KatAnu Connect Podcast

Join Kate Megaw, Ryan Smith, and returning guest Anu Smalley as they dive deep into relational leadership - one of the eight domains of the Leadership Growth Wheel.  Discover why the myth of heroic leadership is holding organizations back and learn the three essential skills every leader needs: emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and conflict management.  From Viktor Frankl's wisdom about the space between stimulus and response to practical tips on building authentic relationships across teams, this episode challenges traditional leadership models and shows you how to lead through influence, not authority.  Perfect for leaders at any level who want to move beyond being a single point of failure and start building networks of empowered people around them.

Self-organizing teams.

It sounds simple. You give the team a goal, you create space for them to figure out how to achieve it, and then you get out of the way.

In reality, very few teams achieve this level of autonomy, ownership, and creativity. And many organizations inadvertently sabotage the effort—while believing they’re practicing Agile.

True self-organization isn’t a default setting. It requires a deliberate culture shift, leadership behaviors that reinforce team empowerment, and a commitment to creating safety for experimentation and learning.

Unconscious bias shows up whether we invite it or not—and it can quietly shape our decisions, conversations, and team dynamics.  In this episode, we explore the hidden forces that drive behavior, from blind spots and implicit assumptions to the impact of bias on facilitation, leadership, hiring, and innovation.  Learn how to spot the patterns, challenge the defaults, and build awareness that leads to better outcomes for teams and organizations.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most frequently asked—and misunderstood—facilitation challenges: How do you remain neutral without sounding like a robot?  Whether you're a Scrum Master, leader, coach, or facilitator, neutrality matters—but it doesn’t mean disengagement.  We unpack seven strategies to help you guide teams, encourage innovation, and create space for diverse perspectives—all while keeping your humanity (and your humor).

Too many teams are stuck in execution mode—taking orders and building features exactly as outlined. But what if your developers, designers, and product owners had the psychological safety, ownership, and space to contribute bold new ideas?

In this episode, Kate and Ryan dive into the often-overlooked topic of ideation within Scrum teams. They explore what it takes to shift from passive delivery to active co-creation, sharing real-world examples of how empowered teams improve both product outcomes and team engagement.

In this episode of the Arclight Agile podcast, hosts Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith join special guest Anu Smalley to explore the strategic leadership domain of the Leadership Growth Wheel.  They discuss how effective leaders align organizational vision and values with daily operations, implement human-centered change management, and develop consistent decision-making frameworks—all while keeping team engagement at the forefront.

Agile teams don't usually plan to return to waterfall ways of working — it happens slowly and subtly. In this episode, Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith unpack the signs that a team is sliding back toward waterfall, why it happens, and most importantly, what leaders and teams can do to course-correct. Learn how to stay true to Agile principles even when organizational pressure, leadership turnover, and old habits start pulling you backward.

In this episode, Kate and Ryan Sith dive into a critical (but often overlooked) topic in product development: losing sight of the user. They share real-world experiences of how teams can unintentionally start designing for internal stakeholders instead of external customers, how “shiny object syndrome” from leadership derails sprints, and why strong product ownership is essential. Together, they explore practical ways to reconnect teams with their users — from leveraging personas to involving real customers in reviews — and why keeping users at the center is vital for truly Agile delivery. A must-listen for anyone in product development, Agile coaching, or leadership roles!

What’s the real difference between accountability and ownership—and why does it matter so much in leadership and teams?  In this episode, Kate and Ryan unpack the often-blurred lines between these two powerful concepts.  From missed healthcare appointments to product backlog chaos, they share real stories, relatable moments, and practical insights on how to build a culture where people step up, follow through, and own the outcomes—not just the tasks.  Whether you're a team member, manager, or executive, this episode will challenge how you think about responsibility, initiative, and impact.

In this episode of the Team KatAnu podcast, hosts Kate and Ryan sit down with Anu Smalley to unpack the concept of self-leadership—a foundational pillar in their Leadership Growth Wheel framework. With personal stories, practical tips, and thoughtful reflection, the trio explores the power of self-awareness, personal vision, and personal mastery. Whether you're just discovering your purpose or realigning after years in the workforce, this conversation offers insight and inspiration for anyone ready to lead from within.