In this episode of the Agile Uprising podcast, host Andy Cleff chats with Simon Holzapfel about how humans organized and learned together before industrial-age practices disrupted our natural patterns.  Through examples from anthropology, biology, and neuroscience, they explore what ancient societies and our own biology can teach us about effective collaboration at scale. The conversation challenges common assumptions about organizational hierarchy and control, suggesting that agile principles aren't new inventions, but rather a rediscovery of how humans naturally work and learn together.  For leaders and change agents, this episode offers practical steps toward creating organizations that work with, rather than against, human nature. Contact Info Related shows: Sociocracy-related Read More: About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail!

When you find yourself drowning in change metrics and conflicting feedback from multiple transformation initiatives, how do you make sense of it all? Join Agile Uprising Host Andy Cleff and his guest Patrick Verdonk as they explore why traditional change frameworks alone aren't enough in today's complex organizations.  Patrick, an experienced change facilitator and author of "", shares insights from his research and practical experience on how different change models interact and influence each other. Using Nokia's transformation journey as a backdrop, they discuss how change agents can better recognize and interpret signals that indicate the need for change, avoid common pitfalls, and make sense of complexity. Whether you're an agile coach, transformation leader, or change practitioner, you'll leave with practical approaches for navigating organizational change and understanding the ripple effects of transformation initiatives. Learn how to move beyond single-framework solutions and develop a more nuanced understanding of change in complex environments. Key topics include: Moving beyond traditional change frameworks Understanding how different change models interact Practical approaches to sensemaking in organizations Recognizing and interpreting signals of change Real-world lessons from Nokia's transformation journey Contact Info: Grab the book:  Related shows:  About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail!

In this Agile Uprising pod, Andy Cleff welcomes back Gene Gendel to dive deep into what true product orientation means beyond surface-level changes. Gene unpacks common misconceptions about product-centric organizations and explores the 'productization saga' - where companies relabel components without meaningful structural change. The conversation examines how work breakdown, team structure, and budgeting practices impact genuine product focus, offering practical insights for organizations seeking authentic transformation. Contact Info LinkedIn: Twitter:  Website:  Meetup Community (main): YouTube Channel: Related shows:  (2023) (2021) (2019) (2021) About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail! Related Visuals

Join host Andy Cleff and his guest Dr. Steve Martin, author of "" for an honest and often humorous exploration of the journey from management to true leadership.  Drawing on his diverse background - from Disney cast member to Fortune 100 consultant - Steve shares practical insights on how to impact behavior, build trust, and empower teams.  Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll discover why managing isn't just about what you do, but how you shape the environment around you.  Plus, find out what marathon running can teach us about sustainable leadership practices. #Leadership #OrganizationalChange #TeamDynamics #Management #trust #PsychologicalSafety #Empowerment #Accountability Links Contact Info LinkedIn: Website: (docstevemartin.com) Book link: (Print/Kindle) Related shows:  (2024) (2017) (2024) (2024)

In this Agile Uprising pod, co-hosts Andy Cleff and Jay Hrcsko chat with Gene Gendel about how HR policies and financial structures can either enable or constrain organizational agility. Gene shares insights from decades of experience helping organizations navigate the challenges of traditional performance management and budgeting practices. Drawing from his work as an 'Agile Theater Recovery Specialist,' Gene explores why these organizational structures are critical starting points for meaningful transformation and how leaders can begin turning potential constraints into enablers of change. Contact Info LinkedIn: Twitter:  Website:  Meetup Community (main): YouTube Channel: Related shows  (2023) (2021) (2019) (2021) Additional Info Closing Music: Orcs Loop by  is licensed under a . About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail! Related Visuals

This week Jay goes solo to talk about something that's been on his mind lately...cathedrals.  If you've got an open mind you might get something out of this one.  Enjoy. If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail!

Join Andy Cleff, Claudia Orozco-Gomez, Mike Cadell, and MG as they dive deep into the nuances of conflict in work settings. Their conversation explores how to recognize different types of conflict, distinguish between healthy and unhealthy disagreement, and navigate cultural differences in global teams. The panel share practical insights on creating effective working agreements, the importance of timing in addressing conflicts, and techniques for facilitating difficult conversations. Whether you're a team coach uncomfortable with conflict or a leader managing remote, hybrid or colocated teams, this episode offers valuable strategies for turning bad conflict into constructive dialogue. "Learn More" Links & Resources ORSC - 4 Team Toxins, 4 horsemen Clean feedback (evidence, inference, impact) & Clean questions (What would you like to have happen?) - including communication style and behaviors in conflict/disagreement (Self-reflection) About the Agile Uprising Closing tunes: "All Conflict All The Time" by  is licensed under a .> If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail!

In this Uprising Podcast episode hosted by Andy Cleff, Michael "Mad Dog" Dougherty and Pete "OK" Oliver-Krueger discuss their new book "Shift from Product to People" - a novel exploring the third wave of agile adoption. Through rich character development inspired by real people and the Enneagram personality system, they illustrate how organizations struggle even after implementing agile practices and DevOps. Mike and Pete reveal why focusing on frameworks and processes alone isn't enough, sharing their vision of people-first transformation. They discuss the evolution from individual team agility (Wave 1) through scaled frameworks (Wave 2) to their proposed third wave - returning focus to people while solving real organizational problems. Drawing from their extensive consulting experience, Mad Dog and OK explore how the consulting industry's obsession with frameworks has sometimes overshadowed the human element that makes agile truly effective. They also preview their next two books that will complete the trilogy, including "Shift from Products to Problems." Key Topics: The three waves of agile adoption Why organizations fail despite "doing all the right things" Using the Enneagram for authentic character development The future of agile in a post-framework world Balancing people focus with business outcomes Links Book/Kindle Contact Info Websites Previous Episodes Jan 24, 2021: Jan 16, 2022: Jan 30 2022: Related Podcasts: ) (2018) (2021) (2021) Closing Tunes: Your Brains by  is licensed under a . About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail! AU Merch:

A release of one of our favorites from about this time 5 years ago… just as relevant today! Chris Murman and Colleen Johnson sit down with Esther Derby to discuss Esther's book 7 Rules for Positive, Productive Change.  (With a special guest appearance by Izzie, the french bulldog.) Topics include: Getting unstuck… gaining fresh perspectives… embracing change… addressing "fatigue".. seeing the system Enjoy! About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail!

In this Agile Uprising podcast, Andy Cleff chats with Bob Anderson, Chief Executive Officer | Co-Founder of  and co-author of and They explore the intersections between leadership and personal mastery, between competence and consciousness, and how organizations can achieve extraordinary performance at scale through the personal transformation of leaders - from reactive, to creative, to integral and beyond. #consciousleadership #leadershipdevelopment (Orginally released Nov 17, 2019) Links Books About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you’d like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you’d like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail!