There’s an old English proverb that I had always taken for granted. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” In my experience, this had always been a universal truth because people I've met the world over aren’t much different from each other when it comes to resisting change. The older I got, the more … Continue reading A Good Time to Teach Old Dogs New Tricks
As I started to think about this post, I developed “Writer’s block”. In the hopes of clearing myself of this condition, I decided to start with a better understanding of what the term means. Here’s what I found: "The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing” … Continue reading How I Cleared My Writer’s Block
The Tampa Bay Lightning just won the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. They defeated the Dallas Stars in the best of seven finals series 4 games to 2. After 65 days being in the bubble, an interesting info graphic flashed up on the arena scoreboard during a break in action. It listed out imagined thoughts … Continue reading Be Present
"Yeah don't hold backTrust your gut reactionBe bold, be bold babyIf you don't take chancesYou won't make advances"– The Rolling Stones, Hold Back. As economies around the world slowly emerge from the devastating effects of the pandemic, most, if not all businesses are reflecting on their pre-COVID business models and business goals to forge a … Continue reading What’s Holding Managers Back from More Agile?
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the experts mind there are few"- Shunryu Suzuki. I walked up to the window and peered in. There were a few customers lined up, each neatly occupying a social distancing dot on the floor. The baristas were busily preparing drinks and food while chatting with co-workers … Continue reading Awakening the Beginner’s Mind
“Agile, what value art thou now that we are remote and apart?” I, like many Agile practitioners, have been and continue to be impacted by this endemic pandemic. Degrees of impact ranging from digitizing interactions, events and Post-it notes to a dearth of jobs. It’s been all fun and games as I have enjoyed the … Continue reading 4 Plus 12 Reasons Why Agile Now More Than Ever
Agile team members working apart or remotely from the rest of the team have long been a thorn in the side of Agile purists. Those who staunchly stood by the Agile Manifesto principle touting the efficiency and effectiveness of in-person face to face conversation, would often rail against the few team members who personally preferred … Continue reading Work From Home: Privilege to Policy?
When I was growing up, I consumed a steady diet of spaghetti westerns. My favourites were the ones starring Clint Eastwood. The protagonist of those movies was usually a veteran gun slinger who had seen better days and was weary of having to defend his reputation as the best in the west - #1. The … Continue reading Is Better Best?
How will physical safety impact and affect the psychological safety equity built up over time within our teams? Will psychological safety become a casualty of physical safety? I had a chance to ask these questions and more at a recent virtual Toronto Open Space. I proposed a session titled “The Death of Psychological Safety” [...]
“If a sea lion claps at the Bronx Zoo, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? There is plenty of time to ponder koans these days at the animal park, where the coronavirus pandemic has left the sea lions, and the rest of its roughly 6,000 creatures, without an audience.” (New York Times, “Coronovirus Live Updates: Global Cases Exceed 1 Million.” April 3, 2020)[...]
