Badass Agile

The Real State of Agile in 2026 It’s been nine years since I started this show, and I can tell you this. Agile isn’t going anywhere. But man, has it ever changed shape. Agile in 2026 is barely recognizable from when I started. Our resumes are no longer welcome in recruiter inboxes. Funny, because what we were hired FOR has never changed. Businesses need to move the needle on metrics that count. I can’t offer you a new framework for doing that. I’m still doing amazing stuff that inspires me and exposes me to new challenges and people. What underpins my daily work are those agile principles that I’ve been practicing for 20 years now. The tribes mission is still clear. We build leaders who deliver what matters. We chase excellence. Fundamentals shape who we become, not just what we do. Agile in 2026 demands it. The Four Pillars of The Forge There’s four things I teach in The Forge that will make you badass no matter who you serve or how you serve them. Adopt and embrace these and you’ll be valuable in any market. What the industry decides to call you won’t matter. The impact that you make will still be distinct and distinguished. Vision leads. See ahead. Predict sentiments and shifts. Define a future others buy into. Action beats thinking every time Drop “until.” It stalls everything. Don’t wait for perfect. Make the call. Build the thing. Start the blog. Have lunch with the boss. Arnold Schwarzenegger nailed it – progress creates motivation. Small wins build momentum. Get rid of “should” too. It reeks of conformity. Society wants sameness and ceilings on weirdos. Fly your flag. And no judgment on others. Leaders honor choice. Check yourself if tempted to correct someone else’s lane. Resilience seals it. Fail fast. Learn faster. Agile teaches this, but resilience is the most uncommon quality in business. Post and see. No response? Pivot tomorrow. Continue failing and learning as your means to chase mastery The Show Pivots Yet Again Badass Agile will evolve yet again. Less talk about the job, and the framework. More real agility for a time that is moving at the speed of AI. Leadership: Vision. Discipline. Focus. Mastery. Leaders see voids. Followers wait. Grab the Business Outcomes Partner’s Playbook at https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook. Links below. Share it. Stay in the fight. If you like this episode, you may also like: The 2026 18th State Of Agile Report Badass Unscripted – The Forge – The “Holy $&#! Who Was That?” School **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Meet Kevin Sutherland of SI Delivery Consulting Kevin Sutherland is doing bold things to bring agile methods to large-scale government. He went from early days with Accenture, through first-hand experience with waterfall and the pitfalls of massive system delivery, to founding his own company focused on state-level innovation. Kevin isn’t just theorizing about agile transformation, he’s in the trenches, dealing with resistance, bureaucratic inertia, and public stakeholder pushback. Kevin discusses what makes public sector agile so distinct and challenging. What are the unique obstacles in government (political incentives, captive user bases, absence of commercial profit motives) that make scaling agile so complex? Regulation, oversight, legacy systems, and decades of policy layering are persistent blockers that most commercial agilists rarely encounter. Many true agile practitioners just avoid or walk away from government environments, choosing not to engage because the culture or ecosystem isn’t receptive. You’ll hear what Kevin is actually testing and using in a time when agile has become a dirty word in many orgs, and how he finds ways to deliver value without strictly using “agile” terminology or dogma. You’ll hear about the incremental approach and the transformational strategies he’s developing in Minnesota. You’ll also learn about the tension between short-term, emergency-driven bursts of agility and the longer, harder work of organizational transformation. His strategy in action starts with outcome-focused use cases, and creating a safe, incubator environment for experimentation to enable change without risking the status quo. Getting buy-in from the willing, finding pockets of urgency, and managing vendor relationships in environments where incentive structures aren’t naturally aligned are some of the ongoing challenges. Underlying everything is the growing pace of technological change, especially with AI reshaping expectations about speed and delivery. It’s difficult to know what agile principles look like when roles themselves are changing, and the fundamental problems aren’t getting better on their own. There are never simple answers, but Kevin’s work will give you a clearer sense of the complicated, often contradictory world of government agile and why persistence, honesty, and outcome orientation matter so much. You can find Kevin Sutherland at: https://si-delivery.com Minnesota MES Modernization Strategy RFI Mural Board – includes the strategy videos and links as well as the results of vendor feedback and engagement: https://app.mural.co/t/minnesotamesmodernizationcan3670/m/minnesotamesmodernizationcan3670/1754081683082/fccc2005d83a2d11a12bea54bf6c2caa55b5fdbc?sender=uc99ad10c761de24074363019 Procurement Innovation – contenton procurement innovation at the State Health IT Connect Summit in Feb. https://procurement.innovation.si-delivery.com Procurement Innovation Contract Examples – samples of contract templates that could be used to execute the approach and shrink procurement lead times. https://si-delivery.com/starter-kit **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

