The Agile Coach Podcast

In this episode of The Agile Academy Podcast, we sit down with Eden Marco, a Google Customer Engineer specializing in generative AI and large language models (LLMs). Eden shares his fascinating journey from software engineering and cybersecurity to working with cutting-edge AI technologies like Gemini.     We explore how generative AI is reshaping industries by lowering barriers to entry, enabling non-technical users to create innovative solutions. Eden also dives into practical applications of LLMs, advanced prompting techniques, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and the role of vector databases.     Key Takeaways: Generative AI vs. Traditional AI: How generative models differ from classical machine learning and why they’re game-changing. LLMs Demystified: A deep dive into how large language models work under the hood and their practical applications. Prompt Engineering: The art of crafting effective prompts to optimize AI outputs. RAG Systems: How retrieval-augmented generation bridges the gap between static training data and real-time information needs. Vector Databases: Their role in indexing and retrieving relevant information for AI systems. AI-Powered Product Management: How tools like Figma integrations and code-generation platforms are empowering product managers to prototype and build without coding skills. Fine-Tuning Models: When fine-tuning an LLM makes sense versus leveraging advanced prompting techniques.   Connect with Eden Marco: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eden-marco/   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Eden & his background in cybersecurity and generative AI 02:00 - Generative AI vs. traditional machine learning: Key differences 05:00 - How LLMs work: Breaking down the magic behind ChatGPT and Gemini 10:00 - Practical applications of LLMs for product managers 15:00 - Advanced prompting techniques: Few-shot prompting & chain-of-thought prompting 20:00 - Understanding RAG systems and their use cases in intelligent chatbots 25:00 - Vector databases explained: How they enable efficient data retrieval for AI systems 30:00 - Fine-tuning vs. prompt engineering: When to choose each approach 35:00 - Building AI-powered products as a non-technical product manager 40:00 - The future of work with generative AI: Opportunities and challenges  

In this episode of The Agile Academy Podcast, Diego Granados joins Vivek to talk honestly about what it is really like to build AI products at companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Google, and why this moment in AI is such a big deal for product people. Diego shares how he went from having no technical background to leading AI products, and how that journey led him to co author The AI Product Playbook.​ Diego and Vivek dig into the fears many product managers, business analysts, and product owners have about being replaced by AI, and reframe AI as a tool that multiplies your impact rather than eliminates your role. They walk through concrete examples of how AI can supercharge analysis, strategy, and communication, and why the product managers who know how to use these tools will outpace those who ignore them.​ Key Takeaways What AI product managers really do Diego breaks down three paths in AI product management: AI enhanced PM, AI experience PM, and AI builder PM and what each role actually owns day to day. You learn how to think about your own career path depending on your strengths and interests.​ Will AI replace product roles Instead of worrying about AI taking jobs, Diego shows how AI is becoming the new Excel, a tool that makes great product managers, analysts, and leaders 10 times more effective if they learn to use it. The real risk is refusing to adapt while others around you do.​ How to become an AI savvy PM Diego shares a practical roadmap for someone starting as a business analyst, project manager, or junior PM who wants to move into AI product work without trying to make one giant leap. He explains how to stack experience, choose the right roles, and build genuine AI fluency along the way.​ Building and shipping AI features The conversation goes deep on how AI changes the product development lifecycle, from data and guardrails to evaluation and post launch monitoring. Diego explains why working with probabilistic systems like LLMs demands a different mindset than traditional deterministic software.​ Using AI to 10x your productivity Diego walks through how he personally uses tools like Gemini to draft strategy docs, process customer feedback, and prioritize roadmaps, and how anyone can run similar workflows with their own tools of choice. The focus is on finding the parts of your job that consume the most time and letting AI handle the heavy lifting.​ Career and learning mindset From using AI to evaluate your resume against job descriptions to stress testing your interview answers, Diego shares ways to turn AI into a career coach. He also talks about formal education, risk taking, and why degrees can open doors but do not define your ceiling as a product manager.​ Connect With Diego LinkedIn Diego Granados: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegogranadosh/ Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome and Diego’s background in AI and product management​ 03:00 - Will AI replace PMs, BAs, and product owners or make them stronger​ 06:00 - Industry trends gen AI hype, guardrails, and where startups can still win​ 08:00 - Why Diego wrote The AI Product Playbook and who it is really for​ 12:00 - The three AI PM paths AI experience, AI builder, and AI enhanced​ 17:00 - How much AI knowledge do you actually need as a PM​ 20:00 - A realistic multi step path into AI product management​ 21:00 - How AI changes product development from data to evaluations​ 26:00 - Mindset and skills of effective AI product managers​ 28:00 - Real examples of using AI to 10x productivity in PM workflows​ 34:00 - Using AI to plan your growth, promotions, and job search​ 37:00 - Do you really need a college degree to be a successful PM​ 39:00 - Why Diego fell in love with AI product management and predicting the future​ 41:00 - Final thoughts on where AI and product careers are headed​ If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow PM, BA, or aspiring product leader who is trying to figure out their next step in the age of AI.

In this special episode, we bring together inspiring voices from the Agile Academy alumni community. Our guests: Yari, Tyrone, Lehar, David, and Birtni, share their candid journeys into agile roles, offering practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and encouragement for anyone navigating a career transition into tech or product management.   Key Topics & Insights 1. The Reality of the Job Search: Persistence, Patience, and Rejection Each guest describes a journey marked by multiple interviews, rejections, and moments of doubt, but emphasizes the importance of perseverance and self-belief. Rejection is reframed as a learning opportunity, every interview, even unsuccessful ones, helps refine answers and builds confidence for the next round. “You are going to get out what you put in,” Tyrone notes, highlighting the need for consistent effort and a growth mindset. 2. Leveraging Networks and Mentorship Alumni stress the value of leaning into mentors and the Agile Academy community for support, advice, and encouragement. Building connections, both within the cohort and externally (e.g., reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn), significantly increases the chance of landing interviews and offers. Organizing job search efforts, using spreadsheets to track applications and recruiter contacts, helps maintain momentum and clarity. 3. Transitioning from Non-Tech Backgrounds Several guests, including Birtni and Lehar, share how they moved from fields like teaching, healthcare, and running a bakery into agile roles, proving that a tech background isn’t a prerequisite for success. Honesty about knowledge gaps is encouraged; being upfront in interviews about what you don’t know can build credibility and shows a willingness to learn. 4. Balancing Life, Work, and Learning Many alumni juggled full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and the demands of the Agile Academy program. Practical tips include maintaining routines for mental health (like exercise), staying organized, and celebrating small wins to stay motivated. Yari and David both describe the importance of daily discipline and focusing on what’s in their control, especially during challenging personal circumstances. 5. Mindset Shifts: From Self-Doubt to Confidence The transition to agile roles is as much about personal growth as acquiring technical skills. Alumni describe how the program helped them articulate their strengths, recognize transferable skills, and develop the confidence to advocate for themselves in interviews. “If somebody can, why can’t I?” Lehar reflects, capturing the spirit of resilience and self-empowerment. 6. Practical Job Search Strategies Proactive outreach to recruiters and leveraging LinkedIn are cited as game-changers. Alumni recommend preparing a strong list of questions for interviews and continuously updating a bank of challenging questions to practice. Staying active in the alumni network and sharing interview experiences helps everyone prepare and improve together. 7. The Power of Community and Giving Back Many guests express a desire to give back to the Agile Academy community, mentoring others just as they were supported. The sense of belonging and shared struggle is a recurring theme—no one is alone on this journey.   Key Takeaways Persistence Pays Off: Stay consistent, keep learning from each experience, and don’t let rejection define your journey. Lean Into Your Network: Mentors, peers, and alumni are invaluable resources—ask for help and share knowledge. Own Your Story: Non-traditional backgrounds are assets. Be honest about what you know and eager to learn what you don’t. Stay Organized: Track your applications, recruiter contacts, and interview questions to maximize your job search effectiveness. Prioritize Wellbeing: Balance the grind with activities that recharge you—mental resilience is key. Give Back: As you progress, support others in the community. Success is sweeter when shared.   Timestamps 00:00 – Introductions & guest backgrounds (Yari, Tyrone, Lehar, David, Birtni) 03:00 – Navigating job offers, rejections, and building confidence (Tyrone) 08:00 – Organizing the job search and leveraging connections 12:00 – Transitioning from non-tech roles and overcoming self-doubt (Birtni, Lehar) 18:00 – Coping with layoffs, resilience, and staying positive (Birtni) 22:00 – Mindset shifts: From “I can’t” to “I did” (Lehar) 24:00 – The impact of Agile Academy’s support and resources (Yari) 27:00 – Balancing family, work, and career change (David) 32:00 – Practical job search strategies and continuous improvement 35:00 – The importance of community and giving back

Join us for a heartfelt conversation on The Agile Coach Podcast, where Pabitra sits down with Tyrone Dollison Jr, a true example of resilience and transformation. Tyrone’s story is anything but linear. He’s worn many hats, from working in education and finance to diving deep into analytics, and eventually making his mark as a product leader in tech. Along the way, he’s faced self-doubt, career pivots, and the challenge of breaking into a new industry without a traditional background.In this episode, Tyrone opens up about the real struggles and wins that shaped his journey. He shares how reframing his identity, from “finance guy” to “tech professional” was a game-changer, and why knowing your own story inside out is the secret sauce for nailing interviews.  What You’ll Learn:The mindset shift that helped Tyrone see himself as a tech professional—and why that matters more than your resumeHow to prepare for interviews so you can confidently talk about your experience (and not sound like a robot)Building real connections with recruiters and why those relationships can open unexpected doorsThe art of storytelling in interviews, using the STAR method, and how to share both real and hypothetical stories to show your thinkingWhat to do when you don’t know the answer to a question (hint: honesty and curiosity go a long way)Why helping others in your network can come back to help you in surprising waysHow to treat interviews as a two-way street, gathering data about companies and making sure they’re the right fit for you If you enjoy this episode, we’d love for you to rate, review, and share it with your friends!

