"Metaphors are how we make sense of the world." - Shaun Hotchkiss In this week's episode we discuss the usage of metaphor in our world...we typically default to "mechanical" metaphors when referencing our organizations, but would we be better served by using an organic metaphor instead?  This is the first in a series where we discuss changing the semantics of business to a biological frame of reference to reframe how we create organizational change.  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!

Metaphors Matter: Mechanics or Doctors, part 1

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This week we have a chat with James Gifford who recently authored a post on LinkedIn regarding how we view maturity in our organizations.  Is chasing a more "mature" organization really the direction we should be moving in?  Or would it make more sense to orient around builidng capabilities?  Listen in and find out what we think! 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!

AU Unscripted: Capability Building versus Maturity

In this episode of the Agile Uprising Podcast, Andy Cleff digs into the topic of team engagement, health, and happiness. Whether you're a team leader, a team member, or someone passionate about organizational culture, this episode is packed with actionable insights that promise to enhance your approach to employee and team engagement.  Episode Highlights:  Understanding Team Engagement: Andy explores the nuances between engagement and mere happiness, emphasizing the importance of resilience and an experimental mindset in cultivating a thriving team environment. Insightful Data and Metrics: Learn about various creative data gathering approaches inspired by models like the Spotify Health Check and Crisp's Happiness Index. These tools are not just about numbers; they're catalysts for meaningful change. Real-Life Success Stories: Get inspired by stories of teams who have successfully navigated challenges by implementing innovative engagement strategies, from revamping DevOps practices to fostering a culture of recognition and appreciation.   Key Takeaways:  Engagement is more than just happiness; it's about creating conditions that foster a healthy, resilient team ready to tackle challenges. Metrics and feedback loops are essential but should be tailored to fit your team's unique context and needs. Cultivating a safe-to-fail environment is crucial for continuous improvement and innovation.  Links:  Gallop Q12:  Blog Post with Idea Starters  Team Mood App   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!

Cultivating Team Engagement: Metrics, Models, and Experiments

Are you ready to transform your team's communication dynamics? Dive into this episode of the Agile Uprising podcast, where host Andy Cleff explores using David Kantor's four-player model to cultivate continuous improvement in high-performing teams. In This Episode:  Overview of the Four-Player Model: Learn about the mover, follower, opposer, and bystander roles and how each contributes to or hinders team collaboration. Interactive Team Exercise: Andy walks through a retrospective exercise designed to help team members identify and adopt different communication styles, enhancing understanding and flexibility. Sustained Improvement Strategies: Gain insights on integrating these concepts into your team’s daily interactions through deliberate practice and feedback.  Whether you're leading a development squad or coaching an executive leadership team, understanding and applying these concepts can lead to more effective and collaborative environments.  Key Takeaways:  Balanced team dynamics lead to better decision-making Conscious role adoption can build empathy and self-awareness Continuous practice and commitment are crucial for lasting improvement  Ready to Stretch Your Team’s Communication Muscles? Give the retrospective exercise a try and experience first hand the impact of balanced communication styles. Deeper Dive into the Four Player Model and Full Retro Details:    For info on Kantor and his body of work, see   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!

Stretching Team Communication Muscles with the Kantor Four-Player Model

In this episode of the Agile Uprising podcast, Andy Cleff, Chris Murman, and Jesper Ørting delve into a discussion on the concept of greed, in the context of organizational dynamics as well as personal growth. This episode marks the seventh and final installment in , focusing on how these vices manifest in professional settings, especially within the agile community. Video Version, with closed captioning:   Episode Highlights:  Understanding Greed: Chris Murman kicks off the episode with a deep dive into the definition of greed, describing it as an unhealthy desire for accumulating wealth, possessions, or status. The conversation explores how this manifests in various professional environments, particularly within the agile community. Greed vs. Envy: Jesper Ørting shares insights on the subtle differences between greed and envy, drawing on previous discussions from the series. The dialogue illuminates how these emotions interplay and drive behaviors in corporate settings. The Impact of Greed: The episode doesn't shy away from discussing the darker implications of greed, such as conflict and unethical decision-making. However, it also contemplates the potential for positive outcomes when greed is channeled appropriately. Cultural Perspectives: Jesper provides a fascinating comparison of societal attitudes towards success and communal responsibility in Denmark versus the United States, sparking a broader discussion on the balance between personal ambition and social welfare.   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!

Greed, The Seventh Deadly Sin of Agile Transformation

This week we sit down for an unscripted conversation around "change management."  Why is the first excuse when a change fails "we need more/better/gooder change management!"?  Why isn't everyone responsible for managing change?  And also, isn't this just good communications and transparency?  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!

Metaphors Matter: Mechanics or Doctors, part 1

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