In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast – Value Delivered Series, host Dave West is joined by Carmit Ophir, Senior Director at StoreDot, and Professional Scrum Trainer Michal Epstein to explore how StoreDot leveraged Professional Scrum to tackle the complex challenges of developing ultra-fast-charging batteries for electric vehicles. Fac…

What’s the real difference between accountability and ownership—and why does it matter so much in leadership and teams? In this episode, Kate and Ryan unpack the often-blurred lines between these two powerful concepts. From missed healthcare appointments to product backlog chaos, they share real stories, relatable moments, and practical insights on…

Josh Anderson and Bob Galen share their top three career-changing lessons about leadership, patience, self-advocacy, and escaping the feedback desert. Tune in to learn how to unlock your full potential and thrive in any organization. Stay Connected and Informed with Our Newsletters Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse" Dive deeper into the world …

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, guest host Lindsay Velecina welcomes Professional Scrum Trainer Simon Reindl to answer listener questions from his recent webinar, “How do the Scrum Accountabilities Work at Scale – Practical Steps for Delivery.” Drawing on years of hands-on experience, Simon breaks down Scaled Scrum and portfolio…

In this episode of the Team KatAnu podcast, hosts Kate and Ryan sit down with Anu Smalley to unpack the concept of self-leadership—a foundational pillar in their Leadership Growth Wheel framework. With personal stories, practical tips, and thoughtful reflection, the trio explores the power of self-awareness, personal vision, and personal mastery. W…

Agile experts Sandy Mamoli and David Mole join Meta-Cast to share what they’ve learned after a decade of running self-selecting teams. Discover how team autonomy, hackathon culture, and the new edition of Creating Great Teams can help you build empowered, high-performing Agile teams in any organization. Links to and information about David and Sand…

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, guest host Lindsay Velecina is joined by Professional Scrum Trainer Joanna Plaskonka to answer lingering questions from her recent webinar on psychological safety in Scrum Teams. Joanna shares practical insights on measuring psychological safety using Amy Edmondson’s model, handling micromanagemen…

In a world where leadership requirements constantly evolve, having a structured approach to leadership development has never been more crucial. In this podcast Ryan chats with Kate and Anu Smalley (CEO of Capala Consulting), co-founders of Team KatAnu about their Leadership Growth Wheel—a comprehensive framework designed to help leaders at all leve…

How does Toyota apply Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) principles to portfolio management? In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and PST Lucas Smith, Director of Agile Program & Services, Toyota Connected, explore how Toyota Connected structures its funding models, defines product life cycles, and manages dependencies in…

In this candid and experience-rich conversation, Kate and Ryan unpack the most common reasons Agile transformations fail. From lack of purpose and misunderstood roles to cultural resistance and tool obsession, this blog distills their insights into a practical top ten list. Whether you're beginning your Agile journey or mid-transformation, this pod…

In this podcast episode, hosts Josh Anderson and Bob Galen delve into the challenges and responsibilities of leadership beyond traditional hierarchies. They discuss the importance of having difficult conversations, the pitfalls of the "ladder game" where feedback gets lost in translation, and the need for mentoring and agile coaching skills. The co…

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West and Yuval Yeret, Professional Scrum Trainer and SAFe Fellow explore how the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) can enhance the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). They discuss the shift from a rigid "feature factory" approach to a dynamic "lab" environment that fosters experimentation …

In this Leanpub Podcast episode, Len Epp interviews Nicolas Brown, author of Real World Agility: Backed by evidence, built for results.Nicolas shares his unique path from the Royal Mail to working in e-commerce, financial services, and eventually as a sought-after agility and product consultant. He explains his evidence-based approach to agile coac…

In this insightful exploration of the "big rocks" concept from Stephen Covey's work, Kate and Ryan discuss how breaking down large goals into manageable chunks applies to both leadership and Scrum teams. Learn practical strategies for prioritization, sustainable work pace, and achieving meaningful results through strategic goal-setting.…

In this episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen dive into the biggest mistakes of their careers—those defining moments that shaped their leadership journeys. From misguided assumptions to pivotal missteps, they share raw insights on how failures can fuel growth, resilience, and long-term success. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or a seasoned profess…

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and PST Andy Brandt explore the state of Agile transformations and the shift toward the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) as featured in their recently written whitepaper. While Agile has been widely adopted, challenges like misalignment between business strategy and technical executi…

In this Leanpub podcast episode, co-founder Len Epp interviews Isaak Tsalicoglou, author of Northwind Elixir Traders: Learn Elixir and database modeling with Ecto and SQLite, all in one project. They discuss Isaak’s professional background in digital transformation, how a conversation with a friend sparked his obsession with functional programming,…