In this special episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, we bring together four inspiring guests: Sid Sachdeva, Paulo Carini, Haley Prestwood, and Darian Riley, each sharing their unique path into the tech industry.  From international students navigating visa challenges to career changers leveraging non-technical backgrounds, this episode is packed with practical advice, candid reflections, and actionable strategies for anyone aspiring to break into tech roles like Product Manager, Scrum Master, or Agile Coach. Key Topics & Insights1. Overcoming Barriers as International StudentsSid Sachdeva and Paulo Carini recount their experiences moving to the U.S. for education, facing uncertainties, and navigating the additional hurdles of visa sponsorship and limited interview opportunities.They emphasize the importance of persistence, networking, and standing out by being resourceful and indispensable to their teams.2. Leveraging Non-Traditional BackgroundsHaley Prestwood and Darian Riley highlight how skills from unrelated fields, such as philosophy, politics, law, and even Division I basketball coaching, can translate into tech roles.Both stress the value of soft skills: communication, facilitation, and leadership, which are often more critical than technical expertise for roles like Scrum Master and Product Manager.  3. The Power of Mentorship and CommunityAll guests credit mentorship, peer support, and structured bootcamps (like the Agile Coach Program) as pivotal in their transitions.Mock interviews, feedback from experienced practitioners, and ongoing community support helped them build confidence and refine their approach to job applications and interviews.4. Mindset Shifts and Dealing with Imposter SyndromeHaley and Sid discuss the emotional journey, moving from self-doubt and imposter syndrome to confidence and self-advocacy.They encourage listeners to "lean into discomfort," ask questions, and recognize that growth happens outside the comfort zone.5. Practical Job Search StrategiesThe guests share actionable tactics: rigorous interview prep, building detailed Q&A documents, practicing with mentors, and making themselves available for opportunities at any time.Paulo and Sid note the importance of being proactive, applying to many positions, and not being discouraged by rejections, especially as international candidates.6. Transitioning and Thriving in Tech RolesOnce in their roles, guests focused on continuous learning, building relationships with team members, and seeking feedback.Darian Riley, now a senior agile leader, describes how coaching and servant leadership skills from sports directly informed his agile practice, team empowerment, and ability to drive business value.7. Embracing Remote Work and FlexibilityHaley and Paulo reflect on the benefits and adjustments of remote work, including the freedom to travel and the need for self-discipline and asynchronous communication.8. The Role of AI and Continuous UpskillingThe panel discusses how AI tools are transforming learning and productivity, making it easier to upskill and adapt to new challenges in tech. KEY TAKEAWAYS:Persistence Pays Off: Breaking into tech, especially as an international student or career changer, requires resilience, relentless application, and a willingness to stand out.Soft Skills Matter: Communication, leadership, and adaptability often outweigh technical skills, especially in agile roles.Mentorship Accelerates Growth: Seek out mentors, practice interviews, and leverage community resources.Mindset is Everything: Overcoming self-doubt and embracing discomfort are crucial for growth.Be Proactive and Prepared: Prepare extensively for interviews, make yourself available, and treat every opportunity as potentially life-changing.Continuous Learning: Invest in your own growth, leverage AI tools, and never stop improving.

In this special episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, leading voices in product ownership and agile transformation: Joe Justice, Richard Seroter, Mark Shead, Sheetal Rajpal, and Jeff Bubolz, share their hard-won lessons from building and scaling products at organizations like Tesla, Google, Amazon, LendingTree, and more. Their experiences span hardware and software, startups and global enterprises, and regulated industries, offering a comprehensive look at what it truly means to be an effective product owner today.Key Product Ownership Insights:Joe Justice (Agile Business Institute, ex-Tesla, WikiSpeed)Agility as Innovation Engine: Agility is about making change cheaper, faster, and less emotionally taxing. At Tesla, the “Justice Board” (a cascading chain of KPIs) aligns everyone to the mission, empowering any contributor to propose measurable experiments that advance the master plan12.Embedded Leadership: Leaders, including product owners, should be deeply involved with teams—removing barriers, modeling commitment, and sharing ownership of outcomes.Mob Programming for Ownership: High-performing teams share business context and technical knowledge through practices like mob programming, making the product owner an integral, accessible part of the team rather than a distant decision-maker.Richard Seroter (Google Cloud)The PO as Value Translator: The product owner is not a distant spec-writer but an “intense stakeholder”—embedded with engineers, translating customer needs into actionable stories, and prioritizing with courage and clarity.Continuous Feedback & Data-Driven Decisions: Modern product teams thrive on small batch delivery and rapid feedback. Product owners must be adept at interpreting telemetry and customer data to inform priorities and validate outcomes quickly.Role Fluidity: In some organizations, the distinction between product owner and product manager blurs, but the core remains: maximizing value by being close to both customers and the delivery team, reducing friction between vision and execution.Mark Shead (Xeric Corporation)Principles Over Labels: True agility is about living agile values and principles, not just adopting practices or titles. Teams and product owners must align decisions to core agile principles, not just mimic successful teams elsewhere.Embedded Product Owners: The most effective product owners are those who use the product themselves and are continuously available to the team—answering questions, clarifying needs, and making real-time decisions.Backlog as a Living Tool: Product owners must ruthlessly prioritize, avoid bloated backlogs, and focus on delivering customer value, not just accumulating requests or technical debt.Sheetal Rajpal (Head of Product; ex-Amazon, LendingTree)Customer-Centricity & Data: Product owners must “walk in the customer’s shoes,” using data and direct observation to continuously improve user experience and product outcomes.Strategic Product Thinking: At Amazon, product leaders own both strategy and execution—articulating a clear vision, defining decision-making tenets, and using the “working backwards” process to align teams around customer-centric outcomes.Building Data-Driven Products: Making products data-driven requires clarity on objectives, a deep understanding of data quality, and explicit constraints—especially when leveraging AI or machine learning.Jeff Bubolz (Organizational Agility Advisor, Co-Founder)Focus & Trade-Offs: The essence of product ownership is making tough trade-offs and saying “no” as often as “yes.” A focused, strategic backlog is more valuable than a frantic, overloaded one16.Scaling Without Overhead: When scaling, avoid creating layers of product owners and managers that add friction. Instead, form autonomous, cross-functional teams aligned to real products and outcomes.The Three Vs: Product owners should set Vision, maximize Value, and Validate outcomes—prioritizing learning and continuous improvement over rigid plans.Practical Advice for Product OwnersBe Embedded: The best product owners are part of the team’s daily life, not just attending ceremonies or writing requirements. They are accessible, knowledgeable, and invested in both the product and the people.Prioritize Ruthlessly: Every “yes” to a backlog item is a “no” to something else. Product owners must be strategic, focusing on what delivers the most value and aligns with the product vision.Align on Principles: Start with shared understanding of agile principles and values, then select practices that support those principles in your context.Use Data Effectively: Leverage real-time data and customer feedback to inform decisions, validate outcomes, and iterate quickly.Enable Team Autonomy: Empower teams to solve problems, avoid micromanagement, and foster a culture of continuous learning and experimentation.Strategic Scaling: When scaling, ensure teams remain cross-functional and outcome-oriented, not siloed by function or weighed down by management layers.Quotes from the Episode“Agility is making change cheaper in time and money, and also in emotional willpower—making it less draining or even more fun. That is the game.” — Joe Justice“A product owner is not an arm’s length participant. You should be pairing with engineers, getting rapid feedback, and translating customer needs into value.” — Richard Seroter“The most effective product owners I’ve ever worked with were embedded with the team, using the software daily, and always available to help.”— Mark Shead“At Amazon, PMs own both strategy and execution—articulating vision, setting decision-making tenets, and working backwards from the customer.” — Sheetal Rajpal“The essence of product ownership is making tough trade-offs and saying no as often as yes. Focused, strategic backlogs unlock value.” — Jeff Bubolz