What’s the Real AI Opportunity? You know me. I think the AI thing is a bit of a sandstorm. A gold rush. There’s no question its useful (I use it for a ton of stuff actually) and there’s no question its only going to get better. But in the early stages of any new tech, there’s a lot of hype, a lot of bandwagon-joining, and a lot of waste. (Y2K? NFT’s? Anyone…?) What I can say for sure is there’s not a ton of benefit in building Custom GPT’s that will ‘replace what we do’. First of all…why would we hasten our own exit? But also, where’s the consistency of knowledge going to come from? The internet? The bad ideas peddled in certifications? Reddit? Then I hear there’s AI opportunity in binding and automating JIRA workflows, or even PO through development strands. Interesting ideas with no real contenders yet. But here’s what I DO know. Businesses, especially the biggest ones struggle with speed. They’re desperate to innovate – if only to beat their competitors to market. They have the best talent pools, and funds to build and experiment. They’re just no darned good at it. Same story. Silos, dependencies, lack of executive support, fear of failure, organizational inertia. And THAT growing distance between potential and capability is the real AI Opportunity. What Will Never Change AI will keep growing and shifting. The big surprises are still ahead of us. And you don’t need to call out what they are. What you need to recognize is that big groups of people are always slow to move. There’s a natural heaviness to large groups, and with only a few exceptions, they’re not nimble, or agile. It doesn’t matter what the next big thing is. ChatGPT went crazy almost overnight. I first heard about it early 2022 and its been all we’ve been discussing since. If it takes you 2 1/2 years to leverage the advantage, you’re behind. I’m not even sure people WANT to adopt AI that rapidly. Because in this moment, there’s a lot of fear hovering over job loss, ethical use and security. Which means the real AI opportunity will remain elusive to companies unless they learn how to manage that inertia. You could be helping them overcome that fear. If you liked this episode, you should also check out… Will AI Save Agile? Episode_272_AI_and_Agile Adam Smith of Tension – Navigating AI Disruption and Leading The Unknown **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Welcome back Adam Smith, founder of Tension, a Toronto-based user experience firm. It’s been about a year since our last conversation, and Adam Smith’s journey through the rise of AI, the shifting value of UX/UI, and the broader changes across creative and knowledge industries made us reflect more deeply on what we actually do—and how we define ourselves. Adam describes how AI has drastically reduced the manual “effort hours” that once drove the bottom line in UX/UI work. Yet he insists that the real differentiator comes from human experience, intuition, and the scars earned from tackling messy problems. AI can prototype quickly, but it can’t replicate the nuanced understanding that comes from his decades in the industry. Later in the episode, we get to the good stuff. Everyone, regardless of their job title, must face disruption head-on. You can’t wait for the new normal. The burden is on US to lead, question assumptions, and carve opportunities out of the unknown. Adam shares his own methods, including writing as a vehicle for self-discovery. He uses writing to process uncertainty, consider his audience, and reinforce the value of authenticity and connection. Something that AI just can’t do. Entrepreneurship, in its purest form, is about being comfortable fumbling in the dark. It’s about having the courage not just to keep a business afloat, but to create, experiment, and occasionally fail. The ability to find and filter meaning, purpose, and contribution as the foundation for work is, we believe, now essential for anyone seeking to thrive as automation only gets better and better. Adam Smith’s foray into entrepreneurship and disruption reminds us that tech may change how we work, but it doesn’t change why we work. Find Adam Smith at Tension. You can also follow him on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode, you should also check out: Intentional Design with Adam Smith of Tension Agile In Toronto At Night – Adam Smith **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

It’s not just an ideal time to create a movement, it’s essential now. Agile isn’t going to rebound to its original shape. Corporate work isn’t going to get less stressful. Jobs aren’t going to become more abundant. And AI isn’t going to save you from anything. It’s not that things are crumbling. They’re shifting. And if you build the courage and skill, you can create a movement that will let you capitalize. A movement, like this podcast itself, starts when you can see something isn’t working. When a better way is obvious to everyone, except the people who sign your checks, and their unquestioning followers. Why You Should Create A Movement I get that this might be for everyone. Sometimes we just want to show up, punch in and collect our cheque. I wouldn’t judge anyone for not wanting to shout into the darkness. To be the first to say what we THINK everyone else is thinking. But then, that’s what leadership is about. You don’t have to be special, or even more ready than anyone else to create a movement. What I want you to know is that this is available to everyone. And from personal experience, I can tell you it feels good. It feels good when you start something that others have been waiting and hoping for. It feels good when your work causes others to rise, and build momentum. Change is often forced upon us. But there are times when we are inspired by a tiny current rather than a spectacular crash. A small group of inspired, dedicated individuals who believe there MUST be a better way. That’s how Agile itself started. Rooted in service, they decided to stop doing what wasn’t working and create a movement of their own. Not for everyone, but for US. And 25 years later, we are not only due, but I’d argue that currents more powerful than software development alone demand that we rise. If you liked this episode, you might also like: Have Your Own Voice Why You MUST Stand For Something **CHECK OUT FRED DEICHLER** I’ve really enjoyed reading Fred’s substack. He’s not just talking about AI, he’s playing with it and writing about what he makes, and why it matters from the perspective of an Agile practitioner. A very, very good read. Find him at www.triforceagility.com and let me know what you think! **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