In this episode of the podcast, Kate and Ryan tackle one of the most persistent challenges in modern organizations: teams working in silos. They explore the symptoms of siloed teams, why silos form, and practical strategies for breaking them down to create more collaborative, efficient, and united organizations.…

In this episode, Josh and Bob dive into the phenomenon of industry bandwagons—the trends, methodologies, and leadership styles that organizations blindly adopt without critical thought. They unpack why these bandwagons form, how they evolve, and the risks of following them without truly understanding their implications. From AI to Agile frameworks …

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Professional Scrum Trainer Jay Rahman to explore the evolving landscape of agility in the Middle East. They discuss how rapid digital transformation is driving the need for agility, not just in startups but also in established enterprises. Jay highlights the critical role of…

In this episode, Kate and Ryan explore the importance of active listening and how it transforms communication. They break down the three levels of listening—listening to speak, listening to hear, and listening to understand—highlighting why true engagement requires more than just hearing words. Kate and Ryan share practical techniques like voice mi…

Public speaking can be intimidating, but it’s also one of the most powerful tools for career growth. In this episode, Josh and Bob break down how to overcome the fear of speaking, the hidden benefits of stepping on stage, and why sharing your story is critical for the next generation of leaders. If you’ve ever considered speaking at a conference bu…

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West chats with Accenture’s Professional Scrum Trainer Dimitris Dimitrelos about how companies and organizations introduce the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM). They explore the shift from project-based to product-based approaches, how APOM integrates business and product development, and…

In this episode of the Team KatAnu Podcast, Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith dive deep into the role of facilitation in Agile environments. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding facilitation, the importance of neutrality, and techniques for ensuring productive and engaging meetings. From maintaining psychological safety to keeping discussions on tra…

In this episode, we dive deep into active mentoring and why it’s an essential, non-negotiable responsibility for leaders. Too many leaders treat mentorship as an afterthought—if it happens, great; if not, oh well. But that’s not leadership. Bob and Josh break down why mentorship must be intentional, how to create a culture of continuous growth, and…

In this Ask a PST session, Professional Scrum Trainer Mary Iqbal answers questions around the principles of Agile Leadership, offering actionable insights for fostering collaboration, enabling self-managing teams, and driving organizational success in a fast-paced, complex world.By Scrum.org

Meetings are meant to drive collaboration and alignment, but when they take over the calendar, they become a productivity drain. In this episode, Kate Megaw (CEO of Arclight Agile & Co-founder of Team KatAnu) and Ryan Smith (Certified Scrum Professional & Product Owner) dive into the real cost of excessive meetings—from wasted time to diminished mo…

In this episode of The Meta-Cast Podcast, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen dive into the "smells" of leadership—both the sweet and the downright stinky. From the signals that indicate strong leadership to the subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs of dysfunction, this episode will challenge leaders to assess their habits and identify where they need to level u…

In part two of this portfolio management Q&A, Dave West, Yuval Yeret, and Darrell Fernandes tackle the complexities of funding products vs. teams, especially in nonprofits. They explore shifting from work-based to product-based funding, managing technical debt vs. product roadmap progress, and aligning business and technology goals. The discussion …

Firefighting is a common issue in many organizations. Teams frequently find themselves pulled into urgent issues that demand immediate attention, often at the expense of planned work. But not every fire is a true emergency. In a recent podcast discussion, Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith explored how constant firefighting affects teams and how organizatio…

In this episode of The Meta-Cast, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen dive into the nuanced leadership challenge of balancing democracy and decisiveness. They explore when and how leaders should open the floor for team input and when they need to make the tough calls. With real-world examples and candid insights, they break down the importance of psycholog…

In this episode of the Team Katanu podcast, Kate Megaw (Certified Scrum Trainer, Agile Coach, and CEO of Arclight Agile) and Ryan Smith (Certified Product Owner and Scrum Master) dive into a common struggle among Agile teams: lack of accountability, unclear ownership, and role confusion. They explore how natural hierarchies form within teams, why p…

In today's episode of The Meta-Cast Podcast, Josh and Bob tackle the complexities of leading teams in politically charged environments. As societal discourse seeps into the workplace, leaders must remain vigilant in upholding cultural standards while fostering open communication and respect. The duo shares practical strategies to navigate tough con…

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave is joined by Yuval Yeret and Darrell Fernandes to answer key questions on Agile product portfolio management from a recent webinar. They explore how to visualize work, reduce work in progress, and prioritize investments using cost of delay. The conversation highlights the importance of quarte…

