Geoff and Paul discuss “powerful questioning” in agile coaching and introduce a practice technique called Hot Seat Questions. They note the term “powerful questions” is often overused and shouldn’t be forced, but good questions can help shift thinking and open up new solutions. In the exercise, a group designates a “hot seat” where one person shares a coaching scenario for 30–60 seconds; each listener then asks one question that the hot-seat person does not answer, but instead gives feedback on the question’s impact (e.g., “That question was powerful because…” or “It could have been more powerful if…”). They emphasise psychological safety, letting go of the need to know, avoiding leading or rambling questions, and noticing nonverbal cues. They end with a brief example and mention downloadable guidance and a request for reviews.

Downloadable content: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep13-hot-seat-questions

00:00 Welcome and Catch Up

01:06 What Makes Questions Powerful

03:57 Hot Seat Questions Overview

04:58 How to Run the Exercise

07:51 What Powerful Looks Like

09:22 Safety and Letting Go

11:13 Feedback Structure and Observations

12:35 Common Question Traps

15:05 Live Hot Seat Demo

19:19 Wrap Up and Resources

In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, hosts Paul Goddard and Geoff Watts introduce their audience to the 3D Team Dynamics model. They delve into the origin and application of this technique, which helps in assessing and improving team behaviours. The model categorises behaviours into developing, detailing, and disruptive actions, with subcategories for each. The hosts also discuss the concept of a team heat map, which tracks physical movement and airtime distribution within a team. Throughout the episode, they encourage listeners to try out these techniques and provide downloadable content for practical use.

Downloadable content:

https://www.agilify.co.uk/resources/the-agile-skills-library/ep12-exploring-the-3d-team-dynamics-model/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:35 Introducing 3D Team Dynamics

02:23 Developing Actions in Team Dynamics

05:42 Detailing Actions in Team Dynamics

08:47 Disruptive Behaviours in Team Dynamics

11:56 Using the 3D Team Dynamics Data

17:51 Team Heat Map: The Fourth Dimension

21:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Agile Skills Podcast, hosts Geoff Watts and Paul Goddard introduce a valuable tool they call the 'coaching equation for coaching change.' This equation helps coaches and individuals effectively implement desired changes by balancing benefits, costs, and the probability of success. They discuss the importance of internalising the benefits, acknowledging costs, and strategies to increase the likelihood of success. The episode also includes practical examples and emphasizes the emotional aspects of motivation. A downloadable canvas is provided to help practitioners put the technique into practice.

Downloadable Content:

www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep11-the-change-equation

00:00 Introduction to the Agile Skills Library

00:29 Welcome Back to the Agile Skills Podcast

00:39 Introducing the Coaching Equation

04:24 Understanding the Benefits of Change

09:01 Identifying the Costs of Change

13:46 Probability of Success in Change

16:01 Increasing Your Chances of Success

24:02 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of Agile Skills Library, hosts Geoff and Paul introduce a collaborative prioritisation technique known as 'Pass the Cards,' also referred to as '35.' Originally mentioned by Jean Tabaka, the method is designed to engage multiple voices in prioritising product backlog items. The hosts provide detailed instructions on facilitating the game with stakeholders, including using different scales and rounds to derive a collective priority list. They also discuss the importance of having a north star or overall goal, managing subjectivity, and leveraging the technique for enhanced collaboration and effective decision-making. Practical tips and potential variations for the exercise are shared, along with advice for agile coaches and trainers.

Downloadble content available at:

https://www.agilify.co.uk/resources/the-agile-skills-library/ep10-collaborative-prioritisation-with-pass-the-cards-technique/

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:10 Overview of the Technique

00:43 Origins and Acknowledgements

01:32 Why Use This Technique?

02:27 Step-by-Step Method

05:24 Facilitation Tips and Common Issues

11:22 Scaling and Group Dynamics

12:52 Learning Points and Practical Applications

16:45 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, hosts Geoff Watts and Paul Goddard introduce the 5-5-5 technique, a simple yet powerful method to boost confidence and alleviate imposter syndrome among agile practitioners. The technique involves asking five trusted individuals five specific questions that highlight personal strengths, which they then verbalise back to the requester. This personalised feedback aims to help individuals internalise positive traits, creating a balanced self-perception. This method can be used by individuals or teams to cultivate a more confident and effective agile environment.

