Since long before the manifesto, Agile approaches have proven time and time again to be very successful at delivering business value for organizations. Along with those approaches come defined processes and practices, but is that all it takes? Often agile is referred to not as a "methodology", but rather a "mindset". Well then, what are the other things not process or practice specific that we need to be mindful of to ensure we deliver on the business value expected? In this session we'll take a deeper dive into exploring the human characteristics behind agile and learn how we may better support them both within ourselves and our organizations for improved future success.

1. @daniel_davis
not BEYOND agile,
but rather BEHIND it

2. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
• A Little About Me
• Focus For The Session
• What Agile Success Means Here
• Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
• Summarize
Agenda

3. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
• Agile Practitioner & Coach
• Director of Tech & Delivery for Autobooks.co
• Business Improvement Consultant
• Innovator, Life Hacker, Maker
• Professional Snowboard Instructor
A Little About Me

4. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
• Discussion over Presentation
• Principles over Prescription
Focus For The Session

5. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Summarized
Agile is easy. Humans are hard.

6. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
• Not perfection.
• Not 100% on time on budget.
• It’s a healthy organization meeting the majority of their
commitments and able to react to change in a timely manner.
• It fluctuates, might be shipping great product or just simply
surviving the next sprint.
• Maintaining the balance between utter chaos and rigid
confinement.
What Agile Success Means Here

7. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Trustworthy -
- Keep commitments
- Self-aware
- Confide in others
- Honest to everyone, including oneself
- Open transparency
“The moment there is suspicion about a person’s motives,
everything they do becomes tainted.”
– Gandhi

8. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Intuitive -
- Open mindedness
- Ability to draw connections
- Quick decision making
- Instinctively understanding
- Naturally observant
“That uneasy feeling is your intuition telling you no. Listen.”
– Unknown

9. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Life Long Learner -
- Testing new ideas
- Pushing boundaries
- Trying new things
- Courage to take risks
- Willingness to fail
“It’s impossible to be good at anything,
if you are not willing to fail at it.”
– Mark Manson,
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck

10. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Team Player -
- Collaborative
- Put team before self
- Value all contributions
- Encourage teammates
- Hold themselves and others accountable
“Don’t aspire to be the best member on the team.
Aspire to be the best member for the team.”
– Unknown

11. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Disciplined -
- Remove distractions
- Know their own limits
- Avoid temptation
- Stay focused
- Follow through
“Discipline is rarely enjoyable, but almost always profitable.”
– Darrin Patrick

12. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Passionate -
- Like what they do
- Aren’t easily discouraged
- Single mindedness
- Work hard for the goal
- Desire to continuously improve
“Finding your passion isn’t just about work and money.
It’s about finding your authentic self.
The one you’ve buried beneath other peoples needs”
– Unknown

13. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability
to get the other person’s point of view and see things
from that person’s angle, as well as from your own.”
– Henry Ford
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Empathetic -
- Accurately perceive people
- Natural curiosity
- Put others needs first
- Highly tuned senses
- Good listener

14. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Inquisitive -
- Naturally curious
- Always questioning
- Never settling for the status quo
- Investigate for themselves
- Continuously ask why

15. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
“Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness,
but a sign of strength.”
– Dalai Lama
Human Characteristics Behind Agile Success
Compassionate -
- Others needs above their own
- Forgive easily
- Got your back
- Mindful of others feelings
- Care deeply

16. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Summarized
• Trustworthy
• Intuitive
• Life Long Learner
• Team Player
• Disciplined
• Passionate
• Empathetic
• Inquisitive
• Compassionate

17. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Summarized
Agile is easy. Humans are hard.

18. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Q & A

19. not BEYOND agile, but rather BEHIND it
@daniel_davis
Thank you!
Daniel Davis
daniel.davis.tech@gmail.com
@daniel_davis
linkedin.com/in/davisdaniel