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, host Vivek Khattri is joined by Richard Seroter, Chief Evangelist at Google Cloud and a returning guest, for a candid conversation about the future of product management and AI. Richard shares his journey from leading outbound product management teams to driving developer relations at Google, offering an insider’s perspective on Google Cloud’s AI strategy and what it means for product leaders, teams, and organizations.Richard unpacks how Google’s unique AI stack-from foundational research and custom TPUs to platforms like Vertex and Gemini-powered assistants-is shaping the next generation of products. The discussion dives deep into how AI is transforming the role of product managers and product owners, and why adaptability, curiosity, and discipline are more critical than ever.Key TakeawaysGoogle’s AI Stack: More Than HypeGoogle’s end-to-end AI stack spans research, custom hardware (TPUs), foundational models (like Gemini), platforms (Vertex), and user-facing tools that power everything from Gmail to code assistants.The focus: Make AI widely useful and integrated-not just a novelty.Product Management in the Age of AIAI accelerates landscape analysis, market research, and prototyping-what once took weeks can now happen in minutes.Product managers must ruthlessly prioritize, know when to quit, and focus on high-impact opportunities-even at large companies like Google.Timeless Skills for Modern PMsHumility, curiosity, and discipline remain essential. The best PMs lead through influence, not authority, and are relentless about customer empathy.“Customer zero” mindset: Use your own product to build insight and credibility.AI Fluency for TeamsBecoming “AI first” starts with being “AI ready.” Upskill every team member, from executive assistants to general managers, in foundational AI concepts and tools.Build comfort and reduce anxiety by encouraging experimentation and bottom-up idea generation.Prototyping and CommunicationThe days of 50-page specs are fading. Use AI tools to create prototypes, videos, and visual artifacts-even if you don’t code-to communicate ideas and inspire teams.Product owners and managers must own the translation from concept to working representation.Building Trust and Responsible AIAvoid the “black box” trap: Understand how LLMs fit into architectures, and design for transparency, real-time updates, and responsible evaluation.Regularly test and update systems as models evolve to maintain quality and trust.Agents and Agent PlatformsAgents are redefining automation and business processes. Google’s Agent Space and development kits enable low-code/no-code agent creation and orchestration.Product leaders should familiarize themselves with agent frameworks to unlock new possibilities for users and businesses.Lead the ChangeAI isn’t just about productivity-it’s about doing better, more fulfilling work at higher quality and impact.Don’t wait for AI to reshape your role. Proactively lead your career and organization through this transformation.Connect with Richard Seroter:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seroter/Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Richard’s journey and evolving role at Google Cloud02:00 – Google’s AI stack: From research to real-world applications05:00 – Product strategy: Where PMs add value in an AI-driven world10:00 – Prioritization, opportunity cost, and ruthless focus at scale12:00 – Timeless PM skills: Humility, curiosity, and discipline16:00 – AI fluency: Upskilling teams and building readiness20:00 – Prototyping and communication: New tools for product owners24:00 – AI’s impact on engineering productivity and team workflows28:00 – Actionable steps for AI-ready teams: Artifacts, documentation, and collaboration32:00 – Tools, research, and continuous customer feedback at Google35:00 – Misconceptions and best practices in building AI products40:00 – Scoping MVPs and defining requirements for AI-powered features42:00 – Agents and agent platforms: The next frontier in automation46:00 – The future of work: Leading with AI, not just adapting to it48:00 – Closing thoughts: Be the driver of change, not the passenger

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, we bring together a powerhouse panel of product management leaders: Diego Granados, Richard Seroter, Rajsi Rana, Neha Satya, and Parth Detroja. Each guest shares their unique journey into product management, offering firsthand perspectives from top companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Google, and beyond.Our conversation explores how backgrounds in healthcare, finance, and data analytics can lead to thriving PM careers, emphasizing that a technical degree is not a prerequisite for success. The guests break down the core skills needed-critical thinking, emotional intelligence, cross-functional collaboration-and provide actionable advice for anyone aspiring to break into or advance within product management.We also discuss the differences between PM roles at startups versus large enterprises, the evolving relationship between product managers and product owners, and how to lead through influence rather than authority. The episode is packed with practical strategies for interviews, panel preparation, and building daily habits that set PMs apart in a competitive field. Featured Guests:Diego GranadosRichard SeroterRajsi RanaNeha Satya Parth Detroja Key Takeaways:Diverse Backgrounds: Success in product management is possible from non-traditional backgrounds-technical degrees are helpful but not required.Foundational Skills: Critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cross-functional teamwork are essential.Dealing with Ambiguity: PMs must drive clarity and connect customer needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility.Influence Over Authority: Product managers lead through storytelling, data, and consensus-not direct authority.Customer Focus: The best PMs relentlessly advocate for the customer at every product stage.Role Clarity: The distinction between product manager and product owner varies by company, but both require close collaboration with engineering and stakeholders.Interviewing & Preparation: Build rapport with recruiters, use relevant buzzwords, tailor your story, and research your interview panel.Continuous Improvement: Treat product management and interviewing as skills to be honed daily-write, practice, and seek feedback. Timestamps00:00 – Introduction: Meet the guests and their journeys  02:00 – Do you need a technical background? Myths debunked  05:00 – What does a product manager really do?  08:00 – Core skills: Ambiguity, cross-functional work, and influence  12:00 – Defining your PM role and career growth  15:00 – Product owner vs. product manager: Real-world perspectives  20:00 – Leading through influence, not authority  24:00 – Building strong partnerships with engineering  26:00 – Interview tips: Recruiter calls and panel strategies  30:00 – Daily habits for PM success and continuous learning  32:00 – Final thoughts: Growth mindset and resilience in the PM journey

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, hosts Vivek and Pabitra sit down with Brian Golod, an award-winning resume writer, LinkedIn influencer, and career strategist who has helped thousands of professionals land interviews and job offers. With over 200,000 followers on LinkedIn and a resume template downloaded over 100,000 times, Brian shares his unique journey from software developer and product owner to becoming a sought-after mentor for senior tech professionals and executives.Brian unpacks the real reasons job seekers struggle to land interviews, why a resume alone isn’t enough, and how data-driven strategies, networking, and personal branding can transform your job search. He dives deep into resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and interview techniques, offering actionable advice for anyone looking to stand out and secure multiple job offers. KEY TAKEAWAYS:Beyond the Resume: Landing interviews requires more than just a well-written resume. Social profiles, networking, and a proactive application strategy are equally important.Data-Driven Approach: Build your resume based on current market needs by analyzing multiple job postings for your target role and identifying common keywords and requirements.One Story, One Resume: Use a single, well-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile for your target role to avoid red flags and confusion.Apply Fast, Apply Smart: Speed matters—apply quickly to new postings and avoid the “easy apply” trap by reaching out directly to hiring managers and recruiters.Target the Sweet Spot: Apply for roles where you meet 60–80% of the qualifications to ensure growth and avoid stagnation.Interview Mindset: If you’re brought in for an interview, the employer already sees value in you. Focus on building rapport, demonstrating curiosity, and thinking out loud when faced with unknowns.Networking That Works: Stand out by engaging meaningfully with content creators and professionals on LinkedIn—give value before asking for help.Compensation Strategy: Never disclose your salary expectations early. Let employers make the first offer to maximize your negotiating position.Plain Text Wins: Use a simple, plain-text resume format with bullet points—avoid fancy templates that can’t be read by applicant tracking systems (ATS).Leave a Lasting Impression: Success in interviews and networking is about the experience you create for others—be memorable, authentic, and valuable.Connect with Brian Golod:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangolod/

