I recently finished Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success by John Wooden and Jay Carty. I got wind of the book at Agile 2022 by one of the keynote speakers and put it on my list of reads. Yes, it has taken me two years to get to it; I had a lot of books on the list, and I still do. I can see why it was mentioned two years ago as I went through it.
I would like to create a series of blogs linking the pyramid to setting up agile organizations. This will resemble the Series I did for Project Governance and agile environments. The difference is that I will write about the layers and how they tie in. In the first series, I will identify the foundational components for building a thriving agile environment: Industriousness, Friendship, Loyalty, Cooperation, and Enthusiasm. Let’s explore how these pillars can transform an agile organization.
Industriousness: The Power of Hard Work and Diligent Effort
What drives success in an organization is industriousness. Agile
teams must be dedicated to hard work and diligent effort. Agile environments go beyond merely following a framework; they require a commitment to continuously improving the environment and its members. As Jocko Willink states, "Discipline is the pathway to freedom." This involves not only putting in the necessary hours but also striving for constant improvement. In an agile setting, industriousness translates to:
- Continuous Learning: Encouraging team members to learn new skills and methodologies.
- Relentless Improvement: Regularly reflecting on processes through retrospectives and making necessary adjustments.
- Quality Focus: Prioritizing quality in every task, ensuring that each iteration brings value to the end product.
By embedding industriousness into the organizational culture, teams become more resilient, adaptive, and capable of delivering high-quality results consistently.
Friendship: Building Respect and Camaraderie
Friendship might seem like an unusual cornerstone for an agile organization, but it is crucial in any team environment. For the first decade of my career, I separated my work life from my personal life, treating work as just that—work. I didn't view my coworkers as friends because my definition of friendship was very narrow. Once I broadened my perspective, I realized the importance of friendship in the workplace. Respect and camaraderie among team members foster a positive and productive work environment. Key practices include:
- Open Communication: Encouraging honest and transparent communication helps in building trust and mutual respect.
- Team Building: Organizing activities that allow team members to bond and understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Supportive Culture: Creating a culture where team members support and uplift each other, especially during challenging times.
When team members view each other as friends rather than just colleagues, it enhances collaboration and creates a more cohesive unit.
Loyalty: Commitment and Trust
Loyalty within an agile organization is about commitment to the team and the overarching goals. Trust is the foundation upon which this loyalty is built. It's important to recognize that loyalty, commitment, and trust are not easily given; they require effort from everyone to build something meaningful. Often, teams are thrown together with the assumption that trust and commitment will naturally follow, but that's not always the case. Agile teams thrive when they:
- Trust Each Other: Believing in the capabilities and intentions of team members fosters a sense of security and belonging.
- Commit to Goals: Ensuring that everyone is aligned with the sprint goals and the overall mission of the project.
- Supportive Leadership: Leaders who are committed to their teams, providing guidance and support without micromanaging.
A loyal team is more likely to stay together through tough times and work collaboratively towards shared objectives.
Cooperation: Working Together for the Common Good
Cooperation is the essence of agility. Agile environments are designed to promote collaborative work, where collective intelligence is exponentially better than the parts. To cultivate cooperation, agile organizations should:
- Cross-Functional Teams: Forming teams with diverse skills that complement each other, enabling holistic problem-solving.
- Collaborative Tools: Utilizing tools and platforms that facilitate seamless communication and collaboration.
- Shared Responsibility: Encouraging team members to take collective ownership of tasks and outcomes.
When teams work together effectively, they can tackle complex problems and innovate more efficiently.
Enthusiasm: Infusing Joy and Passion into Work
Enthusiasm drives any team forward, especially agile teams. One question I ask my team members is, "What can I do to get you to jump out of bed in the morning?" It may seem odd, but here's the reasoning: when you're excited about coming to work, you look forward to the day and eagerly "jump" out of bed instead of dragging yourself up. When team members are passionate about their work, they are more engaged, motivated, and productive. To nurture enthusiasm:
- Purpose-Driven Work: Ensuring that the work aligns with the team’s values and contributes to a larger purpose.
- Recognition and Celebration: Regularly acknowledging and celebrating achievements, both big and small.
- Encouraging Creativity: Providing opportunities for team members to experiment and bring their ideas to life.
An enthusiastic team is not only more productive but also more innovative and resilient in the face of challenges.
Building a successful agile organization goes beyond adopting agile practices. It requires laying a strong foundation based on industriousness, friendship, loyalty, cooperation, and enthusiasm. By fostering a culture that embodies these principles, organizations can create agile teams that are not only efficient and effective but also resilient, innovative, and passionate about their work. Embracing these foundational values will pave the way for long-term success in the ever-evolving landscape of agile methodologies.
