#115 Hosts against Humanity: A tale of Scrum, Smurfs & big decisions - Part 2

This episode features an interview with the hosts of Mastering Agility who discuss their personal and professional journeys into Agile. Sander and Jim share how they transitioned into the Scrum Master role from various career paths. Both highlight the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and servant leadership in their Agile work.Jim initially worked in a tech company as a vice president managing multiple roles but shifted to Agile after being recruited by someone who saw potential in his leadership style. He explains that his previous experience prepared him for the Scrum Master role by teaching him to focus on value and relationships. Sander’s Agile journey began with a course on Scrum, which helped him rethink how to approach work, particularly after recovering from burnout. He reflects on how his burnout changed his perspective on success, leading him to focus on what gives him energy and purpose.They also dive into common challenges in Agile transformations, with both hosts mentioning frequent client questions like “How long does it take to become Agile?” or “What metrics should we use?” They emphasize that Agile success depends on adaptability, calculated risk-taking, and fostering an environment where teams can figure out what works for them, much like Spotify did. They criticize organizations that fear risk and avoid change, likening them to companies like Blockbuster and Blackberry, which failed to adapt and ultimately lost their market positions.In discussing work-life balance, Jim and Sander reflect on the impact their careers have had on their personal lives. Jim opens up about struggling with anxiety in the past, while Sander discusses the mental shift he experienced after his burnout, learning to prioritize happiness over traditional markers of success. They also stress the importance of creating space for self-care and setting boundaries in their work, noting that personal well-being is critical to professional success.The episode ends on a lighter note, where each of the hosts shares something personal. Sander reveals that he was once a ballroom dancer, while Jim talks about how he dealt with anxiety. They discuss hypothetical alternative careers if they didn't need to work for money, with suggestions ranging from running a sustainable farm to being a professional helper, tying back to their values of service and learning.Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Om Podcasten

Why is it that products are so hard to develop and deliver? How can we truly deliver value with so many different variables that can affect the outcome?   We are Sander Dur and Jim Sammons, professional consultants and trainers who support organizations in their pursuit of creating valuable products. Passionate about helping the community and practitioners apply the theory many authors and thought leaders bring to the industry, we started this podcast to make these concepts more accessible. This podcast will change your career and organization. You’ll be entertained while learning about the industry’s leaders and other practitioners, and you’ll feel familiar with the situations discussed as we invite guests over and discuss tools, concepts, models, metrics, leadership, frameworks, and many more elements that help you deliver amazing products. Both of us understand the many struggles, challenges, antipatterns, and dysfunctions many of us face in our daily working lives. We are here to provide actionable advice and strategies for you to create continuous improvement. You will find things that actually work for many organizations, as we and our guests have tried and tested them. You will find a goldmine of actionable information from many fields, including the space industry, Formula 1, psychology, and Silicon Valley’s top entrepreneurs. We break down these complex topics into easily digestible insights that you can start applying in your careers right away. The best part is that you can even join our live recordings to ask your most burning questions and get them answered based on your needs! We dive deep into the world of business agility, product discovery, delivery, validation, product management, and product frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, LeSS, and many more. We’ll explore the benefits of decentralized decision-making, autonomous empowered teams, leadership, and much more. We empower you with the information you need to become the leaders your organization deserve. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.