Thriving in Agile Environments: Mastering 3 Non-Negotiable Leadership Skills
The 3 Must-Have Skills For Leaders
đ Hello, Iâm Carlos, and welcome to my newsletter, âThe Holistic Leader.â Raw notes from an Agile Coach. Share your questions with me here, and in exchange, I'll provide practical, grounded, and clear advice.
In the Agile world, leaders are super important.
They can make a team do great things or let things fall apart.
Agile is not just about knowing the rules; it's about having the right skills to work well together, change when needed, and always get better.
Let's talk about the three key skills every leader needs and how you can get better at them.
1. Being Understanding (Empathy)
But, waitâŠ
Why this Matter?
Being understanding is all about really getting what others feel and think.
In Agile teams, this means creating a space where everyone feels valued and heard.
âThis is how teams work best togetherâ
Hereâs the Sauce and how to GET BETTER!
Framework â> (ECRR) Engage > Clarify > Reflect > Respond
E â Be present in conversations, both verbally and non-verbally.
C â Ask open-ended questions to understand deeper motivations and thoughts.
R â Paraphrase what youâve heard to confirm understanding, showing that you value their perspectives.
R â Provide feedback that acknowledges their feelings and perspectives, fostering a safe environment for communication.
This framework is a powerful approach for enhancing empathy in leadership.
Remember, being present in conversations, asking open-ended questions, paraphrasing to confirm and providing thoughtful feedback, leaders can significantly deepen their connections with team members.
This not only demonstrates a genuine respect and value for individual perspectives but also cultivates a culture of trust and safety.
2. Ready for Change (Adaptability)
Why adaptation is important?
Things change all the time isnât?
Leaders need to be okay with changing plans, trying new things, and learning from what doesnât work.
Being ready to change helps teams stay on top of things and keep moving forward.
3 key things to GET BETTER!
Keep an Eye Out: Always look out for new info and feedback. This helps you know what's going on.
Think It Over: Use what you learn to figure out what to do next. This helps you make smart choices.
Try It Out: Put your plans into action and see what happens. This is how you learn and get better.
3. Talking Clearly (Effective Communication)
Talking clearly is key in any situation. It's about making sure everyone knows the plan, believes in the team, and understands what they need to do.
Good communication helps everyone work together towards the same goal.
Next time you want to communicate something with your team think about this:
Set the Scene: Start by explaining the situation. This gives everyone the context they need.
Describe What's Happening: Say what you've noticed and why it's important. (This keeps the focus on the issue, not the person)
Explain the Effect: Talk about how actions impact the team and the work.
(This helps everyone understand why it matters)
Getting better at these skills takes time and practice.
By using the tips we talked about, leaders can create a team environment that's all about doing well together, being ready for anything, and keeping everyone in the loop.
When leaders build these skills, their teams can reach new heights of creativity and success.
Making People Awesome
Carlos Garcia