The Dominant Gene series. Main character Joel, an IT…
August 28, 2017
Potential
“All those seeds!”
Yes. All that potential, just in one slice of white dragon fruit.
What about the countless seeds within your heart and mind? Some are noisy and persistent; some are fleeting. All are worthy of your attention. What will you do step past imperfect conditions to draw them out, and share them with the world?
August 21, 2017
The Trust Game Part 2
Part 2 of 2 in a blog series. An excerpt from Permission to Lead, book 2 of The Dominant Gene series. Main character Joel is meeting one-on-one with his coach, Eve to discuss measuring employee engagement. “And, whenever things are a game, there is competition. And likely, cheating.” How well she knows this problem. “Well, there is that.” “People and teams are not fools. They know when it…
August 16, 2017
The Trust Game Part 1
Part 1 of 2 in a blog series. An excerpt from Permission to Lead, book 2 of The Dominant Gene series. Main character Joel is meeting one-on-one with his coach, Eve. “How about this one, Eve?” I share the story of how leaders trusting us is now our problem. First it was talking about the survey responses, then there was the undiscussables box exercise. Now Lora is going to continue the exercise…
August 14, 2017
Platitudes Foster Wishes, not Hope
Platitudes Foster Wishes, not Hope
An excerpt from Permission to Lead, book 2 of The Dominant Gene series. Main character Joel is being coached one-on-one by leader coach, Eve. Eve nods, “Platitudes foster wishes, not hope.” “My turn. What you do mean? That sounds like some social media poster.” “When people are asked to change, but there is no credibility or substance behind the request, then the person or company asking them…
July 17, 2017
Agile 2.0 or Distraction?
Seems everyone is joining in giving Agile a refresh these days. This feels good, because it shows we care and want to adjust and adapt.
Resist the temptation to run to the next thing because it is the next thing. Especially if you were kinda sorta Agile to begin with.
July 14, 2017
A Place for Dysfunction
If you’re working to deliver value of any kind, you will find trouble in your job or career. What you do with it is up to you, more than you believe. Successful people find a place for the dysfunction. Great, how to do it? Permission to Lead, my latest book in The Dominant Gene series, offers this advice, through a coaching interaction between main character Joel, and his coach, Eve. “In…
July 12, 2017
That Moment
Racing Ironman Triathlon has its share of challenges. The greatest ones are those I call Ironman Moments. When it’s incredibly difficult to continue on even one step more. When there are 1,000 reasons to quit, and only one to keep going… Your One Thing. Your one reason is strong enough to overcome all the objection a race can dish out. Ironman Wisconsin 2016 with fractured foot: it came down to…
July 10, 2017
Accept Where You Are
Challenge your mind to slow down enough to accept your reality. Only then can you grow. Excerpt from Permission to Lead, book 2 of The Dominant Gene series. “This guy just fired the VP. Maybe I’m next,” I sigh. “Then you have nothing to lose,” Eve offers. “I guess I’m more of a mess from this than I thought,” I lean back in my chair. “Accept where you are. It’s your reality. There is frustration,…
July 6, 2017
Great Leader, Agile Leader
All great leaders are not Agile leaders.*
But all Agile leaders are great leaders.
*At the highest level, an Agile leader is fearless; not afraid to serve others, to learn daily, and to sense and adapt to uphold quality and customer value.
Reading Reveille will help you be a great leader.
