Better Ways of Working

Every organization has them: the engineer who pulls an all-nighter to save the launch, the manager who bends the rules to get the deal done. We call them heroes and give them awards. But what if their heroics are actually masking the real problem? In this episode, Dave Borzillo breaks down the Hero Trap, the seductive feedback loop where individual sacrifice quietly prevents organizations from fix...

Agilists are perfectly positioned to be entrepreneurs—if they can get out of their own way. 🚀 In this episode of Better Ways of Working, Dave Borzillo sits down with Chris G. Williams to discuss "Forge Genesis," a program designed to take the leadership principles of Agile and apply them to starting businesses, side hustles, or becoming more intrapreneurial within your current organization. Chris...

Is Your Agile Transformation Just Agile Theater? 🎭 We have all seen it: A leader launches dozens of Scrum teams, but the underlying system remains the same. 🛑 The result is often that the system eventually fights back and reverts to its old state. In the latest episode of Better Ways of Working, I sat down with Matthew Jacobs , Chief Product Owner at Scrum Inc. , to discuss why most Agile transf...

The real challenge with AI isn’t the tech — it's understanding the problem first I’ve been talking to clients about AI and what strikes me most is how often we leap to the solution before really defining the problem. We get excited about all the shiny applications, but without clarity on the core issue, AI just accelerates mistakes. Rob Broadhead puts it perfectly: AI is not a fix, it’s an amplifi...

Is Agile actually dead, or are we just doing it wrong? I recently sat down with Dr. Kevin Thompson (PhD in Physics from Princeton and former NASA researcher) to dig into why so many organizations struggle to bridge the gap between software agility and hardware reality. Kevin’s journey from Lawrence Livermore labs to pioneering Scrum is a masterclass in pragmatism. We didn’t just talk theory—we got...

Our guest is Dave Prior. He's the host of the podcast Drunken PM Radio. The conversation explores where Agile is going and the impact of technology on project management. We discuss the evolving skills required for the next generation of project managers. It delves into concerns about the potential loss of important skills and the changing landscape of project management in the digital age.

The conversation explores the introduction of scrum in Dutch schools (eduScrum) and the emphasis on responsible use and critical thinking in AI education. Takeaways Responsible use of AI in education Encouraging critical thinking

The conversation covers Joe Justice's background in inventing agile hardware, his interview at Tesla, challenges in large companies, the concept of skunk works, agile contracting, the Joe DX and Team Launch System, budgeting and contracts in Joe DX, and transparency and fairness in companies. The key takeaways include the concept of agile hardware and the importance of fast iterations in business...

🚀 Embrace the Future of Learning! 🚀 In my latest episode, Dave Westgarth shares his incredible journey of lifelong learning, focusing on AI, data, and cloud technologies. From agile delivery to AI-driven innovation, Dave's insights are a must-hear for anyone looking to stay ahead in the tech world. 🌐 Discover how tools like Miro and Lovable are revolutionizing digital product creation, making i...

A discussion with Marcelo Lopez, Jr about kanban. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empowering people and encouraging open communication in the workplace. It explores the concept of managing the work, not the people, and highlights the need for individuals to feel empowered to speak up about issues affecting their deliverability. Takeaways Empower the people Encourage open communicatio...

Most Agile transformations don’t fail in delivery. They fail at procurement. Teams move fast. Contracts don’t. That gap quietly kills momentum. Backlogs flow—until sourcing, legal, and vendors pull everything back into a months-long, document-driven process designed for predictability, not complexity. In my recent conversation with Mirko Kleiner , one of the pioneers of Lean Agile Procurement , I...

Scrum Isn’t a Software Thing It never was. One of the most common objections I hear when talking about Scrum goes something like this: “Sure, Scrum works in software—but you can’t use it in construction .” That belief sounds reasonable. It’s also wrong. In my latest podcast episode, I sat down with Felipe Engineer-Manriquez , who has been quietly proving that wrong for nearly two decades —using Sc...

