Make Human Connections First, Then Be Agile
Regardless of how many articles I read or write, nor how many certifications I earn or STAR scenarios I prepare for interviews (Situation, Task, Action, Result)…connecting with real people is more inspiring and rewarding.
Making time for real conversations is one of the most human things we can do. How do our opportunities expand once we connect? What if we held each other accountable for Agility on a personal level?
Agile has always worked to make processes more human-centric. Now that we have an overwhelming amount of structure and content like the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) plus the quantum-like acceleration of Artificial Intelligence, I want (and genuinely need) to re-humanize everything that I know.
Take for example the Business Agility Value Stream. No matter the business context, the Business Agility Value Stream is presented by SAFe as a consistent, basic structure with the following steps:
- Sense Opportunity
- Fund Minimum Viable Product
- Organize Around Value
- Connect to Customer
- Deliver Minimum Viable Product
- Pivot or Persevere
- Deliver Value Continuously
- Learn and Adapt
Our human nature is to connect with other people authentically, with genuine curiosity and interest. Apply that to the Business Agility Value Stream and it makes Step 1: Sense Opportunity nearly automatic.
Remember the first Agile Value from the Agile Manifesto?
Individuals and Interactions over Processes and Tools (and opportunities)
While we value the things on the right, we value the things on the left more.
Let’s listen to each other more.
Nelson Ingle, Tolu Ojewunmi and 2 others8 Comments
Great Share Kim! I agree completely.
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@Haness Our conversation today was just what I needed 😃
Fully agree!!
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Thanks for reading and responding, @andrelmcosta
Communication always an important tool in any context
We’ve built so much around frameworks, tools, and structured thinking that it’s easy to forget where real value starts with people.
“Individuals and interactions over processes and tools” is simple, but not easy to live out consistently. It requires intention.
Re-humanizing Agile isn’t a step in the value stream. It’s the foundation.
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@Kimagist Well done Kim! 🙌
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Simply a sparked moment of inspiration enjoyed and shared. #simplyagile