Downloadable Content:

www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep9-555-technique

00:00 Introduction to the Agile Skills Library

00:17 Introducing the 5-5-5 Technique

01:02 Why the 5-5-5 Technique is Essential

02:34 How to Implement the 5-5-5 Technique

04:42 Questions to Ask in the 5-5-5 Technique

06:02 Receiving and Internalising Feedback

10:57 Applying the 5-5-5 Technique in Teams

12:00 Conclusion and Additional Resources

In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, coaches Geoff and Paul discuss the concept of video reviews, a method they’ve used in advanced Scrum Master training for over a decade. Inspired by NBA coach Phil Jackson's unconventional methods, they explain how videos and various other media can provide valuable insights for scrum masters and product owners. They describe the structure they use (What, So What, Now What) to help students digest and apply the content. They also share plans to provide tools and curated video content for listeners to try the exercise themselves, aiming to foster deeper learning and broader connections beyond traditional scrum and agile topics.

Downloadble content available at:

https://www.agilify.co.uk/resources/the-agile-skills-library/ep8-leveraging-video-reviews-to-abstract-thinking/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:09 The Concept of Video Reviews

01:13 Origins and Inspiration from Phil Jackson

03:20 Implementing Video Reviews in Training

04:10 Benefits and Outcomes of Video Reviews

06:32 Practical Application and Structure

13:08 Diverse Content and Storytelling

14:01 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of the Agile Skills Library, the hosts introduce the 'core values exercise,' a simple yet impactful technique used in both individual and team coaching sessions to uncover and understand core values. The hosts demonstrate the process using a deck of cards, guiding listeners on how to identify their most important values and explaining the significance of being aware of these values. The exercise is noted for its wide applicability and potential to enhance self-awareness, decision-making, and team dynamics. Helpful resources for listeners to implement this technique themselves are also provided.

Downloadable Content:

www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep7-exploring-core-values-a-key-exercise-for-personal-and-team-growth

00:00 Introduction to the Core Values Exercise

00:44 Why Core Values Matter

02:36 The Core Values Exercise: Step-by-Step

04:19 Refining Your Core Values

06:41 Revealing and Reflecting on Core Values

09:28 Applying Core Values in Daily Life

15:29 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Geoff and Paul discuss Geoff’s new book, "Surviving the Stakeholder Safari," a stakeholder-management approach using “expedition mapping” as an alternative to their earlier “battle mapping” metaphor. The method uses 50 animal archetypes (each an acronym) to describe common workplace behaviors such as the seagull and the lion, stressing empathy and avoiding labeling people as villains. Geoff outlines six steps: set a clear destination, define non-negotiables, identify relevant animals, assess likelihood/impact and triggers (including pack dynamics and balancing stakeholder types), choose strategies/tactics for each archetype, and “pack your backpack” with navigation, evidence, relationship, boundary, and self-management tools. They note the value of storytelling and visual, card-based mapping, and share where to find the book and a downloadable expedition mapping template.

Downloadable content here: www.inspectandadapt.com/podcasts/ep6-expedition-mapping

01:03 Book Launch Announcement

02:07 From Battle to Safari

02:54 Animal Archetypes Explained

04:26 Expedition Mapping Setup

05:54 Six Steps Overview

06:41 Step Two Non Negotiables

07:43 Step Three Identify Animals

09:45 No Labeling Just Empathy

11:25 Step Four Risk Assessment

12:42 Packs and Stakeholder Dynamics

14:44 Step Five Strategy Planning

14:58 Tactics for Seagulls

16:01 Handling the Lion Now

17:04 Pick Tactics per Animal

17:22 Pack Your Backpack

18:07 Navigation and Evidence Tools

19:51 Relationship and Boundary Tools

21:24 Self Management Tools

23:48 Wrap Up and Resources