Hybrid and remote work are here to stay, but how do leaders and teams ensure strong communication, seamless collaboration, and meaningful engagement across time zones? In this podcast, Kate and Ryan dive into actionable insights for addressing challenges like communication gaps, time zone management, and fostering team engagement in a hybrid enviro…

In this episode of The Meta-Cast, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen dive deep into the challenge of coaching leaders and teams effectively. They explore the balance between coaching individuals versus coaching the system, sharing real-world examples of how leadership presence (or over-presence) can either empower or stifle teams. Josh reflects on a time …

Join Kate and Ryan as they delve into the ever-evolving world of hybrid and remote work. From managing across time zones to fostering team engagement and collaboration, this episode unpacks the unique challenges of today’s workforce and explores actionable strategies for leaders and teams to thrive.By Kate Megaw

Forget the Agile buzzwords—Josh Anderson and Bob Galen break down what actually works. In this episode of The Meta-Cast, they challenge Agile 2.0, reveal the real distractions holding teams back, and give leaders a roadmap to focus on what truly matters. Listen now to get back to the basics and lead your team to success. Stay Connected and Informed…

In this Ask a Professional Scrum Trainer episode, Patricia Kong moderates a discussion with Simon Flossmann and Stas Pavlov tackling listener questions on the challenges of Product Backlog Management. They explore techniques for prioritization, balancing technical debt, and improving transparency with stakeholders. From leveraging the Kano model an…

Prioritization is both an art and a science, influencing success at every level of an organization. In this podcast Kate & Ryan explore actionable techniques such as weighted scoring models, Moscow prioritization, the Eisenhower Matrix, and the Kano Model. They discuss how to align your priorities with corporate goals, avoid vanity projects, and cr…

Learn the keys to driving meaningful change in any organization. Bob Galen and Josh Anderson discuss grit, focus, and actionable leadership tactics to help you achieve lasting success, even in the most challenging environments. Stay Connected and Informed with Our Newsletters Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse" Dive deeper into the world of Agi…

In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, our host Dave West speaks with Bilal Alawiye, Agile Coach Lead at Sanofi’s Accelerator, and Stephen Sykes, co-founder of Scrum Match. Bilal shares how Sanofi’s Accelerator transformed its approach to Scrum Mastery. The discussion highlights challenges like mechanical Scrum and the evolving role of Scrum …

In this episode Kate and Ryan tackle one of the most pressing challenges leaders face: prioritization. They delve into the ripple effects of poor prioritization, from context switching that drains productivity to misaligned leadership that derails teams.By Kate Megaw

Explore the implications of the Agile Alliance and PMI partnership in this insightful episode. Learn how it could reshape agile practices, improve leadership strategies, and challenge your perspectives on organizational alignment and adaptability. Stay Connected and Informed with Our Newsletters Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse" Dive deeper i…

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West sits down with Sander Dur and Ryan Brook, authors of Solving for Value: A Journey of Ambition and Stupidity. This unique "bar book" combines a fictional story with actionable insights and real-world advice on Scrum and agility. The authors discuss the importance of prioritizing value ove…

Discover the transformative power of succession-based culture in leadership. In this episode, we share practical strategies to break dependency bottlenecks, empower your team, and prepare for long-term organizational success. Listen now to reshape your leadership mindset! Stay Connected and Informed with Our Newsletters Josh Anderson's "Leadership …

In this episode of the Leanpub podcast, host Len Epp speaks with Dan Holloway, host of the Self-Publishing News podcast, for a comprehensive review of the book industry in 2024. They delve into critical developments, including the expanding role of AI in publishing and its impact on authorship, content creation, and reader engagement.Holloway also …

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Omar Ahmed, a Scrum Master from the UK, shares his inspiring journey from a mechanical engineering background to becoming a Scrum Master. Starting in a defense company with a waterfall-driven culture, Omar recounts how a pivotal encounter during a continuous improvement course introduced him to Sc…

In this week's podcast, Ryan and Kate delve into the concept of user personas—what they are, why they’re essential, and how to leverage them effectively. They discuss how personas can help teams better understand the mindset and needs of core users. The episode highlights common pitfalls in defining personas and offers practical tips to avoid these…

Joe Justice - In this episode of the Leanpub podcast, Len Epp interviews Joe Justice, author of Scrum Master: The Agile Training Seminar for Business Performance, former Tesla employee, and creator of #JoeDX—a methodology based on the business practices, culture, and operating model of Elon Musk’s companies. Joe shares his inspiring journey from gr…