Agile Community Network

Give Us Feedback Episode 110 is a hopeful, high-energy look at where Agile is actually working today, with real examples from manufacturing, nonprofits, government, and beyond. Ray and the panel cut through the usual negativity to explore how adaptability, collaboration, and a focus on value are still helping teams achieve better results.  Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen , ...

Give Us Feedback In ACN Episode 109, we explored a common question many organizations are asking today: when Agile seems to fail, is Agile really the problem, or is it revealing deeper organizational issues?  In most cases, it is more the organizational dysfunction that Agile is shining a light on.  Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , April Mi...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we talk about what it takes to make change stick—especially when “Agile transformation” becomes a label instead of real progress. We cover the common pitfalls, the role of culture and middle management, and why clear goals, real investment, and continuous improvement matter. The takeaway: lasting change comes from resilience, adaptation, and empowered change agent...

Give Us Feedback In this episode of the Agile Community Network, we discuss how to stay resilient amid constant layoffs and uncertainty. We look at the emotional and professional challenges workers face today and share practical, Agile-inspired strategies for staying grounded, adaptable, and future-ready. Whether you’re navigating change yourself or supporting others, this conversation offers time...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we explore the growing issue of Agile burnout — when teams lose their spark and the work begins to feel like just another mundane task. We unpack why this happens, how organizations contribute to it, and what leaders can do to bring energy and balance back to their teams. Tune in for real talk about sustainable agility and keeping the heart of Agile alive.  Join S...

Give Us Feedback One of the biggest challenges facing the Agile community today is the way tools are used. Too often, they become a substitute for conversation and collaboration, rather than a support for them, leaving us falling short of the intent behind Agile’s values and principles.  In this episode, we discuss this issue and offer strategies to avoid falling into this trap.  Join Shawna Culli...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we discuss how to re-engage Agile Communities of Practice during periods of declining participation by clarifying their purpose, fostering psychological safety, rotating facilitators, designing for active involvement, and introducing new, relevant topics to keep the community thriving.  Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Shei...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we explore ways to move from "my boss doesn't understand what I do" to strategies for resolving the issue. Ways to help your boss recognize, appreciate, and advocate for your work.  Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , April Mills ,  Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly...

Give Us Feedback Are your agile efforts getting lost in translation? In this episode, we share practical ways for how agilists can talk to the C-suite in a language they understand. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , April Mills ,  Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly live event as we explore this topic.  For details...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we examine how teams are influenced by the extent to which policy or empowerment affects them and how we can support them.   Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , April Mills ,  Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly live event as we explore this topic.  For details on the next live event...

Give Us Feedback In episode 100 of the ACN podcast, we celebrate being the longest continuously running podcast focused on Agile and improving work practices in companies. In this episode, we also examine how Lean and Agile principles and methodologies complement one another. Are they compatible? Should one take precedence over the other? Tune in to find out!  Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszk...

Give Us Feedback In episode 99 of the ACN podcast, we explore the concept of “flow” and why it’s more than just a buzzword. We explore how nurturing a state of flow can transform individual performance, team dynamics, and overall company culture.  This episode marks our transition from the Agile Coaching Network to the Agile Community Network. Overall, this name change reflects our identity for so...

Give Us Feedback In episode 98 of the ACN podcast, we delve into the broken culture within our team and company and explore ways to address it. We also discuss how to safeguard ourselves while coaching teams that are experiencing this dysfunction. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , April Mills ,  Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the caller...

Give Us Feedback In episode 97 of the ACN podcast, we explore Agile's role in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), emphasizing the early involvement of Agile leaders to foster collaboration, transparency, and cultural alignment. Drawing from personal experiences, we discuss overcoming M&A challenges like resistance to change and cultural clashes through Agile’s iterative, feedback-driven a...

Give Us Feedback In episode 96 of the Agile Coaching Network, we looked ahead to Agile in 2025, envisioning more flexible, hybrid frameworks, a growing role for AI, and a strong emphasis on collaboration, learning, and celebrating our wins for 2024. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the mont...

Give Us Feedback  In this episode, we explore how AI can help your teams build better products and more fully embrace Agile principles. We also discuss the potential downsides of over-reliance on AI, such as reduced team interaction, inflexibility, and the risk of biased or misguided decisions.   Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Ess...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we will delve into various organizational change models, explore common pitfalls to avoid, provide strategies for effectively managing resistance to change, and showcase inspiring success stories from across the industry.   Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we offer guidance to those affected by layoffs—both individuals now seeking new employment and those remaining who are dealing with the emotional and practical challenges of losing a co-worker.   Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly live event as we...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of transformation within our business, questioning whether it is fundamentally flawed. We'll explore the challenges, misconceptions, and potential pitfalls often accompanying transformation initiatives and discuss whether pursuing change might sometimes lead us astray.   Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  S...

Give Us Feedback  In this podcast episode, we dive deep into one of the most frequently misunderstood principles: simplicity. We explore its true meaning, debunk common misconceptions, and discuss how embracing simplicity can lead to more efficient workflows, better decision-making, and a more precise focus on delivering value.   Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eck...

Give Us Feedback In this podcast episode, we delve into the various obstacles that Agile coaches encounter when attempting to quantify and demonstrate their impact and value within organizations. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly live event as we explore this topic.  For details...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we explore interesting trends in the industry, leading us to delve deeper into whether companies are backing away from Agile. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly live event as we explore this topic.  For details on the next live event or how to sup...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we will be addressing the challenges that arise when requirements change unexpectedly or when flexibility is needed in our teams, companies, products, or customers. This may involve tackling problems related to our processes, planning, technical debt, legacy systems, as well as contracts with both internal and external parties. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietrusz...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we will be discussing the essential leadership traits that are required to build a customer-centric organization. We will analyze the characteristics of expert, achiever, and catalyst leaders, emphasizing the effectiveness of inclusive leadership. Additionally, we will explore how people can deal with bad leadership and how they can develop and grow their own lead...

Give Us Feedback In this episode, we discuss Jon Kern’s, coauthor of the Agile Manfesto, LinkedIn post calling for a return to Agile basics and reimagining it for the future. Join Shawna Cullinan , Jörg Pietruszka ,  Diana Larsen ,  Sheila Eckert , Sheila McGrath , Hendrik Esser , Ray Arell , and all the callers to the monthly live event as we explore topics related to Agile.  For details on the n...