How Important are The Agile Principles? To me, the 12 Agile Principles are everything you need to build and guide your practice. Rather than memorizing a ton of frameworks, rules and regulations, the Agile Principles allow us to hold in memory a few simple, yet elegant, virtues that can be adapted to any industry, client or context. It’s easy to recite the twelve Agile principles, but living them is a whole different story, and we aren’t always honest about the ways we fall short. This episode f...
Aug 04, 2025•14 min
Developing your Agile Coaching skill is NOT about MORE As you progress in your career, you might be tempted to accumulate MORE – more knowledge, more processes, rules, and templates. Why not sign up for one more newsletter, or substack, or Discord, or podcast, or blog. Why not read one more book? Why not go to another Agile Coaching camp, or conference? It makes sense on the surface. If something has the potential to help me, why not get more of that? But then you never really develop the instin...
Jul 28, 2025•11 min
Sameness In Agile Practice There seems to be an awful lot of sameness out there. If you follow social media, especially LinkedIn, I’ve been seeing more and more Agile advice that encourages people to follow templates. Whether it be for retrospectives, standups, meetings, reports, or what to say to your boss, we’re promoting sameness as a virtue – whether we intend to or not. Why Is Sameness a Problem? I think the big issue with sameness is that it teaches us not to trust our unique voice. As agi...
Jul 21, 2025•13 min
Corporate Agile refers to the diluted practices, unnecessary compromise, and prioritizing uniformity and safety over innovation and impact. Now 25 years old, has the potential to make work better. Yet, as it’s been adopted by massive companies, we’ve seen a slow erosion of its core intent. What many of us are feeling is that in large companies, genuine Agile ways of thinking and working rarely fit. We see the focus shift to efficiency, dashboard-driven status checks, and a risk-averse culture wh...
Jul 14, 2025•12 min
Finally – Career Freedom in the Agile Space This week, let’s focus on a new future for your Agile practice. If you’re unhappy with the status quo, where agility has gotten stuck in endless frameworks, roles, certifications, and tired routines. This episode is for you. We explore Forge Genesis, a project that’s taken shape from persistent questions about what comes next, especially for those of us craving true career freedom and impact outside of traditional frameworks and job opportunities. The ...
Jun 03, 2025•16 min
Better Meetings – The PDF Guide FREE! ***Enter Coupon Code BADASSAGILE at checkout to snag Dave’s “Guide To Better Meetings” for FREE right here!!! Sign up for Dave’s “Better Meetings in One Hour” live event! Get 10$ off Dave’s live event – “Better Meetings in One Hour” by using Coupon Code SAVE10 right here!!! Check out Dave at Better Ways of Working here… Agile careers are shifting. You have to stand out and create meaningful, independent value in a space that’s not as rich with traditional op...
May 28, 2025•22 min
“Non-conformity” is a loaded word. Conformity feels safe. It’s comforting to look around, see everyone else doing the same thing, and assume it’s the right path. But comfort rarely leads to success or fulfillment. Think about the people you genuinely admire—the ones whose careers and lives you’d love to emulate. Chances are, these people aren’t rule followers; they’re true originals. They’re not concerned with fitting in or copying what others do. Instead, they’re focused on creating something n...
May 19, 2025•17 min
In this episode of Badass Agile, we explore what it means when the thrill and satisfaction of being the hero in our work begins to fade. Many of us who work in Agile or similar fields were drawn to the practice for the real impact we could have helping others adapt to change, master the unknown, or achieve things they thought were out of reach. That feeling of significance has powered our professional lives. But as technology matures and becomes commonplace, and as Agile practices become standar...
May 13, 2025•12 min•Ep. 263
We’re all creators. Whether you’re a developer, product owner, scrum master, or agile coach, what you do matters. In fact, every action, every conversation, and every idea creates ripples of impact far beyond your immediate surroundings. Recently, two former students from different Forge cohorts met at an Agile conference. They shared a moment, snapped a picture, and reminded me of something vital: that moment never would have existed without what I’d created through the Badass Agile podcast and...
Apr 14, 2025•16 min
If you’re an agile practitioner, coach, or leader, there’s one thing we all fundamentally crave—freedom. But not just freedom in the abstract sense; I’m talking about the freedom to do meaningful work in innovative, impactful ways. Over the past few years, particularly since the upheaval of the pandemic, the landscape of work has radically shifted. Jobs have become transactional. Loyalty between companies and employees has waned, and many of us now find ourselves asking deeper questions: What is...
