The Art of Saying “No” to Stakeholders

Focus on Outcomes, Not Outputs Let’s be honest… How often have you sat in a planning meeting, tossing around numbers, trying to guess how long something might take… all while secretly knowing reality will probably say otherwise? If you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or manager, chances are this is your weekly routine. In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on why organizations cling so tightly to estimates. Are they actually helping us deliver better products — or are they just giving leaders a false sense of control and security? We’ll unpack the hidden reasons why teams over-rely on estimation, how this habit can distort priorities, and what we might lose when we treat estimates like promises instead of just data points. But more importantly, we’ll explore smarter alternatives: ways to build trust, improve forecasting, and make real progress—without obsessing over point precision. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on estimation. You'll learn how to spot when estimates become more about comfort than clarity—and how to guide your team and stakeholders toward more meaningful conversations about delivery, flow, and outcomes. Timeline 01:44 Estimates as a Comfort Blanket 02:19 Why Plans Fall Apart 03:08 Cause and Effect Doesn’t Work That Way 03:55 Wishful Thinking and Real-World Chaos 04:20 Why Teams Still Love Estimates 04:57 The Data Doesn’t Lie 06:00 The Cost of Waiting 06:23 Project Management Is Broken 06:52 Enter NoEstimates 07:23 Focus on Outcomes, Not Outputs 07:50 Think Like an Investor 08:10 Fund Teams, Not Work Items 08:37 Forecast with Flow, Not Fantasy 09:24 Try This With Your Own Data 10:05 The NoEstimates Mindset Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Unlock Team Performance Ever feel like your team should be performing better — but no matter how many stand-ups, retros, or team-building sessions you run, something still feels… stuck? Well, what if the real problem isn’t your people, but something invisible building up in the background — something called Collaboration Debt? In today’s episode, we’re diving into this eye-opening concept created by agile coach Axe Grochowina. You’ve probably heard of technical debt — that trade-off between speed and sustainability in code. But Collaboration Debt works the same way… except it’s about how your team works together. We’ll explore: 👉 What Collaboration Debt really is — and why it's a game-changer in understanding team dynamics. 👉 The four hidden forces that quietly block collaboration: broken processes, strained relationships, missing information, and low response capacity. 👉 How this "debt" affects motivation, trust, and psychological safety — and what you can do to start paying it off. You’ll also hear about a practical tool — a simple canvas — that helps teams talk about their collaboration struggles without blame, and start building momentum again. Whether you’re a Scrum Master trying to unblock a stuck team, an Agile Coach guiding transformation, or a manager who just wants to lead more effectively, this episode will give you a powerful new lens to look at your team — and actionable steps to help them thrive. Timeline 00:05 Why This Episode Matters 01:00 What You’ll Learn 01:34 The Big Question That Sparked It All 02:10 The ‘Aha’ Moment: A New Lens on Teamwork 02:40 What Is Collaboration Debt? 03:21 The Four Elements of Collaboration Debt 04:38 Why Response Capacity Is the Silent Alarm 05:11 The Data Behind Disengagement 05:40 A Simple Tool to Spark Real Change 06:10 From Talk to Action: Start Paying Off the Debt Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

How to Get Your Product Owner More Involved During The Sprint? You know the drill. Sprint Planning wraps up, and then… your Product Owner disappears. You’re left without quick feedback, critical decisions are delayed, and the team’s momentum slows down… I admit the similar situation happened to me years ago. So the episode is also a gift for me. In this episode, we’ll explore why this happens and, more importantly, 3 practical ways to bring your Product Owner back into the Agile rhythm — without nagging, micromanaging, or making things awkward. You’ll learn how to: ✨ Initiate honest conversations that actually shift behavior ✨ Use Sprint Reviews as a secret weapon to encourage engagement ✨ Help busy Product Owners transition into a better-fitting role still keeping them in the loop. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to rebuild collaboration, improve feedback loops, and protect your team’s ability to inspect and adapt — the core of any great Agile process. Timeline 00:00 The Vanishing Product Owner Problem 00:29 What You’ll Learn Today 01:03 Why 'Inspect and Adapt' Falls Apart 01:33 When Product Owners Go Missing 02:03 Tip 1: Have a Real Conversation 02:51 Tip 2: Let Them Run the Sprint Demo 03:50 Tip 3: Too Busy? Suggest a Role Change 05:30 Recap: 3 Ways to Re-Engage Your PO Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Biggest Roadblocks to Transformation Whether you're a Scrum Master, product owner, team lead, or Agile coach, you’ve probably experienced that moment when you introduce a new process, tool, or idea — and are met with hesitation, doubt, or even outright pushback. Why does this happen? And more importantly, what can you do about it? In this episode, we’re unpacking the psychology behind change resistance — from fear of the unknown to lack of executive support — and I’ll walk you through a powerful 3-step model that helps you identify where someone is stuck and how to guide them forward. You’ll learn how to: ✨ Spot the real reasons behind resistance (it's not always what it seems), ✨ Build awareness, create desire, and foster ability in your team, ✨ Use practical, real-world strategies to turn skeptics into supporters. By the end, you’ll have a toolkit of actionable tactics to reduce friction and inspire momentum, even in the most change-resistant environments. So if you’re leading change, managing growth, or just trying to push your team in a better direction, this one’s for you. Let’s make change feel a little less scary, and a lot more possible. Timeline 00:19 Have You Ever Faced Resistance? 