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Gross, CEO of AI Workforce Alliance and recognized by Forbes as the highest-paid AI consultant in the market. Ashley shares her remarkable journey from a decade-long career in marketing to becoming a leading AI educator and consultant, specializing in the implementation of AI agents and generative AI in business.Ashley discusses how her need to balance motherhood with a demanding career led her to explore AI tools, ultimately transforming her workflow and delivering outsized results for her organization. She breaks down the fundamentals of AI and AI agents in plain language, explains the difference between automation and agentic workflows, and highlights how businesses, especially project managers, business analysts, and enterprise leaders can leverage AI agents to drive efficiency, boost collaboration, and solve real business problems.We explore the cultural and operational challenges of AI adoption in enterprise settings, including data privacy, change management, and the importance of cross-functional enablement. Ashley also provides a behind-the-scenes look at her consulting process, from identifying bottlenecks in customer journeys to building and scaling agentic workflows that deliver measurable ROI. She shares practical advice for aspiring professionals looking to future-proof their careers in the age of AI, emphasizing experimentation, continuous learning, and the value of people skills.Key Takeaways:Ashley’s Journey: How a marketer condensed her workweek using AI, leading to a $25M pipeline overachievement in just three months1.AI vs. Automation: Understanding the distinction between rule-based automations and autonomous AI agents, and why it matters for business processes1.Real-World Impact: How AI agents can autonomously manage project workflows, from transcribing calls to creating actionable tasks in tools like Asana1.Enterprise Adoption: Insights into how even risk-averse industries like healthcare and government are embracing AI, and the cultural shifts required for successful implementation1.Data Security & Regulation: Best practices for vetting AI vendors, ensuring compliance, and using AI to audit privacy policies1.Implementation Blueprint: Ashley’s approach to identifying business problems, piloting agentic workflows, and scaling solutions across organizations with robust documentation and enablement plans1.Measuring ROI: A framework for tracking both quantitative and qualitative outcomes during AI pilot projects and organization-wide rollouts1.Future of AI Roles: Predictions about emerging roles like “marketing engineer” and the importance of domain expertise and adaptability in the evolving AI landscape1.Career Advice: Why curiosity, intentional tool optimization, and people skills are critical for anyone looking to build a resilient career in AI-driven business environments1.Connect with Ashley:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theashleygross/Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Ashley Gross & her background02:00 – How Ashley condensed her workweek with AI05:00 – AI vs. automation: What’s the difference?10:00 – AI agents in project management: Real-world examples13:00 – Enterprise adoption: Culture, excitement, and barriers15:00 – Data privacy, regulation, and vendor selection18:00 – Ashley’s consulting process: From problem to agentic workflow21:00 – Case study: Accelerating sales cycles with AI agents24:00 – Scaling agentic workflows: Documentation & enablement27:00 – Measuring ROI: Quantitative and qualitative outcomes29:00 – The future of AI roles and skills30:00 – Career advice for aspiring AI professionals32:00 – Ashley’s educational programs and closing thoughtsIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with your network!

In this episode, Vivek sat down with Marcelo, a product leader with over 25 years of experience in technology, including key roles at Microsoft and Amazon. Marcelo shares insights on building innovative products, the importance of product vision and strategy, and his PRFAQ framework, a method used at Amazon to align teams, validate ideas, and drive successful product development.They also discuss how new and aspiring product managers can think strategically, set meaningful OKRs, and develop the right mindset for success.  Whether you’re a startup founder or part of a large-scale enterprise, this conversation will leave you with actionable takeaways on how to structure your product thinking for impact. Key Takeaways:✅ The PRFAQ Framework: Amazon’s structured approach to idea validation and strategic product development.✅ How writing narratives instead of presentations fosters better decision-making.✅ The difference between product vision and strategy—and why both are essential.✅ The role of customer-centric thinking in creating successful products.✅ How new product managers can quickly ramp up and add value to their teams.✅ Best practices for setting OKRs and tracking meaningful product metrics.✅ Marcelo’s personal journey from engineering to product leadership and the lessons he learned along the way. Connect and learn more about Marcelo Calbucci. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelocalbucci/Resources & Links:📖 Marcelo’s Book on the PRFAQ Framework: https://www.theprfaq.com/📄 Example PRFAQ Templates: https://www.theprfaq.com/examples📧 Marcelo’s Website: https://calbucci.com/

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, we sit down with Norman Rodriguez, a seasoned sales leader who shares his inspiring journey from political campaigns and B2C sales to thriving as an SDR (Sales Development Representative) at Google and eventually founding his own company. Norman breaks down the nuances of the SDR role, offering practical advice for anyone looking to transition into high-paying B2B sales positions.We explore the foundational skills needed to succeed in sales, the differences between B2C and B2B sales, and how resilience, energy, and coachability can set you apart in interviews. He also shares his insights on leveraging tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, crafting compelling cold emails, and building long-term relationships with clients.Key Takeaways:What is an SDR? Understanding the role and why it’s crucial for businesses.B2C vs. B2B Sales: Contrasting high-pressure commission-only roles with salaried SDR positions.Norman’s Journey: How he landed an SDR role at Google without a college degree and used grit to succeed.Prospecting Basics: Researching ideal client profiles (ICPs) and buyer personas effectively.Outreach Techniques: Writing cold emails that stand out and optimizing subject lines for mobile readability.Qualifying Leads: Asking the right questions to ensure meetings are valuable for both parties.Mindset for Success: Why energy, resilience, and a learner’s mindset are key for landing your first SDR job.Connect with Norman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norman-rodriguez/Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Norman & his background02:00 - What is an SDR? Breaking down the role05:00 - Transitioning from B2C to B2B sales10:00 - Norman’s experience as an SDR at Google15:00 - Prospecting basics: Ideal client profiles & buyer personas20:00 - Cold emailing tips: Subject lines & mobile optimization25:00 - Qualifying leads effectively30:00 - Mindset for success: Energy & coachability in interviews40:00 - Tools for SDRs: LinkedIn Sales Navigator, LeadIQ, ZoomInfo50:00 - Final thoughts & Norman’s advice for aspiring SDRsIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with your network!

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, we sit down with Darian Riley, a former Division I basketball coach turned agile leader, who shares his inspiring journey from the sports world to guiding teams in major organizations. Darian opens up about how his coaching background naturally translated into agile leadership, emphasizing servant leadership, team building, and fostering high-performing, self-organizing teams.They dive deep into topics like transitioning careers, empowering teams to deliver business value without feeling overwhelmed, and navigating the challenges of scaling agile practices across organizations. Darian also shares his insights on leveraging AI in agile workflows and how Scrum Masters can evolve their roles to contribute to product strategy and organizational innovation.Key Takeaways:Darian’s Transition from Coaching Basketball to Agile Leadership: How coaching skills like mentoring and team building naturally transferred to agile practices.Empowering Teams: Strategies for helping teams focus on business value while avoiding overwhelm.Upskilling Through Pair Programming: How senior team members can mentor others effectively.AI in Agile: Practical ways to integrate AI into agile workflows for efficiency and collaboration.Scrum Master Evolution: Moving beyond facilitation to contribute to product strategy and innovation.Creating Wins: Small shifts like transitioning from Scrum to Kanban for better team alignment.Advice for New Agile Leaders: Building relationships through one-on-ones and understanding the technical and human sides of teamwork. Connect with Darian:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darian-riley-b1915349/ Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Darian & his background02:00 - Transitioning from coaching basketball to agile leadership05:00 - Empowering teams to focus on business value without overwhelm10:00 - Pair programming and strategies for upskilling teams15:00 - Coaching teams on ownership and continuous improvement20:00 - Leveraging AI in agile workflows for efficiency25:00 - Aligning with leadership goals as a Scrum Master30:00 - Evolving the Scrum Master role to influence product strategy40:00 - Creating wins through small shifts in team practices50:00 - Final thoughts & Darian’s reflections on his career journey If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with your network!

Sid’s transition from aerospace engineering to product management and the pivotal moments that shaped his career.The challenges international students face in the job market and Sid’s strategies for overcoming them.The importance of networking, soft skills, and executive presence in breaking into product roles.How Sid learned to work with software engineers, stakeholders, and executives without a technical coding background.Key takeaways on job hunting, interview prep, and making an impact in the corporate world. Key Quotes from Sid Sachdeva:“Being proactive is key. You have to start six months before everyone else to get ahead.”“It’s not about how much you know—it’s about how you show up, engage, and collaborate.”“Networking is a numbers game—keep applying, keep connecting, and don’t take rejections personally.”“Product management is like being a mini-CEO—you have to balance engineering, design, and business.”

