In our first article, we introduced the concept of Agile Coaching and the role of an Agile Coach. We discussed its importance, and we busted some myths.
In this article, we break down the role of Agile Coaching and explore possibilities for what comes next.
What makes up Agile Coaching and the role of an Agile Coach?
Using the Lyssa Adkins Competency Framework, let’s break down each part and see what really does make up Agile Coaching and the role of the Agile Coach.
Agile Lean Practitioner
Becoming a successful Agile Coach means it is important to have a good level of knowledge around Agile practices and values. That’s not just one framework, but bringing an agnostic view of what’s most suitable for that particular environment. And of course, most importantly, always explaining the why.
“Living Agile Values” – in other words Practice what you preach.
Teaching
This is just one stance an Agile Coach can take whilst working with their team and organisation. To teach is to impart knowledge to another – whether that be of Agile frameworks or even an approach to asking powerful questions. Think of a maths teacher teaching from a maths book and telling you how to get to the book answer.
Mentoring
Another stance an Agile Coach can take is to impart one’s experience to another. To share learnings with another. This is different to teaching. To take the maths teacher example. The mentor would describe how they themselves learnt to find the answer, which might differ from what the book says.
Professional Coaching
Our third stance as an Agile Coach. Coaching is all about shining a light on another – helping them explore their own thinking and ideas, rather than directing them down your road of thinking. Coaching another sets them up for long-term success, it helps stimulate the individual’s brain into thinking for themselves – remember, as Agile Coaches we are here to help build sustainability as well as capability.
Facilitating
Our final stance – holding space for the individual and/or team to use. You may be guiding them through conversation, you may just be creating an environment of trust for the team to work together effectively. Facilitation is not about standing at the front of the room and giving instruction, its about empowering your team to flourish through collaboration.
Technical Mastery
We now look across 3 domains – Technical mastery refers to knowledge in a specific discipline (let’s say you have a lot of experience in engineering). Whilst as an Agile Coach it is helpful to have knowledge and experience in this area, it may be a domain that builds as the Coach works with your organisation. Remember, we are firstly people-focused so it’s not necessarily a negative point if your coach has little experience relating to your industry.
Business Mastery
Our second domain looks at supporting value delivery – how can we as Agile coaches support end to end value delivery across the entire organisation. We often see an Enterprise coach (looking horizontal across the organisation) have high expertise in this domain.
Transformational Mastery
And our final domain; An agile coach needs to be a change catalyst – in every sense of the term.
So, think of Agile Coaching and the Agile coach as just another member of your team. They can support with individual and group training, mentoring, and coaching. They work with leadership. They can guide you through problem-solving. Help design frameworks and operating mechanisms to help deliver value more effectively.
They help you and your organisation move forward.
So, what next?
You’ve nearly made it to the end – Thank you for sticking with me.
So, what next…?
If you are like me, you will want to set yourself up for success. Future you will want to be more relaxed, happy, stress-free and successful. So many of us focus too much on the now, doing things that do not create sustainability for our future.
Agile coaching is exactly that, it’s an investment in our future. Investment in learning, in growing, in seeing things differently. Its investment in the individual and more.
So, why not invest today, for the future you?
If you would like to hear more about our Agile Coaching and Training offering, please do get in touch for more information.