You chose this tribe. You opted in, because you’re a Badass Agile Leader. This is the call. Time to raise your voice. You have experience, you have something to say. Your wisdom is worth something. Rather than chill on social media and bark about how bad things suck…why not DO something with that passion? With that point of view? Before we start, I want to shine a light on someone who’s actually out there delivering on the promise of Agile. Kevin Sutherland works in perhaps the most challenging environment. Public Services, or government, are complex, siloed, and mired in legacy. Kevin is holding firm, bringing real Badass Agile Leadership to state-level teams (and the taxpayers they serve). Check out Kevin Sutherland and follow his path to insititutional/large enterprise agility: Check out His State systems modernization video. Check out Kevin Sutherland on YouTube How A Badass Agile Leaders Answer the Call As I was saying, time to use your voice to lift up the entire tribe. No one is out there painting a firm vision of the future. What was written 25 years ago needs some adjusting for a modern context. Lessons learned through failure inform a new reality. A Badass Agile Leader recognizes there’s a better way that defies the pedestrian chatter. They refuse to follow the herd, yet the know innately that wisdom lives within the herd. They hold no desire on being ‘the leader’ as much as they inspire the masses to organize, and sometimes, to wake up. That’s what I love talking about now. A Badass Agile Leader knows how to stand for something, and to stand up for something. Not everyone is comfortable being seen, much less rocking the status quo. But if you’ve been following this show for any amount of time, you KNOW that change requires courage. Maybe even sacrifice, and growth. Or maybe you’d just like to be part of a new movement, from the second row or further back. This is all good. But a Badass Agile Leader hears the call right now. It’s undeniable. The old days aren’t coming back. No more calls from recruiters, no more premium rates. Unless…we do our duty and make Agile relevant to our modern context. If Agile isn’t doing the job, I know you’ve noticed. You probably have an opinion about what should be done differently. That’s your asset right now. If you enjoyed this you might also like: Episode 103 – Herds Versus Heroes Employee Mindset Why You MUST Stand For Something **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Time To Stand For Something It’s our season to carve out an authentic place as leaders in the new universe of Agile. Following the crowd isn’t enough. In this environment, flooded with process trainers and framework enforcers, there’s an absence of meaningful leadership. We’re encouraged to focus on the steps and systems, but how are we developing the leaders we actually become, or what values we fiercely defend? We wander the halls of organizations spouting the same textbook answers, rarely asking if these practices serve our teams, or make a lasting impact on business outcomes. I challenge you now to stand for something. To risk stepping away from the safety of crowd-pleasing, and to lean into the experiences, struggles, and perspectives that have shaped us. Your personal battles and growing pains (in my case, it was dealing with criticism, overcoming bad habits, or finding confidence through disciplines like boxing) are more than just anecdotes. These struggles shape how we lead, communicate, and influence the culture around us. It’s only when you weave those hard-won lessons into your approach that you become truly distinct. And in this market, distinction matters. If nothing else, its a chance to lead by YOUR rules, not by those set by an industry. What sets us apart isn’t quirkiness for the sake of being different, it’s a principled stance forged from our real experiences. As AI and remote work have forever transformed the industry, we face a choice. We can recede into the background, recycle what everyone else is saying, or stand for something only we can offer. Our unique viewpoint, even if it feels vulnerable or counter-establishment, IS the value we offer to our teams and communities. This show has always had an element of resisting comfort and conformity. The best way to do that is to explore the truth that only we offer. Are we willing to risk rejection by speaking it? When you put yourself out there, whether in a podcast, a blog, or leading a team, you attract people who resonate with your message. That personal touch, rooted in our struggles and transformed into insight, becomes our greatest asset. In a changing landscape, its when you stand for something meaningful that you rise from an average leader into an influential one. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Non-Conformity is the Key To Your Agile Future Going Against The Grain **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Q1 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Time to Stop Doing and Start Leveraging Agile Let’s get real about the current state of Agile in our industry and what it means for your career. I get the fear and uncertainty many of us are feeling. We’re seeing pay cuts, shrinking opportunities, and the sense that the “glory days” of Agile might be over. But it’s not the end. Agile as a mindset and practice isn’t going away anytime soon. Companies still value Agile, even if it’s not feeding hype and dollars into it the way they once were. We’re now at the mature end of adoption curve. Like any other tech trend, the “new frontier” phase might be over, but there is lasting value in your Agile skills. As long as you’re leveraging Agile for the benefit of customers and shareholders, rather than policing framework rules. There are two main paths forward: you can leverage your Agile experience entrepreneurially by bringing it to new business areas, or you can help organizations connect Agile to real business outcomes, especially as companies struggle to harness technologies like AI. The future is about leveraging Agile and integrating it into business operations for tangible results, not following