Apr 08, 2025•13 min
In this episode I explore the challenges and limitations that the current corporate approach to Agile presents. Agile has devolved from a dynamic framework into a rule-bound guidebook that often prioritizes pleasing corporate structures over innovation. This “employee mindset”, and its focus on maintaining the status quo stifles innovation – and speed. I challenge you to embrace an agile spirit that favors experimentation, flexibility, and a willingness to break free from rigid frameworks. The c...
Dec 16, 2024•10 min
3 Skills to Secure Your Agile Future Make your agile future more viable amidst current market challenges. It’s time to focus on three critical skills we’ve never really addressed before: understanding real customer needs, convincing clients to adopt lean methodologies, and mastering the art of pitching and selling your ideas. By focusing on these areas, you can break free from traditional roles, and offer unparalleled value to organizations. Time to move beyond just technical proficiency to beco...
Sep 23, 2024•17 min
In this episode I’ll share how Agile changed my life and career over the years. First off, Agile taught me a ton about how businesses really work and make money. It helped me understand the importance of putting the customer first and solving real problems they face. These lessons helped me start my own business and focus on innovation, instead of deepening my career as a Project Manager and consultant. I talk about using Agile to push boundaries in your career, whether you’re staying within a c...
Sep 10, 2024•13 min
NEW! Grab my new guide to Finding Agile Opportunities outside software and tech! https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/310wb5ytc52ym3mwi7o21/Revitalize-Your-Agile-Career.pdf In this episode of the Badass Agile podcast, we discuss How to Revive Agile in today’s dynamic business environment. I’ll explore the current challenges facing agile professionals and discuss the need for a shift in mindset and approach. I’ll emphasize the importance of adapting agile principles beyond traditional software developm...
Aug 28, 2024•12 min
In this episode, I discuss the need for reinvention in the agile community amidst the changes brought by the pandemic and the shifting landscape of work. This is a great opportunity for individuals to lead and redefine the value of agile practices, bringing adaptability and the creation of new approaches to thrive in the evolving industry. Want to learn how to embrace change, break habits, and find new ways to bring meaningful transformation in your practice? Join me as I discuss why now is the ...
Aug 16, 2024•8 min
To find out more about The Forge, sign up for an information session , or reach out directly at contact@badassagile.com Unveiling Transformations: The Forge Experience In this episode, we dive into the personal and professional journeys of several individuals who have completed ‘The Forge,’ a year-long development program evolved from a podcast into an immersive course. This episode features: Laurens Bonnema – Visit Laurens’ LinkedIn profile and check out his sketchnoting site Ken Goodman – Visi...
Aug 07, 2024•46 min
Every Department Has Agile Delivery Challenges The Essential Need for Circulation and helping all areas of the business with Agile Delivery Challenlges. In this episode of the Badass Agile Podcast, I highlight the importance of circulation in life and its parallel in agile practice. I emphasize how staying still leads to stagnation and blockages, and stress the critical need for movement and change. To uncover agile delivery challenges throughout the enterprise, practitioners should continually ...
Jul 31, 2024•9 min
I’ve been hosting this show for seven and a half years, watching the agile industry. As I publish less, I’m focusing on validating new ideas. My goal is unchanged – delivering the highest value, and transferring elite skills to leaders based on the principles that actually work. I’m shifting from traditional scrum and agile topics to core principles of simplicity and wellness, creativity and innovation. If Scrum Masters and Agile Coach roles disappeared completely, we’d be ok; what we create and...
Jul 23, 2024•9 min
Adam Smith returns after four years in with his design venture, Tension Consulting Inc. Adam discusses intentional design, building trust with clients, and customer-centric focus in UI/UX services. He speaks in-depth about understanding clients’ needs and objectives – and how global and internal events over the past four years have shaped small business. Adam *gets* modern delivery, and every agile practitioner can learn from his mindset and approach. You can find Adam at https://www.weartension...
May 27, 2024
I’ve noticed across all the Agile discussions that we’re not listening to the business. In this episode of Badass Unscripted, I explore the concept of true agility and the common pitfalls that prevent us from achieving it. Let’s discuss how agile has evolved over time, warning against the tendency to prioritize conformity to rules over genuine innovation and problem-solving. I discuss the importance of embracing change and continuous learning, emphasizing the need to move beyond rigid adherence ...
