The Road to Damascus and Agile

Enjoy this holiday weekend.

Each day millions of people go to work.  A person spends a third of their lives working to provide for themselves and their families.  In the modern economy, it means being adaptable and finding value in any situation.  It is challenging and filled with anxiety because, at any moment, forces outside our control could threaten our livelihoods.  With the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we should reflect on work and how it should be. 

I became a member of the agile reformation over ten years ago when I discovered agile could be a better way to work.  I was tired of the drudgery of a project which had no payoff.  Technology leadership exhibited the worse traits of authoritarian management, and your best was never good enough.  I felt something had to change.  Since that “road to Damascus,” moment, I have devoted myself to the agile movement.

The manifesto has four simple values and twelve principles.  Professionals have used this tool to help make work better and more humane.  Now we understand how to eliminate waste, deliver value, and improve quality without being callous or working people to death.  Along the way, I have grown exponentially and met plenty of great fellow travelers. 

As we settle in for a long weekend, take some time to relax and spend time with the people you love.  We have a global economy to rebuild and a business community to reform.  We need to put people back to work, and I look forward to being with you during the journey.  

Until next time and have a happy Memorial Day Weekend.