On Agile Values
I’m drawn to philosophy, specifically moral philosophy. I like to consider at length what it means to live right and to live well. So Agile gradually garnered my attention. Once I finally drew back the curtain of practices, principles, and frameworks, a set of recognizable values came into view. The people I meet who are hard at work continuously improving both themselves and their workplaces in the name of Agility and loving the challenge give me hope that Agile is what it claims to be at its core.
After several years in the software industry, I came to believe that one can live values through their work just as much as through their personal life, and the congruence of each was necessary. A dishonest person at the office is a dishonest person at home, but the corollary is true as well. Early in my career, I became intentional about my desire to find a place that did not fear honesty and treated people like people. I’ve had mixed success.
My last team was my best team, my most Agile team. Yet, unfortunately, that microcosm sat in the belly of yet another mediocre company, ultimately preventing us from achieving our full potential. So here I find myself thinking of all the ways I can create that level of trust, competence, collaboration, openness, and passion yet again; Not only for my team, but for other teams as well.