the mechanics. Waiting for the perfect new role isn’t a strategy. It’s time to get creative, gritty, and proactive. There are no well-worn paths here. You’ll have to use your skills of experimentation and continuous learning to restore momentum in your career. If you’ve been feeling stuck or like it’s time to give up on Agile, it’s time to think differently and seize new opportunities. Time to shift to Leveraging Agile. **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Jan 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Certainty In Uncertain Times A turbulent world has an impact on our industry and our personal sense of purpose. Unrest, confusion, and uncertainty not only shapes markets, it bleeds into our daily work and our identities as Agile practitioners. We don’t shy away from admitting how tough things feel right now: many of us are tired, a little lost, and wondering if all the skills and experience we’ve built still matter in a climate that doesn’t seem to value what we bring. This crisis of purpose is widely shared, and it’s okay to feel frustrated. The Agile community, once hailed for its energy and transformative power, is now met with skepticism, and sometimes, outright dismissal. When we start internalizing these messages, we risk stepping back, waiting for someone or something else to make things better. To make things certain again. We wait for permission. We hope for a change agent or a new visionary to lift us out of this malaise. But what if none is coming? So Who’s Gonna Save Us? This moment forces us to ask tough questions: who organizes the millions of practitioners? Who inspires, motivates, and charts the next step? Instead of lamenting the “glory days,” we explore the idea that it’s up to us to fill that leadership vacuum. We create our own certainty. And yes, it’s daunting. Imposter syndrome and the noise of detractors can be paralyzing, but I want to push you to see the salvation in this possibility. Like open source—we have permission to own it. To do that, we’ll need to step beyond incremental tweaks and complacency. Small changes won’t cut it. We need bolder action. Perhaps creating new ways to engage leadership or communicating the value of Agile in executive terms. This may be uncomfortable, even scary, but the alternative is inertia, both in our work and within ourselves. In the face of uncertainty, we must BE certainty itself. Ultimately, we face a challenge: we must become the certainty, the leadership, and the vision the moment requires. Let’s refuse to wait for the torch to be passed. Let’s choosing to pick it up. If we’re honest, Agile practitioners are change leaders by nature. The world isn’t going to give us permission or clarity; we have to create it. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy: Badass Unscripted – Embody True Certainty Episode 230 – The Difference-Makers **GET THE BUSINESS OUTCOMES PARTNER PLAYBOOK** Learn how to deliver undeniable ROI that saves your job and accelerates your future https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Jan 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Outcomes, not Outputs We wonder why Agile is dying. Should we be so surprised? You’re probably watching your wallet these days. Prices are up, the economy is slow and uncertain. Your employers are no different. In 2026, story points, velocity, lead time and throughput might matter to YOU, but they don’t matter to THEM. Not to say that those measures aren’t important. Heck, you can’t tune your development, testing and deployment operations if you’re not looking at them. But if you were called to the mat tomorrow, if you were asked to prove the ROI of what you do, those metrics don’t tell a compelling story. It’s about Outcomes, not Outputs. Coaches and SM’s are now being called to defend their worth. They’re not interested in how well-tuned the development machine is if that doesn’t translate to real business results. The measures that the business cares about have to do with their financial outcomes, not outputs that don’t face the customer. Are your efforts helping the company create shareholder value? Do they impact earnings-per-share? If your boss spends a few million on a cadre of Agile Coaches this year, is that a net-positive investment for the company? More cashflow? More customers? Fewer abandoned carts? New subscribers? I know. I sound super-corporate right now. And maybe you hate that. But if you’re looking to accelerate your career in 2026, you can’t ask the people who fund it to trust you, sight unseen. They’re taking a closer look at the books, and these questions are long overdue. How are you contributing to our results? The Dev team might be considered a necessary expense, but if your Agile Shirpa talent aren’t making the team more impactful than they would be on their own, why are you even here? Remember, its Outcomes, not Outputs. This is the future of Agile practice in large enterprise. You have to collaborate with the business, and drive results for them. If you want to learn how, you should check out my brand-new Business Outcomes Partner Playbook. Get the edge so you can get your career back where it belongs, and say good-bye to to the upheaval and uncertainty that’s ripping through our industry. Did you enjoy this episode? You might also like these: The 2026 18th State Of Agile Report Episode 224 – Circulate Value – The Agile Survival Skill Episode 235 – Agile Is A Doorway **LEARN HOW TO DELIVER UNDENIABLE ROI THAT SAVES YOUR JOB AND ACCELERATES YOUR FUTURE** Get the Business Outcomes Partner Playbook Now! https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need to stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Jan 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Pivot your career by becoming an Agile Business Outcomes Partner. Help companies get what they’re begging for – real, measurable business value from their Agile investments. Buy the audio+PDF playbook here. The State Of Agile Report Finally Dropped For a bit there, I thought I’d missed it. I’m not 100% sure if there ever was a 2025 report, but for no good reason, I checked this week, and voila! There