In this episode, we talk about the steps to getting hired as a Scrum Master or Agile Coach. Adam shares his personal story and gives easy-to-follow advice on how to do well in job interviews.Main Topics Covered:1. How to Get Started in Agile Roles: Adam shares how he went from working in finance to becoming a Scrum Master and later an Agile Coach. He explains how he discovered Agile and why it made sense to him.2. Tips for Scrum Master Interviews: Adam talks about the different stages of job interviews:First Interview: How to tell your story and connect with the recruiter.Second Interview: How to prepare for more detailed conversations.Third Interview: How to understand the team and company culture.3. Personal Growth as a Way to Stand Out: Adam explains how working on personal growth, like reading self-improvement books, can help you stand out in interviews. He encourages people to talk about their personal growth in job interviews to show they are always learning.4. Coaching During Interviews: Adam shares how you can add value during interviews by coaching the interviewer. He gives examples of how he explained Agile ideas to interviewers who didn’t fully understand them.5. Do You Need a College Degree to Be a Scrum Master? Adam answers the common question about whether a college degree is needed to work in Agile. His answer? No, you don’t need a degree. What matters more is your mindset and willingness to learn.Practical Interview Tips:Share Your Agile Story: Talk about how you got into Agile and what you’ve learned.Be Yourself: Show that you’re open to learning and can fit into the company’s culture.Focus on Personal Growth: Mention books or courses that helped you grow as a person.Ask Good Questions: Use the interview to learn more about the company and role.Book Recommendations:How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen CoveyLeadership Gold by John MaxwellKey Quotes from the Episode:“If you talk about personal growth in your interviews, you will stand out from other candidates.” – Adam Miner“You don’t need a degree to succeed in Agile. It’s more about your mindset and learning.” – Adam Miner

Landing your dream job straight out of school sounds great, but there's a big hurdle to cross first: the interview. It's not just a quiz about what you know; it's more about how you're ready to grow and handle challenges. Confidence plays a big role here, but let's face it, interviews can be nerve-wracking. The key is to build up your interview confidence like you would a muscle, with the right approach and mindset. In this episode, we get into the nitty-gritty of job interviews with Neha, who's been through the wringer and come out on top. She's now a product manager and has some great insights on how to handle interviews, from the first handshake to the final questions. Neha's journey is pretty inspiring—starting off in business analytics, moving into the health tech industry, and now making waves at a company called Tree, where she's shaking up the influencer marketing world.

In this episode of The Agile Coach, host Vivek is joined back again with Adam Miner, an experienced Agile Coach with a background as a Scrum Master, to share his journey of breaking into his first Scrum Master role and transitioning into an Agile Coach role. He emphasizes the importance of personal growth and development outside of the nine-to-five job to set oneself apart in interviews. Adam also highlights the significance of understanding the company culture and team dynamics during the interview process. He advises candidates to focus on showcasing their unique experiences and perspectives to stand out from other candidates.HIGHLIGHT QUOTES"If you can speak to personal growth outside of your nine-to-five in leadership, communications, discipline, success habits, you will probably set yourself apart from eight or nine out of ten other candidates in the process.""It's very much about what you are saying that another candidate is not saying.""You do not need a degree to succeed in corporate or agile. You don't have to have a technical background."Get to know Adam and what she’s up to:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-miner-77793129/Connect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:Vivek’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkhattri/Pabitra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabitrakhanal/The Agile Coach LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc/Agile Coach Website: https://theagilecoach.com/If you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at our website https://theagilecoach.com/

In this episode of The Agile Coach, host Vivek is joined back again by Adam Miner, an experienced Agile Coach with a background as a Scrum Master. He has worked in various roles in the Agile space, including coaching and mentoring teams in Agile practices. Adam has a deep understanding of the Agile mindset and values and is skilled in facilitating change and driving organizational agility.Adam shares his experience transitioning from a Scrum Master role to an Agile Coach role. He emphasizes the importance of developing the skill of influencing people through organic trust and respect. Adam believes that the ability to influence is crucial for both Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches. He also highlights the value of understanding the Agile mindset and principles, rather than focusing solely on specific frameworks or certifications. Adam discusses the challenges of working with leadership and management teams, particularly in overcoming resistance to change. He emphasizes the need for Agile Coaches to balance their knowledge of Agile practices with strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Adam encourages new Agilists to be opportunistic and step out of their comfort zones to gain experience. He also advises seeking guidance from experienced professionals in the desired role.HIGHLIGHT QUOTES"The most effective skill in an Agile environment is the ability to influence people through organic trust and respect.""If you understand the mindset of agility and take the values and principles to heart, you can apply them to any process or situation.""It's difficult to convince leadership that changing the way they think is necessary to achieve different results.""The best coaches have a delicate balance of training and coaching, combining Agile knowledge with strong interpersonal skills.""The goal for any coach should be to scale Agile leadership and create self-organizing teams."Get to know Adam and what he’s up to:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-miner-77793129/Connect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:Vivek’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkhattri/Pabitra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabitrakhanal/The Agile Coach LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc/Agile Coach Website: https://theagilecoach.com/If you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at our website https://theagilecoach.com/

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek is joined by Abbie DeMartino, a development manager at Meijer, to share her journey from a sports coaching background to becoming a scrum master and eventually a development manager. She discusses the transferable skills she gained from her previous roles and how she applied them in the tech world. Abbie emphasizes the importance of being competitive, continuously learning, and building relationships with team members. She also provides insights into the challenges and rewards of her current role, including the need to keep up with ever-changing technology and the satisfaction of driving change and coaching others.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESWhat is it like being a scrum master and product owner - Abbie: “I think the scrum master and the product owner roles are tough. Like they're, it's a unique personality that you need. You need someone who's driven. You need someone who can handle conflict. You need someone who's able to have difficult conversations”Scrum Master vs. Leadership Role - Abbie: “As a scrum master, I always felt like I could see pain points at the team level and I didn't have any power to do anything about it per se. Now being in a leadership role, I think I can drive change here. What's impacted my team? And I don't know what other word to say besides authority, but I don't mean authority but the ability to implement some of that change has been really exciting and just seeing wins in my team, right? So they're getting out a big body of work to production that they've spent, you know, multiple sprints on and to see it through and celebrate that with them.”Get to know Abbie and what she’s up to:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbie-gortsema123/Connect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:Vivek’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkhattri/Pabitra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabitrakhanal/The Agile Coach LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc/Agile Coach Website: https://theagilecoach.com/If you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at our website https://theagilecoach.com/

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek is joined by Laurin Lukas Stahl, Head of Product at Trality, to discuss the world of product management, exploring its definition, differences from project management, and its essential role in the product development process. Laurin, a guest on the show, shares valuable insights into the skills, mindset, and structured thinking needed to become an effective product manager. The conversation also touches on the potential of AI tools like Chat GPT in assisting product managers with tasks such as generating frameworks, facilitating communication, and accelerating product development. Vivek and Laurin emphasize the importance of continuous learning and provide resources for further exploration. HIGHLIGHT QUOTESProduct Management: Delivering Products and Building Solutions - Laurin Lukas Stahl: “Product management is the idea that there is a central person within a product squad embedded in the overall idea of what the product needs, whose responsibility is finally to deliver the product, to shepherd it throughout each and every stage.”Product vs. Project Management: Understanding the Difference - Laurin Lukas Stahl: “The main difference is that projects have defined scopes or timelines, whereas products aim to continuously deliver value to users and strive for improvement.”Structured Thinking: Unlocking Effective Product Management - Laurin Lukas Stahl: “Structured thinking involves approaching problems with a clear process, using frameworks specific to the problem at hand, and communicating ideas effectively.” Get to know Laurin and what he’s up to:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurin-stahl/Connect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:VIvek’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivekkhattri/Pabitra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pabitrakhanal/The Agile Coach LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc/Agile Coach Website: https://theagilecoach.com/If you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at our website https://theagilecoach.com/

