The Slow Road to Agile

Organization change resembles the story of Sisyphus.  As punishment for cheating the god of the underworld Hades, Sisyphus was doomed to spend eternity rolling a heavy boulder up a hill.  It would move back to the bottom when he brought it to the top.  The futility of the effort was the punishment the ancient gods inflicted upon Sisyphus.  Each day, as an agile professional, you struggle with similar challenges.  The stone gets further up the hill, and an executive or vendor will knock it down for spiteful or selfish reasons.  It is frustrating.  Today, I want to discuss why the struggle is worth the effort. 

It is easy to get discouraged when leading organizational change.  It is easy leading a crowd of people who are enthusiastic and committed.  The hard work comes when you have to motivate others to set aside their selfish needs for the greater good of others.  Cultural inertia will always be an obstacle to progress.  Still, the biggest challenge is the profound feeling of loneliness that comes with putting yourself in front of others who are doubtful of your mission. 

Agile began when a group of hard-working and committed people got together to point out that traditional approaches to work were not working.  These people created the Agile Manifesto and principles.  Since then, the agile reformation has become inclusive of each nationality on the planet.  Women are some of the most respected proponents of the approaches agile uses.  Finally, agile has earned the respect of executives and business people because it delivers more value to customers.  It is a slow road of progress. 

The industrial revolution and modern corporations have only existed for two hundred years.  The agile reformation has only lived for twenty, and businesses have come around to the values and principles of agile.  My work and countless others are starting to make a difference.  It feels good to be part of a social movement like that.  

As an agile coach or scrum master, it is essential to look at the progress made over the last twenty years.  Businesses are beginning to understand the old ways of operation are hurting profitability and customer satisfaction.  This realization points them toward people like myself to help show them a better way.  I can't think of a better calling for one's career and life.  The struggle is worth the effort.  

Thanks for following the blog.  I look forward to more writing when I return.  We will be taking time off next week for a vacation with the family.  

Until next time and have a happy Independence Day.