it was. The 2026 edition. I don’t exactly set my watch to the annual State Of Agile report, but it IS very very good. What I like most about it is the data focus. We’re not hearing from pundits or experts. The authors poll 350 organizations with a set of prepared questions about Agile as it is today; in doing so, they’re able to draw contrasts to how it looked in past years. They ask about adoption rates, satisfaction, quality issues or improvements, Agile role definitions, Agile’s impact on planning and business strategy…and the answers give a good internal temperature of how we’re impacting business and technology. Calling Out Trends The State Of Agile Report spends a good amount of space on trending stats. It’s good to know how things ARE, but even better to know where they’re going. There’s been some sharp changes since the last report, and they reflect what you’ve probably been feeling out there in the field. Investment Is Up, But Trust and Quality Are Down When you see all of the layoffs and dried-up opportunities, you’d likely assume that spending on Agile is down. That was the big surprise in the 18th State Of Agile Report…Investment is actually UP. Most companies are increasing or sustaining existing investment in Agile. And yet, we can clearly see that interest is waning. How can this be? Whether its sunk-cost fallacy or the commitment and consistency principle, companies are not ready to cancel all their Agile programs quite yet. For reasons discussed later, there is a lot more order and automation in development operations, and apparently that’s worth spending to keep in place. Buyers Demand Proof of ROI But at the same time, one of the biggest jumps in this year’s State Of Agile Report is the increased scrutiny on Value. Folks want to know – how is Agile impacting my core business metrics? Where is this investment mapped to improved business outcomes? The answer is often “we don’t know”. That’s causing a lot of shifting in how much companies invest – which is why we see roles being eliminated, repurposed, combined or redefined. Three quarters of respondents say there is an increased pressure to defend or prove the ROI of their Agile spend. Three quarters. This is a huge signal. Roles are Changing Most respondents reported that their Agile roles have changed in some small way. A small number have shifted off of Agile tasks altogether, but most have found their roles hybrid-ized with traditional PM or project/product roles. Some have found that the coaching-only role is diminished. Others still report that they are responsible for ensuring Agile has traceability back to business outcomes, as described above. Systems are Nice, But They Don’t Help Make Better Decisions It’s subtle, but its there….what we’ve professed all along is actually supported by data. Systems, tools and processes, while important, take a back seat to business imperatives. Many respondents in the State Of Agile Report describe satisfaction with they’re systems, in terms of visibility into the development pipleine. But again, the link between that pipeline and measurable value is cloudy at best. Ai Can Help (But Maybe Not Yet) But wait! Isn’t AI going to save Agile? Maybe someday, but not quite yet, according to The State of Agile Report. The problem with AI is the spotty, disorganized adoption. Guardrails are few and inadequate. Agentic AI shows promise for automating end-to-end workflows, but only if we treat AI like any other employee or business partner. Reading Between The Lines There’s good news and bad news in The State Of Agile Report. After a quarter-century, Agile has definitely settled in. A lot of what we used to be tresured for has become table-stakes. But the future belongs to those who can become Business Outcomes Partners – those who are able to tie Agile investment to business value. Get The State Of Agile Report Here Donwload your own copy here: https://digital.ai/resource-center/analyst-reports/18th-state-of-agile-report/ Get My Guide to Becoming A Business Outcome Partner Be the first to get this career-changing guide. If you get it before January 12, 2026, you can use coupon code BOXINGSAVE15 at checkout to save 15% off your total price. BOXING WEEK SALE Save 15% Off ALL MY PRODUCTS until Jan 12 2026. Use code BOXINGSAVE15 at checkout. https://learning.fusechamber.com **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need ot stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Jan 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content. If you like this episode, you might also like… State of Agile Report 2024 Review Win Executive Support by Marketing Your Agile POV Episode 224 – Circulate Value – The Agile Survival Skill

Fighting the word “Accountability” Whether or not you like the word, you can’t run a high-performing team without accountability. I recently read a post that blamed accountability and commitment for all of Agile’s failures. One commenter went so far as to suggest that accountability was an affront; an assault. If you’re on a team, or even if you’re being paid to do a job, you’re accountable for something. Someone, somewhere needs you to sign up for a result. They need you to do a certain thing by a certain date. That’s a commitment. That’s accountability. Changing The Word Won’t Help Sure, we can get rid of the word, but it won’t do much to address the reality that makes us fear it; visibility, responsibility and persistence are required to make a great Agile team. There’s little value in being comfortable and easy. Instead, developing the muscle of making small promises and delivering on them CONSISTENTLY is what builds reputation AND speed. Maybe scale too. **BOXING WEEK SALE** Save 15% Off ALL MY PRODUCTS until Jan 12 2026. Use code BOXINGSAVE15 at checkout. https://learning.fusechamber.com **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need ot stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Jan 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content. If you liked this epsiode, why not try… Episode 118 – How To Improve Accountability Episode 172 – Commitment Culture Episode 199 – Should We Eliminate Commitment?