Apr 29, 2024•9 min
Visit Carl’s website to learn more about his work and find links to purchase his book, “The Biology Of Leadership” in print, kindle or audible formats https://www.virtuecompass.com Check out our Identity Talks video session here: https://badassagile.com/identitytalks **PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohort for 2024! Click here to sign up for an information session: *...
Apr 22, 2024•59 min
Time to work on your own terms. Four years after the global pandemic, work – and why we do it – has changed. You have a choice to make. You can live by the guide, follow the rules and show up the same as everyone else. Or, you can spend your energy and live life on your own terms. Time to be an original. You won’t enjoy serving your teams (and our agile craft won’t grow) until you decide to jump the rails. In this episode, I’ll share insights on finding fulfillment, contentment, and happiness in...
Apr 17, 2024•10 min
Going against the grain is the easiest way to find more authenticity and distinction in your leadership. It definitely helps you stand out in the Agile space. Throughout this episode, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on breaking free from conventional thinking and norms within the Agile industry. I want to challenge you to embrace a different way of thinking and leading. I want you to embrace your unique point of view. Especially if it runs against the grain of accepted thinking. From questioning tra...
Apr 02, 2024•10 min
In this episode, I explore the 3 signs you’re addicted to process and its implications for coaching and leadership. I challenge the traditional concept of rigid classifications and explain how it can restrict our understanding and creativity. Throughout the episode, I identify three signs of having a process addiction and provide insights on overcoming it. I emphasize the significance of focusing on core principles and adapting to change in the dynamic world of agility and leadership. Join me as...
Mar 05, 2024•16 min
Why are we afraid of the word “do”? We have to talk about accountability and commitment in the world of agile leadership. I read more and more about not using the word do – as in “what did you do yesterday/what will you do today”. I think its never been more important to walk the talk, make big promises, and actually deliver on them every single time. Let’s look at how language and attitudes in the agile community are changing, and why it’s crucial to go beyond just following the scrum guide if ...
Feb 29, 2024•14 min
The State of Agile Report, for the first time, has recognized the challenges in delivering success to big enterprise. By the numbers, we can see even practitioners question the ability to scale agile on global stages. GET MY FREE GUIDE TO THE FUTURE OF AGILE! Learn to thrive in 2024 by creating more value and leveraging opportunities that everyone else is missing! Overview of State of Agile Report 2024 Download The State of Agile Report for 2024 Last year’s criticism of the report Comparison wit...
Feb 19, 2024•10 min
In Episode 248 – The Year of The Agile Entrepreneur, I discuss my prediction that 2024 will be the year of the entrepreneur and intrapreneur practitioner. I emphasize the need for a shift in mindset and skills for professionals in the agile industry. I talk about the changing landscape of agile, the importance of adding value to businesses, and the skills required to thrive in the evolving marketplace. I urge listeners to develop skills in listening, solution-oriented thinking, and pitching valu...
Feb 07, 2024•12 min•Ep. 248
Do We Have a Social Duty? Specifically, do we have a duty to influence how social media is used? In today’s episode, I’m delving into the world of social media and discussing the responsibilities of agile practitioners in this digital age. I’ll be challenging leaders to rethink how they engage with social media and the impact it has on our society. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the negative aspects of social media and how we as agile leaders can resist the temptation to contribute to divisivene...
Jan 30, 2024•11 min
In this episode of Badass Agile, I want you to think about the evolving landscape of agile roles and the necessary success skills for 2024. I challenge you to look beyond traditional job titles and industry-defined roles, emphasizing the important skills of adding value, setting ambitious goals, fostering creativity and innovation, making decisive decisions, influencing others, and cultivating resilience. By shedding the constraints of predefined job descriptions and embracing a mindset focused ...
Jan 26, 2024•9 min
Can you handle an honest look at why Agile fails? The reason is often OUR failure to uphold its core principles. I share a story – one you can probably relate to – that illustrates the tendency to focus on the wrong aspects of Agile. This leads to missed opportunities to solve challenging problems. By shining a light on the human nature aspects of agile, I underscore the significance of addressing tough questions and harnessing the power of Agile practices to deliver tangible value. This episode...
Jan 22, 2024•11 min