If you’ve been applying to job after job and hearing nothing back, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it. In my newest episode with Marcelo, we unpack what job seekers are really experiencing right now, and some of the quotes from our conversation say more than any headline could. “Folks are hurting out there… applied to 1,000 jobs and only got one callback.” That wasn’t an exaggeration....

In this engaging conversation, Marcelo Lopez shares his extensive experience in software development and Agile coaching, discussing the challenges faced in the job market, the evolution of Agile roles, and the importance of leadership in organizations. He highlights the discrepancies in job postings and recruitment processes, emphasizing the need for genuine leadership that transcends titles. The...

When I worked for David Stagney , I learned what leadership during disruption really looks like. Dave believes that innovation doesn’t start with new technology — it starts with people who are willing to challenge assumptions. In this episode he talks about how 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 — 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. That perspective shaped how I lead today. Be...

This time I'm the one interviewed :) Chris from Badass Agile and I discuss Forge Genesis. Checkout Badass Agile . I discuss the product that I've been working on and I'm excited to share with all of you. It's a guide that will help you have better meetings. My new guide, Better Meetings , is available for free with promo code BADASSAGILE at badassagile.betterwaysofworking.com Get full access to Be...

In this conversation, Dave and Hoz explore the principles of Agile, emphasizing the importance of customer focus, mindset, and leadership in successful Agile transformations. They discuss the launch of Hoz's podcast, Dead Sprint Radio and address common misconceptions about Agile practices. The dialogue highlights the need for real-world applications of Agile principles and the responsibility of A...

In this conversation, Dave and Chris from @BadassAgile explore the concept of breaking traditional rules in the workplace, particularly within Agile practices. They emphasize the importance of following principles over strict adherence to rules, advocating for adaptability and creativity in team dynamics. The discussion highlights the need for effective meeting facilitation and the value of unders...

In this installment I talk about the big things that are coming. More guests and interviews. More ways to help you with better ways of working. I’m excited that this Friday April 18, 2025 I’m giving a Lightening Talk on Maven.com. It’s free, join me! Sign up using this link . I’m also hosting a cohort where we’ll learn how to visually collaborate together. Join me at Friday’s Lightening Talk to le...

In this conversation, Dave and Nancy discuss effective communication strategies for teams, particularly in the context of remote and hybrid work environments. They explore various communication channels, the importance of face-to-face interactions, establishing meeting norms, and the preparation required for successful meetings. Nancy shares insights on managing dominant personalities in meetings...

I recently connected with Chris Williams from the Badass Agile Podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of Agile jobs, the challenges faced by Agile practitioners, and the importance of demonstrating value to leadership in organizations. Thanks for reading Better Ways of Working! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Better Ways of Working at bwow.substac...

I’ve helped many agile/scrum teams over the years. In this episode I go over a few stories that stand out in my mind regarding those with Product Owner accountabilities. These are inspired by true stories :) Any of these are similar with any of you? Any other stories? Share in the comments! Get full access to Better Ways of Working at bwow.substack.com/subscribe

In 10 minutes I went from an idea for an app to having a prototype I can test. In this video I discuss how to use Perplexity for research and Bolt.new to generate the prototype. Is this process how we’ll develop apps from now on? Get full access to Better Ways of Working at bwow.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Dave and Q explore the evolving landscape of Agile methodologies, the impact of AI on these practices, and the critical role of leadership in navigating these changes. They emphasize the importance of collaboration, the need to focus on delivering value to customers, and the challenges posed by outdated management practices. The discussion highlights the necessity of simplify...

In this conversation, Dave and Q discuss the significance of the daily scrum, emphasizing its role in enhancing team collaboration and productivity. They address common misconceptions about daily standups, highlighting the importance of effective communication and the responsibilities of team members, including the Scrum Master. The discussion underscores that these meetings are not merely status...