Solving the Agile Executive Support Problem There is a statistic in the Agile community: the number one reason Agile initiatives fail is a lack of executive support. We see this stat, we nod our heads, and then we proceed to complain that leadership just “doesn’t get it.” But CEOs and executives aren’t sitting around wondering how to make YOU and your team more effective. They are worried about revenue, market share, and survival. If you don’t have executive support for your initiative, it’s not because they don’t care; it’s because you haven’t given them a compelling reason to care. Executive support is something WE have to take responsibility for soliciting. The problem is that most Agile practitioners have zero experience driving high-stakes conversations with people in power. We are great at talking to teams, but we freeze up when it comes to the C-Suite. So, how do you fix this? You don’t do it by waiting for the next quarterly review to make your case. You do it by practicing in public. The “Muscle” of Influence Speaking to power is a skill, not a talent. Like any muscle, it needs resistance training to grow. You need to get in the habit of having a strong point of view on what Agile success actually looks like, and you need to start marketing that opinion aggressively. Here’s what I did. I took a specific, tactical approach to building this muscle: Start doing LinkedIn Lives. This isn’t about getting “likes.” It is about two critical outcomes: Clarifying Your Message: When you commit to broadcasting your expertise, you force yourself to articulate your thoughts clearly. You stop hiding behind jargon and start speaking in value. Building an Audience that trusts you: By hosting a platform, you create a space where you can invite leaders, stakeholders, and people of influence to join you. It changes the dynamic. You are no longer the person begging for five minutes of their time; you are the host offering them a spotlight. Stop Wishing for Executive Support. Claim it. If you want executive support, stop treating Agile like a methodology and start treating it like a product you have to sell. When you market your POV publicly, you build credibility. You build trust. Most importantly, you practice the art of holding your ground in a conversation. By the time you actually need to pitch an initiative or ask for executive support to your internal leadership, you won’t be nervous. You will have had that conversation a dozen times already on your livestreams. Don’t wait for permission to be a leader. Turn on the camera, state your case, and build the executive support you need to change minds and create Agile success. If you liked this episode, you might also like: Episode 228 – Agile Has Lost The Script Episode 230 – The Difference-Makers How To Revive Agile (And Your Career **FORGE GENESIS IS HERE** All the skills you need ot stop relying on job postings and start enjoying the freedom of an Agile career on YOUR terms. First cohort starts in Jan 2026 https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-genesis **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

I figured it was about time I addressed this one. You can’t breathe without taking in some serious AI hype right now. How much is fluff and smoke, and how much is real? AND…how will this apply to Agile? Will AI Save Agile? Great question. I have a few gut-level reactions to this. First, I think there’s a gold-rush feel to what’s going on right now. With any new technology, especially the monumental ones, there’s always speculation that this ‘changes the game forever’. But that can’t always be true. On the one hand, AI has a lot of issues. But its early stages. I think the biggest threat is the unbridled greed that goes with mass adoption. Who’s regulating the copyrights of the material AI is trained on? Who makes sure that AI doesn’t recommend or do dangerous or immoral things? But the big question I have is “why would you want so much stuff created by robots?” I can’t articulate why, but I know I don’t want to read a book or watch a play written and mounted by robots. And hey, if LLM’s need our inventions to grow, learn and innovate, what happens when we no longer create ‘things’? AI’s Role in Agility As of this writing, so much of the conversation is about using AI to take the rote tasks out of a Scrum Master’s day…preparing reports or briefs, summarizing retrospectives, and writing user stories. But there’s also discussion that maybe AI can replace Scrum Masters and Coaches. That’s a little scary for those of us who hold or want to occupy these roles in the future. So maybe someday AI can plan our sprints, produce empirical estimates, and even hold coaching conversations. But Will AI Save Agile? That supposes that the solution to all of our current Agile pains have a known solution. After all, we can’t code or teach things that we have no certain knowledge of. And until we do, it would impossible for AI to magically fix what’s wrong with Agile in 2026. That’s still very much a human concern. Stay tuned – I’ll be exporing more about AI’s role in the future of Agile in some upcoming episodes as I learn more… **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **CREATE A PROFITABLE BUSINESS FROM YOUR AGILE SKILLS WITH FORGE GENESIS** Everything you need to ideate, validate, market, and sell to enterprise OR consumers. https://learning.fusechamber.com/the-forge-genesis **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content. If you liked this episode, you should check out: Episode 240 – Why Big Agile Fails Non-Conformity is the Key To Your Agile Future Episode 151 – What’s Next?

