The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler How to Give Feedback That Actually Transforms People! Curious how to give feedback that truly inspires change and growth? Let’s dive into a simple method that makes all the difference. Hello Reader, it has been a very busy week for me. I had the honor to co-facilitate an amazing 5-day workshop for global leaders from all over the world. It's awesome to see people change so dramatically in just a few days. This leadership program is in its 22nd year now and it...
8 days ago • 3 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler Story Point Abuse: Stop It! Are you ready to put an end to the chaos of story point abuse that’s wreaking havoc on your agile team? Hello Reader, let's talk story point estimations today – and it's common abuses. But before we start, here are some related articles you might have missed: Unlock agile velocity The truth about user stories Mastering deadlines with agile methods Story Point Abuse: Stop It! Alright, we need to talk about something that’s been...
16 days ago • 5 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler Slow Down to Speed Up: Why Observation is the Secret Weapon of Successful Agile Coaching Rushing into change can feel like progress, but what if it’s actually setting you up for failure? Discover why the most effective agile coaches know that slowing down, observing, and understanding are the keys to driving meaningful, lasting transformation. Hello Reader, last week we talked about velocity. In the past we covered many other agile concepts from XP and Scrum:...
22 days ago • 15 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler Understanding and Mastering Agile Velocity Curious about how to use velocity to boost your team’s delivery without burning them out? Dive into this guide to discover how velocity can be your secret weapon for sustainable, predictable progress in agile—while avoiding the common pitfalls that trip up even seasoned pros! Hello Reader, in the last three weeks we went through various agile topics: How to motivate people The Boss-Worker Game (for premium...
29 days ago • 18 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler What is a User Story, Really? User stories aren’t just about writing down requirements—they’re about sparking conversations that keep the focus on the user’s needs and empower teams to find the best solutions. Discover the true essence of user stories this week. Hello Reader, in the last couple of weeks you already learned about a few agile games I play with companies around the globe: The Boss-Worker game: A must-try for agile coaches and leaders Real...
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler How to teach managing self-managing teams? Nobody likes to be told what to do. But how to get managers to trust teams more? It's hard to change a command-and-control mindset to one that empowers teams and supports agility. I love to play a game with leaders that gives them a feel for the change in leadership style and the impact it can have. Hello Reader, thanks for reading my weekly articles on agility, innovation and leadership. If you want to support me,...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler How to motivate people: Autonomy, mastery & purpose How can we motivate people? Does money work? No! But what works then? Let's look at the research. Hello Reader, today I want to talk about motivation – especially about how it does NOT work, and what you can do better.Before we start, here are a few recent Agile Compass articles you might have missed: Why managing dependencies is dangerous, and how to do it better How to get started building trust in teams...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler Real Lessons on Teamwork from the Marshmallow Challenge Ever thought that a marshmallow could teach you a thing or two about building effective teams? Wondering why kindergarteners outperform business students? Let's talk about collaboration, iterative development and embracing failure. Hello Reader, last week we talked about innovation and how it is often misunderstood by outsiders. This week we'll tackle team dynamics again. But we also stick with the...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
The Agile Compass Matthias Orgler Why Not Understanding the Cybertruck is a Management Problem This article isn’t about Tesla. It’s about leadership, innovation, and why too many managers fail to grasp the essence of how innovation really works. Hello Reader, last time I talked about the Personal History exercise as a wonderful tool to start building trust in teams. Today I want to tackle the challenge of innovation. Innovation is tricky. We often create specific innovation labs or innovation...
2 months ago • 4 min read