Jim Schiel’s Blog

Bridging the Gap: Effective Communication Between Managers and Scrum Teams

In an agile setting, communication is the lifeblood that keeps the project moving. This post focuses on the importance of effective, clear, and open communication between management and agile teams. We will discuss strategies, practices, and tools that promote and enhance communication, including daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.

By |2023-08-15T06:31:55-07:00September 20th, 2023|Categories: Agile Management, Organizational Agility|

Reimagining Management: The Role of a Manager in an Agile Development Environment

Agile development introduces a new dynamic to the role of a manager. In this post, we will explore how a manager's responsibilities shift in an agile environment, from controlling and directing to facilitating and enabling. Learn how you can support self-managing teams, help overcome obstacles, and foster an environment of productivity and continuous improvement.

By |2023-08-15T06:24:50-07:00September 13th, 2023|Categories: Agile Management, Organizational Agility|

NFL Head Coach Class of 2023 – Leadership Assessment – Part 2

Let's continue the 2023 NFL Head Coaches and our assessment of their leadership capabilities! In this installment, we unveil coaches at the top of the list, landing at positions #16 and better, including The Apex 10, the top 10 head coaches in the NFL ranked by their leadership abilities. If you missed Part 1,

By |2024-06-04T11:40:28-07:00September 13th, 2023|Categories: Leadership|

NFL Head Coach Class of 2023 – Leadership Assessment – Part 1

As the CEO of Artisan Agility, I've long been a trainer and coach for leaders. I look for solid leadership examples wherever I can, from the boardroom to the office to the football field. Professional football and head coaches are great places to study leadership because it is a high-pressure environment where leaders must

By |2024-06-04T12:51:12-07:00September 12th, 2023|Categories: Leadership|

Demystifying Management in Agility

In the first part of our agile management series, we delve into the heart of agile development - its principles and values as articulated in the Agile Manifesto and how they relate to the typical manager. This post will guide you through the core beliefs that distinguish agile from traditional software development approaches and set the foundation for agile management practices.

By |2023-08-15T06:25:14-07:00September 6th, 2023|Categories: Agile Management, Agile Manifesto, Organizational Agility|

Psychological Safety: The Hidden Ingredient in Effective Scrum

Dear fellow navigators on the trail to team empowerment, today, you and I are setting off on a unique expedition into the heart of Scrum. Together, we will unearth the distinct role a Scrum Master plays in nurturing an environment of psychological safety within their team. Amy Edmondson defines psychological safety as

By |2023-09-01T05:50:01-07:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Leadership, ScrumMaster|

The Role of the Scrum Master in Cultivating Psychological Safety

Fellow navigators on the trail to team empowerment, today, you and I are setting off on a unique expedition into the heart of Scrum. Together, we will unearth the distinct role a Scrum Master plays in nurturing an environment of psychological safety within their team. Let me extend my congratulations to you first!

By |2023-07-13T14:42:01-07:00August 23rd, 2023|Categories: Leadership, ScrumMaster|Tags: |

Building Blocks of Psychological Safety in Scrum Teams

You and I are about to embark on an enlightening journey into the very essence of Scrum teams. Together, we'll explore the profound concept of psychological safety and unearth the building blocks required to foster this indispensable aspect of teamwork . First, take a moment to appreciate your initiative. By engaging with this

By |2023-07-13T14:41:44-07:00August 16th, 2023|Categories: Leadership|Tags: |

Solving Problems: Five Guiding Questions for Product Owners

Problem-solving is at the core of everything we do in product ownership, especially when it comes to agile development. Whether we're defining user stories, setting priorities, or creating strategies, we're looking for solutions. I'd like to take you on a journey that simplifies the complexity of problem-solving into five elemental questions: Who has the

By |2023-09-01T11:08:11-07:00August 14th, 2023|Categories: Product Owner|

The Intersection of Diversity, Inclusion, and Psychological Safety in Scrum Teams

As Scrum Masters and team managers, it's essential to appreciate the interconnectedness of three pillars: diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety. Each plays a unique and pivotal role in team dynamics and overall performance. Unpacking Diversity, Inclusion, and Psychological Safety Promotion of Openness and Active Participation Diversity, characterized by a mix of individuals from

By |2023-06-27T08:40:16-07:00August 9th, 2023|Categories: Leadership, ScrumMaster|Tags: |