I’m launching new cohorts for The Forge Lightning and The Forge Genesis. Go to https://learning.fusechamber.com to find out more and register today. What’s The Latest in Badass Leadership? Something is definitely up. People are angrier, meaner, less fulfilled, less patient and more intolerant. Manners and decorum are taking a back seat to ego and impulse. I won’t get into where I think this is all coming from, but I do know one thing. If you want to make things better, the fastest way is to set an example with Badass Leadership. For a leader to set a powerful example, they have to be in control of their emotions. You have to let situations bounce off of you – including criticism, failure, unfairness, difficulty and conflict. Technically, it doesn’t have to “bounce off of you”, but the badass leader must be in charge of their response to situations like these. That means you’re aware of how situations affect you. You understand your default reactions, and learn how to subvert them. It means you know what is important to you as a leader, and never allow your ego (or your emotions) to take precedence over your vision. It’s never been more important to let your badass leadership shine. What Is Badass Leadership? Thinking back to some very early episodes, Badass Leadership refers to the qualities that a highly seasoned and powerful leader possesses. You are not influenced by currents and tides, nor the opinions of others. You can see clearly where you want to go, and are willing to experiment in an effort to get there. You don’t value being right. You don’t need credit, acclaim, wealth or fame in exchange for what you do. Your leadership is about serving. That means bringing clear value to those who need it the most. At its core, Badass Leadership is about strength. Steadiness, especially in the face of adversity, is a sign of great wisdom and power. Having the humility to realize you’re not perfect, but on a path to mastery, is key. When you’ve begun to master emotional control in yourself, you’ll notice something very cool happening. You can notice it in others. If you’ve been working on emotional control in yourself, you can then use your wisdom and experience to help others. That’s what Badass Leadership is all about. Here’s some episodes touching on Badass Leadership I thought you might also enjoy: The Forge – Badass Agile Immersion Experience Career Freedom with Forge Genesis Episode 168 – The 13 Qualities Of A Badass Leader (Revisited) **JOIN MY BETA COMMUNITY FOR AGILE ENTREPRENEURS AND INTRAPRENEURS** The latest wave in professional Agile careers. Get the support you need to Forge Your Freedom! Join for FREE here: https://learning.fusechamber.com/offers/Sa3udEgz **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **THE ALL NEW FORGE LIGHTNING** 12 Weeks to elite leadership! https://learning.fusechamber.com/forge-lightning **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

Paul Lepage, Foundation BTS On this episode, I sit down with Paul LePage, founder of Foundation BTS, a managed IT services and threat management company, in his office in Newmarket, Ontario. Paul shares his path from corporate IT manager to successful entrepreneur, revealing how embracing agile principles and learning from failure played a pivotal role in building his business. He shared real-world stories about risk-taking, adapting to rapid changes in technology, including the growing impact of AI, and figuring out what it truly means to lead and serve in today’s market. Whether you’re an Agile Coach or Scrum Master thinking about striking out on your own, or just looking for inspiration on leading with resilience and passion, I think you’ll enjoy Paul’s practical wisdom and candid storytelling. Join me for a look at what it takes to build a thriving business on your own terms. Find Paul and Foundation BTS here: https://foundationbts.com paul.lepage@foundationbts.com **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Episode 87 – Fear of Failure Episode 106 – Business Agility – Placing Small Bets Episode 212 – The Agile Entrepreneur

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 focuses on which of the original Agile principles we tend to violate most often: We like to tell ourselves we’re chasing value—but a lot of what we build comes out of habit, orders, or assumptions, not a clear understanding of what our customers or business really need. We reflect on how often our teams lose sight of value, just following a checklist or building for the sake of building. It’s easier to focus on looking busy than to ensure we’re actually moving the needle for the people we’re supposed to serve. We have a tendency to overcomplicate things. We think we’re sophisticated, but mostly, we layer on extra steps, plans, and artifacts to delay real delivery. Simplicity takes guts, and it exposes us to feedback—something many of us quietly shy away from. Our retrospectives and solution workshops often balloon into Excel nightmares, prioritizing spreadsheet gymnastics over real action. We talk as well about our collective discomfort with saying “no”—a crucial principle of focusing on “work not done.” Too often, we say yes by default and take on more work than we should, fearing the consequences of pushing back on business or leadership. The end result? People are stretched thin and real value gets lost in the noise. Working software—or “finished stuff”—is also on the chopping block. We admit that we usually measure progress by the wrong indicators: meetings attended, hours booked, and busyness, rather than what’s actually delivered. And let’s not forget the supposed collaboration with “the business.” Despite Agile’s emphasis on constant feedback and in-person communication, genuine dialogues with stakeholders are rare. Schedules are packed, and direct conversations get traded for emails that are read too late (if at all). Honestly, a lot of us treat Agile principles like slogans, not lived virtues. We tend to avoid the riskiest, but most effective, aspects, and fill the gaps with invented “principles” that are easier to check off. This episode is a nudge for all of us to look inward and challenge the ways we’re cutting corners or playing it safe, instead of truly leading our teams and adding value. You Might Also Like The Following Episodes: Episode 43 – Revisiting the 12 Agile Principles We Failed Agile **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohorts for Fall 2025!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