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek is joined by Jonaed Iqbal, the CEO and Founder of NoDegree.com. Jonaed talks about social media, branding, and helping people pursue roles even without a college degree.He walks us through the No Degree platform and how he creates content and interacts with people without degrees and helping them take the roles that best fit them. He shares key insights on constant learning especially when you don't have the "advantage" of having a degree.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESYou can learn so much by being proactive - Jonaed: "You've got a degree? Ten years later and new technology comes out, what are you going to do? Lean in on your degree? No, you have to get involved. Things are always changing so immerse yourself."Understand the role of recruiters - Jonaed: "The recruiter's job is not to help you out, their job is to help their clients fill roles. If you are their target market and they have a job for you, they'll be helpful. If not they will not be. This is a misconception people have because, the fact is, they're busy and they have their quota so you have to make it easy for them."Get to know Jonaed and what he’s up to:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaed/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoDegreeDotComConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek is joined by Priyanka Gyawali, the Chief Technology Officer at Belong Technology. Priyanka digs into her journey in tech from software engineer to CTO and the immense value of upskilling to get there.She shares her thoughts on what makes a good product owner/manager and the changes ChatGPT is ushering in the way we process work for the better. For agile, Priyanka also champions giving people space to be creative to bring their ideas to reality.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESChanging and overlapping roles after going agile - Priyanka: "Things have changed like the number of roles in a project have changed. Previously it was the developer doing the designing as well, doing the QA, doing the BA, and then there was like a product owner. But like over time when things are more agile now, we have several roles, like people wear different hats, especially in my experience in the startup world."Leaders should take the lead on implementing innovation - Priyanka: "Someone being a leader, they might not think about the things that are in the market, but then a developer who has hands-on experience and who might have already done that in another project, we can utilize their skill on that. So I guess it's about giving space to people in the team."Get to know Priyanka and what she’s up to:LinkedInConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek is joined by Joe Ziadeh, Chief Story Teller and Innovation Artist at Balanced Agility. They play around with ChatGPT to test if it can think and act like a scrum master in realistic situations.Vivek and Joe run a few prompts and are definitely impressed by some of the answers. Although some are a bit drawn out, the AI has produced impressive results throughout the session.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESHow does ChatGPT produce specific answers? - Joe: "After this is done, I want to try and give it something more generic. Because I feel like it could've picked this up off the web. But if it's coming up with these things, I am in shock."Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:About JoeAbout Balanced AgilityBalanced Academy  WebsiteConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Welcome to another episode and today, Vivek welcomes Rye Hawley, a Scrum Master at Net Health. They discuss Rye's current role, his transition to tech, and his advice for his past and current self. Rye emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, identifying and resolving impediments, and striving for excellence in personal and professional growth. Learn more about Rye and his work in this latest episode of The Agile Coach.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESAcing an interview with less experience - Rye: “I'd recommend when people are in this interviewing stage, is really focusing on what you're bringing to a company, but also like how you're adding value to them, and also you have to think like the company's in a position where they need someone to fill this gap that they have, and so what can you bring to the table, focusing on the specifics there, I think that's what really helped and leveraged by success in interviews.”Defining what is an impediment - Rye: “Impediments can come in the form of many things, especially in this day and age, I think we'll just talk about my teams and what impediments look like it could be anything from a failed server, or a database or some technical blockage that our developers experiencing. So that could simply mean connecting that individual with a subject matter expert that can help troubleshoot it. That could be an example of an impediment.”Get to know Rye and Net Health:LinkedInNet HealthConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek sits down with Haley Prestwood, Scrum Master at Kroger Technology & Digital. Haley talks about her early experience in Agile and her transition from planning to go to law school to becoming a scrum master today.She shares her insights on how to reaffirm yourself and excel in your role even if you don't initially have any background in IT or software development. She highlights the importance of learning and continuing to grow and how essential this can be in the Agile environment.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESDon't be afraid to ask questions - Haley: "Don't be afraid to ask questions and get off mute in meetings. When I first started in my first role, I was so scared to come off mute and ask questions but that's really how you're going to improve and grow."Lean on the Agile coach community - Haley: "That has been so supportive for me is just staying connected. I've been in IT for 3 years now but I still stay in touch with so many people in the program and that's been very beneficial and helps me continuously grow my knowledge and improve."Get to know Haley and check out the book she recommended:LinkedInHow to do the WorkConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek sits down with Joe Justice, CEO of WIKISPEED and Chairman of the Agile Business Institute. Joe talks about all that he has learned about innovation and how it relates to Agile after working with Elon Musk.He gives us an inside look at a few processes at the Musk companies and the processes they implement for cost reduction and innovation. Joe shares his insights on scrum and how effectively it helps in calling different roleplayers to collaborate and work seamlessly all throughout.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESWhat is Agility? - Joe: "Agility is making change cheaper in time, money, and emotional willpower like making it less draining and even more fun. That is the game. How Elon says, it is "Pace of innovation is the only thing that matters in the long run." And that's working really well for Elon from a business perspective. Agility is that."Agile is to reduce the cost to make a change - Joe: "Change is expensive in a traditional mindset and then disruption increases the cost of your existing plan. If you're able to respond quickly to change, then change is a cost-advantage to you."Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:LinkedInTwitterAbout WIKISPEEDConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

This episode of The Agile Coach is the second part of our conversation with Mikaylah McCarty, Scrum Master at Universal Parks & Resorts. She shares the best practices when building the resume, improving LinkedIn, and other aspects to focus on when interviewing or applying for an Agile role.Mikaylah talks about the importance of starting the role right and adopting the right mindset once you start doing what's needed from you. She also highlights the need to continue learning and that you are never confined to just one role as a scrum master.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESUnderstand your story so you don't have to lie - Mikaylah: "You can embellish, you can make something sound bigger, but never lie on your resume because that's cheap. A true scrum master when you're interviewing can see straight through that. I'd know you don't know what you're talking about."Show up with your best self every day - Mikaylah: "There are thousands of people who want to take my job at Universal and I remind myself that every single day. I am replaceable and I think that is the biggest mentality to note and that stems to everything."Get to know Mikaylah and what she’s up to:LinkedInConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

The Agile Coach with Vivek and Pabitra sits down with Mikaylah McCarty, Scrum Master at Universal Parks & Resorts. Scrum Masters lead cross-functional and agile teams. They provide the how to the what and deliver realistic outcomes quickly to customers.She shares her journey to becoming a Scrum Master and how to capitalize on networking opportunities. Mikaylah advises aspiring Scrum Masters to seek out a mentor to guide them and to double down on the skill of communication as creating a safe space but also commanding the room is the role of a Scrum Master. HIGHLIGHT QUOTESScrum Masters provide the HOW to the WHAT - Mikaylah: "A Scrum Master's role is to then take whatever they're prioritizing and say, how are we going to get it done? Product owner is the what in the team. The Scrum Masters are the how, that's the value that we provide to the team is okay, they're saying we got to get this done. We have the team members ready to do the work. The scrum master will then say, this is how it's going to work."Lead from the front and add skills to your tool belt - Mikaylah: "Get down there with your team. If you don't know it, learn it. If all you can do is sit there, sit next to them and rub their back and give them a donut, like do that. Supporting your team. Never saying, it's not my job. Never say you can't do it, and gaining as many skills in your tool belt as you can." Get to know Mikaylah and what she’s up to:LinkedInConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, Vivek talks with Angela Johnson, Chief Change Officer & Certified Scrum Trainer at Collaborative Leadership Team and author of The Scrum Master Files. She talks about working with leadership as an Agile coach and working through resistance Agile transformation in organizations.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESYou have to have a handle on what you're trying to measure  - Angela: "People will say things like, 'we have to go faster' or 'we can't keep up with the competition.' But all of those reasons I firmly believe that they're sincere, they're just not measurable."It's okay to assume some leaders don't have clarity - Angela: "Even leaders who think they have a clear vision of where they're going, they may be assuming that people are doing what they think is the top goal but that's not necessarily the case until they follow up or verify." Get to know Angela and check out her book:About AngelaThe Scrum Master FilesConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, Vivek talks with Angela Johnson, Chief Change Officer & Certified Scrum Trainer at Collaborative Leadership Team and author of The Scrum Master Files. She talks about the necessary people skills that scrum masters need and how to handle conflict effectively as a scrum master.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESDon't shy away from conflict as a scrum master - Angela: "Sometimes when people are just misunderstanding each other or communication is breaking down, a scrum master has got to get in there sometimes with their black and white stripes and their whistle almost like a referee but oftentimes it's just to help."How to provide better feedback - Angela: "Instead of making it about you and telling them what they're doing wrong, why don't you invite their participation? Why don't you get them to come up with the answer?" Get to know Angela and check out her book:About AngelaThe Scrum Master FilesConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach Podcast, Vivek talks with Pabitra about how she got into Agile, the transition from her first job to where she's now today, and if she would have changed her Agile Career today. They share about the different changes in the space and the overall process of starting a career in Agile. HIGHLIGHT QUOTESLeading a team to become a self-empowering unit - Pabitra: "Really think about how I help them in their personal or professional growth so that they feel like they're valued at work not just what they're producing but also their feeling valued at work because somebody actually cares about their growth."There are always transferrable skills - Pabitra: "No matter what job that you have, there are a lot of the non-technical side or more of the people side of things and business side of things because, at the end of the day, you work for a business. No matter what your role is, you're helping businesses do better."Connect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

The Agile Coach with Vivek and Pabitra chats with Andrej Dzidic, Director of Project Management - Technical at Mastercard. He breaks down the role of people skills in the success of a product management role, as well as shares how he built trust to navigate people's expectations. Different stakeholders have different priorities, so being able to build a relationship with each of them creates less friction when actually performing your role as a product manager.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESSales skills are a good foundation for product management - Andrej: "I think sales is a great way to break into product management because you do have that people communication skills. You think about success, you think about revenue, and then you're also getting customer feedback so you are working with the product every now and then by providing input on what the customer wants. And second, with product management and product ownership, you care a lot about go-to-market strategy."Product managers need to earn trust - Andrej: "From the outside looking in, product management looks like such a cakewalk. It's not. There's a whole political landscape you have to navigate. And so, with product coming in, I knew some of the business stuff from the MBA and from previous roles I had in previous experience and I was pretty good with people so when it came to talking to people, okay, I got this in the bag. Now what I didn't realize is you have an engineering team who's like oh yeah, that's a ton of work. It's not. And so you have to decide for it and figure out what's actually true and what isn't. So you have to earn trust." Get to know Andrej and what he’s up to:About AndrejConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

