I Am Stepping Away from the Agile Movement
It is with a mix of nostalgia and solemn reflection that I share this decision: I am officially stepping away from my active participation in the Agile movement as it exists today.
This choice, while deeply personal, is not made lightly. It marks the end of a chapter that has profoundly shaped my professional journey, from working alongside pioneers like Mike Beedle to building Agile Lounge®, where I sought to uphold the original spirit of Agile.
In my blogs and podcasts, including “Death of an Agile Coach” and “End of Agile,” among other paper and podcasts, I have voiced my concerns about the direction the movement has taken. What was once a beacon of simplicity, collaboration, and continuous improvement now feels burdened by industrialization, rigid frameworks, and an overemphasis on certification rather than substance.
When I first joined this journey, Agile was a promise. It was a call to empower people, foster genuine collaboration, and deliver meaningful value through empiricism and adaptability. I believed—and still believe—that these principles have the power to transform not only organizations but also the lives of those who work within them.
Yet over time, that promise seems to have drifted. Too often, what we see today is a far cry from the original vision. Agile has become, in many cases, a codified industry focused on compliance rather than outcomes. Its humanistic and empirical roots seem overshadowed by bureaucracy and dogma.
In stepping away, I am not abandoning the core values of Agile. On the contrary, I am reclaiming them. My energy will now be directed toward initiatives that embody those values without the weight of institutional conformity. For me, Agile is not about adhering to a specific framework; it’s about embracing a mindset of simplicity, authenticity, and value-driven action.
To those who continue on this path, I offer my sincere respect. The journey ahead is not without challenges, but the potential for meaningful change remains vast if we stay true to Agile’s founding principles.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. From clients and colleagues to the vibrant Agile and Scrum people who walk the talk, you have enriched my vision and deepened my understanding.
As I step away from the movement, I do so with gratitude—and a commitment to carry the spirit of Agile, and more over Business Agility, into new horizons.
Sincerely,
Alexandre Frédéric Joly
Founder and Principal Consultant, Agile Lounge® by AFJ Solutions Inc.
©2025 All right reserved.
Onward 2025 – I am Leaving the Agile Movement, was a Special evening livestream Podcast to mark one of my biggest transition in Business!
This is Dare Real Agile Podcast Episode 66.
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