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 instinct to solve specifically for each customer. You’re busy trying to remember and apply all of the rules, processes, and best practices you’ve collected. Agile Coaching in The Age Of Overwhelm It feels like we’re busy enough – Agile Coaching usually involves helping multiple teams at once. We may feel “on the hook” for financiall results, budgets, team happiness, individual well-being, and corporate practices and standards. That’s a lot. The last thing you need is more information – especially if it all seems to contradict one another. You’re going to feel overwhelmed pretty soon, and in 2025, we don’t need help with that. We already feel like Agile is on borrowed time. Our reputation is at stake and we’re trying harder and harder to prove ourselves worthy. That’s not a great way to feel. Just One More So we keep searching for that magic hack. We keep digital clips and link lists of our favourite articles. Stuff we promise ourselves to remember to try. Here’s what I want you to remember. There is no magic salve. There’s no one thing you must do in order to be great. In fact, you can’t chase greatness as though it were a destination. You will approach greatness through humble practice. Humble meaning – be curious, be open to learning, but don’t crowd yourself with someone else’s rules or virtues. You have to earn them. The hard way. What To Do Instead Rather than obsessing about how well you conform to other people’s prescriptions of “good” Agile Coaching, set your own standards. We do that by learning to trust the process. Try, fail, repeat. If you believe that you don’t have enough info to get started, you’re suffering from “but first” syndrome – the belief that there’s a low-water mark of things you need to know or have before you begin. In the beginning you know nothing. The paradox is, the more you know, the more you realize you still know nothing. You will always be stretching and reaching. Don’t let the sense of inadequacy thwart you. The only way to get great is to endeavour. Do the work. Your Agile Coaching will automatically get better as you work. If you like this topic, you might also like… Badass Unscripted – Too Much of The Wrong Thing Badass Unscripted – Uncommon Agile Leadership Without Certification Episode 209 – Knowledge Focus On Go **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohort for Fall 2024!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

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 agilists, we solve problems for businesses. We deliver solutions to market in a way that allows us to serve the end customer better. We owe it to them to bring our creativity and originality to that enterprise. When we don’t, our work is seen as a factory where requirements are poured in and what comes out the other side is measured primarily on cost and productivity. Why We Crave Sameness Here’s the thing – we’ve been taught to keep quiet, to know our place, to stay in the development room. We no longer see ourselves (if we ever did) as crucial to business success. And we must. If you expect Agile to survive the next five years, and not be replaced by the latest fad or marketing invention…sameness has got to go. We can’t wait for someone to save us…our success, and our reputation for being badass practitioners rests with you. Check out Episode 229 – Why Sameness Is Not A Strategy and Non-Conformity is the Key To Your Agile Future for an earlier take on this issue. **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohort for Fall 2024!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.

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 where the boldness of Agile is stifled. So why do we keep doing Corporate Agile? The benefits that once justified staying inside these environments—steady pay, benefits, job security—have almost disappeared altogether. Layoffs, stagnant career growth, and a loss of purpose and connection to meaningful work are becoming the norm, not the exception. Within the Agile community, we’re grappling with the realization that many of the practices and mindsets that once set us apart are now seen as basic “table stakes.” The expertise that used to matter so much is expected everywhere, often in a watered-down form. The market doesn’t value these skills in the same way, and many of us are wrestling with what comes next. Do we keep conforming to systems that don’t value us, or do we find new spaces to apply (and expand) the Agile mindset? I’m challenging our loyalty to institutions that don’t reciprocate, and asking you to imagine where Agile might bring real impact outside the safe confines of big corporate IT. We can ditch the Corporate Agile, and take our skills and learning into sectors and settings where its spirit can thrive again, and where we as practitioners can rediscover genuine meaning and pride in our work. **CHECK OUT ALL MY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HERE:** https://learning.fusechamber.com **ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLING – Now Live!** The most coveted communications skill – now at your fingertips! https://learning.fusechamber.com/storytelling **JOIN THE FORGE*** New cohort for Fall 2024!  Email for more information: contact@badassagile.com **BREAK FREE OF CORPORATE AGILE!!*** Download my FREE Guide and learn how to shift from roles and process and use your agile skills in new and exciting ways! https://learning.fusechamber.com/future-of-agile-signup We’re also on YouTube! Follow the podcast, enjoy some panel/guest commentary, and get some quick tips and guidance from me: https://www.youtube.com/c/BadassAgile ****** Follow The LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/badass-agile ****** Our mission is to create an elite tribe of leaders who focus on who they need to become in order to lead and inspire, and to be the best agile podcast and resource for effective mindset and leadership game. Contact us (contact@badassagile.com) for elite-level performance and agile coaching, speaking engagements, team-level and executive mindset/agile training, and licensing options for modern, high-impact, bite-sized learning and educational content.