Xpde keynote

1

Resolving Resistanceto Change

Rachel Davies

A bit about me

• Software developer

• Agile since 2000

• CSM in 2003

• Author of “Agile Coaching”

• Conference organizerAgile Coaches Gathering,XP2011, etc

2

Agile Coach

helps teams grow strong in Agile practice

A coach supports teamrather than setting direction

Agile Coach

3

Coaching is about Change

To improve we must change!

Change Across

Individuals

Teams

Organization

4

Expect Resistance to Change

Satir Change Curve

Why do people resist Change?

This team is using old tools

How can you influence them to change?

5

No time to improve!

Demonstrate Another Way?

6

Author: J. Richard Hackman

Many books aboutCoaching are aboutcoaching individuals.Hackman’s book coverscoaching teams.

Hackman ExplainsThree kinds of coaching intervention:

• Motivational - improves effort by minimizingfree riding and building shared commitment

• Consultative - improves process by reducingthoughtless habits and fostering invention basedon situation

• Educational - improves knowledge and skillYou can combine these!

7

Consider Resistance as aResource

Article: Dale Emeryhttp://dhemery.com/articles/resistance_as_a_resource/

Dig Deeper

8

Listening

Listening

Why must a coach listen?

• Show respect• Gather data• Learn feelings/opinions• Encourage• …?

9

Big Picture Focus

Step up to see big picture

Force Field Analysis

Desired change from current state

10

Force Field Analysis

Remove barriers and amplify forces for change

Prepare the Ground

Create anenvironment forthe team to growtheir own agilepractice.

11

What do we really want?

Being Agile is not usually the real goal

Share the Vision

12

Identify concerns

Make blockers visible

Visible Feedback

• Help the team makeinformation concerningtheir work more visible– Passing tests– User satisfaction– Value delivered– Work-in-progress limits

13

Reduce Work-In-Progress Limits

Example of Kanban board (at BBCW)

Be an Example

Show how

14

Ask for Help

Encourage experiments

Try it out

15

29

Encourage Ideas

Ask the team howthey would solvethe problems

Consider more thanone solution!

Go with the energy of the team

What do the team want to try?

16

Working Agreements

Start the project with a workshop to agree howthe team wants to work together.

• Make agreements

• Keep them

• Review when they are broken

Build Trust

T = (C + R + I ) / SWhere:

T = Trust

C = Credibility

R = Reliability

I = Intimacy

S = Self-orientationBook: “The Trusted Advisor” by Maister, Green, & Galford

17

Be Patient

Change takes time

Further Reading

• “Agile Coaching” by Rachel Davies & Liz Sedley• “Resistance as a Resource” by Dale Emery

http://dhemery.com/articles/resistance_as_a_resource/

• Virginia Satir talks about Status Quohttp://web.me.com/sbuckbee1/Satirs_Process_of_Change/Status_Quo.html

• “Succeeding with Agile” by Mike Cohn• “The Trusted Advisor” by David Maister• “Managing Transitions” by William Bridges• “Fearless Change” by Linda Rising and Mary Lynn Manns• “Leading Teams” by Richard Hackman

18

Contact Me

Email: [email protected]: rachelcdaviesBlog: http://agilecoach.typepad.com/