The Agile Coach with Vivek and Pabitra chats with Andrej Dzidic, Director of Project Management - Technical at Mastercard. He defines what product management is and how his team sets up strategies with buy-in from engineering leadership.Andrej also shares how he builds teams by performing a gap analysis and prioritizing a potential product manager's communication skills. He talks about mentoring others using prioritization strategies and clarifies that a degree is not needed to enter a product; so be aware that competition is tough but not impossible to break through.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESProduct management is about creating synchronicity - Andrej: "When I think about product management, you really don't have a successful product if you don't meet product market fit, right? So when you're thinking about it initially, you might think, okay, how quickly are we actually pushing things to the market and are we meeting that equilibrium point? But for me, what I really started to care about was predictability. So how in sync are our product managers with our business stakeholders?"Become great at the product by creating your own product - Andrej: "If you've never been a product owner or product manager, go out and build a product. Go and find someone on Fiverr who can do some light work for you that's relatively cheap. Make some wireframes, put together a backlog, and let's see you build a product. I mean, I do it in my free time, so even though I'm working in product, I'm trying to figure out how can I build something so that I can just go work because I love product management." Get to know Andrej and what he’s up to:About AndrejConnect with Vivek and Pabitra to find out more about what they're up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

The Agile Coach takes a deep dive with Joe Ziadeh, Chief Story Teller and Innovation Artist at Balanced Agility, into his journey to becoming a certified ICE-AC agile coach. He shares the differences between mentoring and coaching, how to practice facilitation, and his own growth as a coach himself as his biggest learning experiences in this journey.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESMentors solve the problem with you, coaches help the person behind it - Joe: "As a coach, your coachee or client, however you want to call it, shows up and they say, hey, I've got a problem that I need to solve. And the coach comes in and says okay, cool. How can I help you? Not the problem. Let's talk to you and figure out what's going on in your life. How are you working on this problem? What can we do to support you so that you can solve the problem on your own."Teach the way the brain wants to learn which is through activity - Joe: "There are a lot of ways that we can learn that are more exciting, more interesting, and more effective. So then we start teaching based on the way our brains work. So gains, activity, getting people moving around, laughter, jokes, music, bright colors, interactivity. All of these things combined together create a much more effective and enjoyable learning experience." Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:About JoeAbout Balanced AgilityBalanced Agility WebsiteConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

The Agile Coach sits down with Joe Ziadeh, Chief Story Teller and Innovation Artist at Balanced Agility, as he shares how to approach and engage teams as an agile coach. Joe breaks down his insights when working with new teams, from entering the team with mutual respect to the very mindset that makes an agile coach effective.Joe gives tips on how to create psychological safety to encourage transparent conversation and shares some activities he does with new teams. He also discusses how he aligns with stakeholders and leadership and how key metrics are based on goals that leaders must first define. Lastly, Joe provides expert tips on hiring agile facilitators and some qualities to look for in product owners. HIGHLIGHT QUOTESCreate psychological safety by bonding with the team - Joe: "The first thing that you need to do is, as a coach, you need to connect with every person on that team. And there are going to be people who don't necessarily want to connect with you. And you have to set up one-on-ones. You have to bond with these people. You have to connect with them as human beings."Deal with leadership through expectation management - Joe: "The higher up in the organization you get, it's a question of, hey stakeholder, what is it that you want to see from this? What does this team need to do to make you happy, to be successful? In your mind, what are the things that you can see that would keep them from being successful, and how can we prevent them? And then what can we do so that in the future when the team needs help, you are in a position to help them?"Providing air cover for supporting difficult decisions - Joe: "You'll run into situations, where as a leader, your job isn't to make sure that the organization runs clockwork the way it's supposed to. The vast majority of your time is spent on when stuff goes wrong, how do I pick up the pieces and get us back to what we should be doing?"Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:About JoeAbout Balanced AgilityBalanced Agility WebsiteConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Today, we feature the best moments of our conversation with Richard Seroter, Director of Developer Relations and Outbound Product Management at Google Cloud. He discusses what it means to be a product owner and how to work with engineers, end users, and everyone in between.Richard shares how to exercise leadership as a product owner and work with stakeholders not as a boss but as a member of the team. He also talks about using data points to prioritize feature decisions, instilling self-governance and accountability, and promoting continuous improvement in the team.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESA product owner leads through influence - Richard: "A good product owner leads through influence. They don't have direct authority. They don't have a management staff of people. The engineers don't report to them. But you are leading often by showing that you have their back. And, for me again, that was a very underrated aspect that if you're a good product owner, the engineers think you are covering for them in a good way."Don't procrastinate and always ship at the end of each release - Richard: "I don't think you're going to have a good time if you don't force your team to ship after the end of each release, each sprint, because if you don't ship, what's really easy to do? Let's just roll it into the next one. If you have that failsafe, you're going to use it versus like nope, we ship at the end of each release."Get to know Richard and what he’s up to:About RichardTwitterWebsiteConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Today, The Agile Coach looks back on our conversation with Banu Raghuraman who is now a Course Instructor with The Agile Coach and Digital Project Manager at EY. In order to lead, you need empathy, and being an emphatic leader has positive implications for how well you resonate with team members and stakeholders alike. Banu provides tips on relationship building and digs into the actual ways to communicate with stakeholders. She gives tips on influential leadership which informs how to negotiate with other people, how to open to new ways of thinking to resolve unprecedented problems, and how to be upfront about risk.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESCreate trust by following through with promises - Banu: "Trust comes from how much of what I say lines up with what I do. It's a massive input of integrity that you have to show because obviously when you're coming in and talking to a person for the first time, we can all be nice. There are plenty of internet articles out there that tell you how to make a good first impression. But after that, how much you follow through is what's important, and that sense of integrity is what people need to understand."Document when decisions are made so everyone understands the why - Banu: "If you don't understand the why behind a specific decision, then it really becomes a political game. And there are different ways of dealing with the political side of things, but if there was a rational decision that was being made and generally in product management, I've been fortunate enough not to get into the political side of things but really understand why a certain decision was made. Document that and make sure everyone understands the why."Get to know Banu and what she’s up to:About BanuConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Today, we speak again with Joe Ziadeh, the Chief Story Teller and Innovation Artist at Balanced Agility. He knows how estimation is done best by pinning it relative against the size of another thing and determining if it is bigger or smaller than that. Joe also talks about story points and how to relatively size them and use the Fibonacci sequence because it is simply what worked for many people a long time ago. Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:About JoeAbout Balanced AgilityBalanced Agility WebsiteConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Today, we speak again with Joe Ziadeh, the Chief Story Teller and Innovation Artist at Balanced Agility. He discusses the differences between ideas and insights and how to perform a root cause analysis like the 5 Why's. This strategy reveals the insights hidden in the data and opens up possible experiments the team can perform to address the root cause of the issue.  Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:About JoeAbout Balanced AgilityBalanced Agility WebsiteConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Today, we feature the most impactful, thought-provoking, and actionable tips from our conversation with Joe Ziadeh, the Chief Story Teller and Innovation Artist at Balanced Agility. He shares how to facilitate team retrospectives by creating trust within the team first and using games and improv to actually brainstorm. These games can be used to overcome power plays in a team and create a space where it is safe to address problems and find solutions for them. Get to know Joe and what he’s up to:About JoeAbout Balanced AgilityBalanced Agility WebsiteConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

What roles does the product manager actually take in the company? Neha believes that, more than the job description, product managers play a huge role in enabling teams in overall processes even if we don't see it directly. In this episode of The Agile Coach, Vivek and Neha dive deep into the skills that are unnecessary and those that are important in order to become an effective product manager. AGILE HIGHLIGHTSNeha's transition from medical school to product managerCore skillsets needed in product managementThings you don't need to become a product managerYou have to be able to put things into perspective as you progressEmotional intelligence is needed to ask the right questionsConnection before correction AGILE MOMENTSOn what made Neha choose the path of product management: “Ultimately, it all came down to the impact that product managers have on decision-making within the company. You hear a lot of the time “product and CEO of the company” and I don't believe that as true. It's really that product people are enablers for their team.”Neha's on critical thinking as a core skill:“I think one skill that's also very important for a product manager is having critical thinking skills. So, really look at what the problem is at hand and work collaboratively with your teams to come up with the solution that balances need of the customer, the business, and why it's technically feasible.”Neha on how data can best back you up:“Everything that we mentioned, stakeholder management, all of that I think is basically the cherry on top if you have this to back you up which is data-driven. I think it's really important to use whatever data you have at hand to make the right decisions” Get to know Neha and what she’s up to:About Neha Connect with Vivek through the links below:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Welcome to another episode of The Agile Coach! We have a special episode for you today as we bring back some of the best moments of our amazing guest, Parth Detroja, Product Manager at Facebook and author of Swipe to Unlock.Tune in for some of the best insights and highlights in our previous interview with Parth! HIGHLIGHTSCan people become product managers without going to college?Being a product manager and the tradeoffs you should makeWhy Facebook bought a VR company “Showing that you've helped tangibly shape real products is the biggest thing that will open doors for you. Take any elite university, there are thousands of students at that same university so it's kind of hard to stand out in that regard.”-Parth on where the college degree adds value Get to know Parth and what he’s up to:About Parth Connect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach Website If you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Pabitra talks about assessing Agile teams in the sense of a Japanese martial arts concept which is the Su Ha Ri. She dives deep into each of the three stages, how scrum masters can work most effectively in each stage, and how you can also assess yourself and identify which stage you're in. AGILE HIGHLIGHTSExploring the stages of Su Ha RiSu is the beginning stage where the student follows one masterHa is where the student begins to branch outRi is the stage where students learn from their own practiceHow the scrum master can show up in each of these stagesAssessing yourself through the Su-Ha-Ri AGILE MOMENTSPabitra - When the team reaches the Ri stage:“This is a beautiful stage to be in and for a coach to see the team get to this stage is amazing to witness. If these are true and your team is at a Ri stage, you really need to let them go in a way.”Pabitra - Seeing the team become a high-performing team:“There are always different approaches to get the same results. So at this stage, the team can come up with their own solutions, they just need a coach to help them find different ways to achieve what they need.”Pabitra - Moving between the three stages as a scrum master:“Am I showing up as a teacher? A coach? An advisor? And that is what a true coach does is consistently evaluating and uncovering better ways of helping the team at the end of the day. Get to know Pabitra and what she’s up to:About Pabitra Connect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Welcome to another episode of The Agile Coach! We have a special episode for you today as we bring some of the best moments of our amazing guest, Diana Larsen, President and Leadership Agility Advisor at Eos House Consulting and author of Agile Retrospectives.Tune in for some of the most notable highlights and learning points in our previous interview with Diana! HIGHLIGHTSThe creation of the book Agile Retrospectives and its core pointsHow you should use gathered data for learning and generating insightHaving a shared understanding with your team and deciding what to do after thatHow long should we plan for a retrospective? “It's not about individual performance. It's about how we work together to create a system where we can make sure that people's best is good enough for what we need. ”-Diana on being able to push your team to their bestGet to know Diana and what he’s up to:About DianaConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Pabitra continues the talk about identifying the anti-patterns for the different roles in a scrum team. This time, she discusses specifically about common anti-patterns of a scrum master. Tune in to find out and avoid these anti-patterns early on in your journey as a scrum master or improve if you've already been one for a long time. AGILE HIGHLIGHTSThe critical role of the scrum masterAnti-Pattern #1: Scrum master acting like a project managerAnti-Pattern #2: Being a scrum copAnti-Pattern #3: Making everything a teachable momentAnti-Pattern #4: Not prioritizing connectionAnti-Pattern #5: Being a scrum momBetter practices for a scrum master to improve AGILE MOMENTSPabitra - Believe in Agile in order to bring the necessary change:“If somebody is a scrum master or Agile practitioner, I believe that the person has to be passionate about Agile because it's so much about you uncovering yourself. ”Pabitra - On why prioritizing connection is important:“As a scrum master or change agent, when you come into an organization you have to understand that change is hard. There is a lot of fear when a lot of changes are happening in an organization.” Get to know Pabitra and what she’s up to:About Pabitra Connect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach Website If you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Welcome to another episode of The Agile Coach! We have a special episode for you today as we bring some of the best moments of our amazing guest, Adam Miner, Founder of Miner Legacy Group and Agile Coach at Huntington National Bank.Tune in for some valuable nuggets of insight and information in our past two interviews with Adam! HIGHLIGHTSAdam relates the importance of communication in sports and the corporate worldMoving around impediments as a Scrum MasterBuilding relationships and forming a high-performing teamCelebrate your team's success and efforts “Number one is that I have to be the ultimate example of being transparent. Part of this is about not necessarily playing the bureaucratic, political game in organizations. My personality and style with my teams is not to be the stubborn optimist. If something is going wrong and it's on fire, I'll empathize with that and I'll say this is not a good situation to be in.”-Adam on fostering transparency in teamsGet to know Adam and what he’s up to:About AdamGet to know Pabitra and what she’s up to:About PabitraConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

In this episode of The Agile Coach, Pabitra talks about identifying the anti-patterns for the different roles in a scrum team. She dives deep into the usual anti-patterns observed for anyone in a product owner role so you can identify these and get rid of them as early as you can. Tune in to find out the common signs of these anti-patterns and the most effective solutions you can apply. AGILE HIGHLIGHTSThe primary roles of a product ownerCommon anti-patterns for the product owner roleHaving multiple decision-makers for one productNot knowing when and how to step away from your roleProduct backlogs not being readyThe better practices for a product owner AGILE MOMENTSPabitra - When product owners step into the role of a scrum master:“If they take the role too seriously and don't necessarily understand that a scrum master is not necessarily a project manager or manager for the developers, this can backfire and they mind end up being more controlling and interfering more than helping the team.”Pabitra - A solution for backlogs not being ready:“As a product owner, you always want to be thinking ahead. If the development team is working on starting user stories for whatever time box your company may have, you want to be thinking about the next sprint or iteration.” Get to know Pabitra and what she’s up to:About PabitraConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

A TEAM THAT GROWS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHERIn this special episode of The Agile Coach, Pabitra goes solo to discuss the 5 stages of team development. As a scrum master, it is very important to be intact with your team and Pabitra is here to help you. Tune in to find out which stage is most crucial, and how you can get more ideas and feedback from your team. AGILE HIGHLIGHTSThe 5 Stages Of TeamsThe Forming StageThe Storming StageThe Norming StageThe Performing StageThe Adjourning StageAGILE MOMENTSPabitra - The most crucial stage of a team“Second is storming stage two of the five and it's considered the most critical and also the most difficult stage to go through. It can be riddled with conflicts such as individual personalities and working styles really clashing within the team.”Pabitra - Empower your team and let them be heard“Instead of thinking you have to have all the answers and give it to them, empower them to come up with your own answers, and do it as a team to facilitate those conversations. That way the team feels like they're being heard. And they feel like they can come and share their ideas and feedback.”Connect with Vivek & Pabitra and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout PabitraAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Welcome to another episode of The Agile Coach, and today will be special, as we will be bringing you some of the best moments of our guest, Matthew Philip, Senior Director, Agile Coaching and Kaizen Lead at Pfizer. Tune in and find out what’s the best moment in our interview with Matt, and watch out for more highlights in the coming episodes.HIGHLIGHTSMeasuring outcome vs outputYou can build, but think if it's the right thing to buildRemember that the features are still just a hypothesis“The idea of focusing on outcomes to me is really putting the most important thing out there and saying, it's also a way of acknowledging that we don't know we work in a complex environment, and it's essentially putting us in a mindset of experimentation and hypothesis making.” -Matthew on focusing on outcomes and not outputsGet to know Matt and what he’s up to:About MatthewAbout PfizerPfizer.comConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc

Welcome to another episode of The Agile Coach, and today we are back with Laurin Lukas Stahl, as he and Vivek continue to discuss more details about product management, what it’s like to onboard as a new PM, understanding product market fit, and the importance of making mistakes and making it a learning opportunity.HIGHLIGHTSOn-boarding as a product managerGetting the product strategy acrossUnderstanding what product market fit isIt's always a learning opportunityMinimum Viable vs. Minimum Lovable ProductHow a product manager prioritizesLearnings while working as a PMQUOTESLaurin - On-boarding as a new product manager:“The first 90 days are crucial to how you're going to basically get on-boarded to the new company, to a new product that you're working on. So when I was a new product manager starting out in that company, before I even had any leadership and strategic responsibilities, I really wanted to get an understanding.Laurin - Defining Product Market Fit:“It basically means you need to define the metric for your price, about what you based on what the nature of the product is, what product market fit would mean for you.”Laurin - Mistakes are part of the game:“You shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes, because otherwise, you will only try to make safe changes that don't change the game, then you'll just start optimizing and trying to improve metrics by a little bit because you're afraid to make big changes that could have a big impact.”Get to know Laurin and what he’s up to:About LaurinAbout TralitySign up with TralityConnect with Vivek and find out more about what he’s up to:About VivekAbout The Agile CoachAgile Coach WebsiteIf you enjoy The Agile Coach and are interested in learning more, you can check us out at the link below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-agile-coach-llc