00:35 Why Change Feels So Hard 01:04 Episode Roadmap 01:54 Common Causes of Resistance 04:15 The ADA Model: Awareness, Desire, Ability 05:35 Stage 1: Building Awareness 06:59 Stage 2: Creating Desire 08:42 Stage 3: Developing Ability 10:12 Recap: Strategy Meets Psychology 11:10 Take Action: Plant A Seed Today Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Culture Matters Have you ever wondered how agile methodologies, so common in Europe and the US, fare in vastly different cultural landscapes? Today, we're going through a fascinating journey to explore just that. In this episode, Joanna invited me to share my unique perspective on the agile landscape in my home country, contrasting it with his experiences working with teams in Central Europe. You might be surprised to learn that agile is not a widely adopted mindset or approach in Taiwan, often limited to some highly profitable industries like gaming, IT, semiconductor, and finance, and even within these, only a small group of people truly understand it. This is a challenge as "planting a rose in a desert," due to prevailing cultural norms such as top-down decision-making structures, a strong emphasis on harmony over direct conflict, and a general resistance to being changed by management**…**. I would get into how specific mindsets can even turn agile best practices into "bad practices" if not applied correctly. By the end of this conversation, you will gain insights into the cultural differences that shape agile adoption across the globe. You'll understand the significant differences in leadership styles, communication patterns, and teamwork approaches between Taiwan and Western countries, highlighting why certain agile practices might flourish in one context but struggle in another…. This episode will provide you with a thought-provoking perspective on adapting agile strategies to diverse cultural environments, equipping you with valuable knowledge for your own coaching journey Refer to the source video: https://youtu.be/SKZs36lVfZs?si=P0-5T25uP4hML9Cc Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Are You Being Changed in Agile Transformation? Change is scary, especially when it comes to agile transformation. Whether you’re a senior developer, a long-time manager, or part of a team new to agile, the shift can feel overwhelming. You might worry that your role will vanish, that planning will go out the window, or that you’ll spend all day in meetings. These fears are common, and you're definitely not alone. In this episode, we’re tackling 5 of the biggest fears people face when transitioning to agile — fears like: 😱 "There’s no time for proper design anymore!" 😱 "Do I have to become a generalist?" 😱 "Will we lose all ability to plan and predict?" 😱 "Are managers still relevant?" 😱 "Why are there so many meetings!?" We’ll unpack each of these concerns and look at what’s really behind them. You’ll discover how agile doesn’t erase your expertise — in fact, it often gives you more clarity, purpose, and flexibility. By the end of this episode, those scary agile “monsters” will look a whole lot smaller — maybe even helpful. So if you’re anxious about agile change — or know someone who is — stay tuned. Let’s turn confusion into confidence, and fear into fuel for growth. Timeline 00:35 Why Agile Feels Like a Haunted House 02:05 Myth 1: No Design in Agile? Think Again 03:42 Myth 2: Do I Have to Be a Generalist? 05:21 Myth 3: Agile Teams Can’t Plan Ahead 07:04 Myth 4: Managers Will Be Replaced 08:06 Myth 5: Agile = Meeting Overload 09:15 The Myths Behind the Mask Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Stop Perfect Estimation Ever feel like your team is stuck in a cycle of chasing the “perfect estimate” — only to end up frustrated, delayed, or worse, losing trust with your stakeholders? You're not alone. In today’s episode of Agile Rocket, we’re going to flip the script on traditional estimation practices. And I’ll show you why striving for perfect estimates often causes more harm than good — leading to padded timelines, procrastination, missed deadlines, and broken trust between teams and leadership. But more importantly, I’ll walk you through 5 practical, real-world solutions that can change the game. You’ll learn: 👉 How to align your team on what estimates actually mean 👉 How to reset unrealistic stakeholder expectations 👉 Why estimating in ranges builds more confidence than single numbers 👉 How being right on average is better than trying to be right every time 👉 And what number sets actually make estimation easier and more useful By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with tools to foster a healthier, more realistic approach to estimation — one that builds trust, boosts delivery, and helps your team focus on what really matters. Timeline 01:01 The Myth of Perfect Estimates 01:35 Miki’s Story 02:46 3 Hidden Dangers of Perfect Estimates 05:11 Solution 1: Align on Estimate Type 06:14 Solution 2: Reset Stakeholder Expectations 08:01 Solution 3: Plan in Ranges, Not Absolutes 08:50 Solution 4: Be Right on Average, Not Every Time 10:12 Solution 5: Choose Smarter Number Sets 10:56 Break Free from Perfection Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The Cost of Inaccurate Agile Pans Let me ask you a quick question: Have you ever shared a realistic project timeline with stakeholders—only to have them roll their eyes, question your judgment, or just ignore it entirely? I bet many of you had the similar experience before. In today’s episode, we’re tackling a problem that quietly erodes team morale and stakeholder relationships: why your team isn’t seen as an equal partner—and how inaccurate planning might be the root of it all. When teams consistently miss deadlines or scramble to meet scope, trust starts to fade. And once credibility is gone, so is collaboration. But here's the good news: trust can be rebuilt—and it starts with fixing one crucial planning mistake. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with two practical, battle-tested techniques that will help you deliver more accurate plans, regain stakeholder confidence, and finally lead those honest, productive conversations about trade-offs and timelines. 👉 First, we’ll explore “Unpacking”—a smarter way to break down and understand the real scope of your work 👉 Then, we’ll dig into “Accounting for the Unknown Backlog”, and why ignoring the hidden 20% of work can sabotage even your best plans So if you’re ready to stop padding estimates, start planning with confidence, and become the kind of Product Owner stakeholders actually listen to—you’re in the right place Timeline 00:00 Why Plans Matter More Than You Think 01:00 The Real Cost of Inaccurate Agile Plans 01:57 When Hope Turns Into Chaos 03:13 The Hidden Damage: Loss of Credibility 04:46 What Trustworthy Teams Do Differently 05:38 The Myth of Plan Padding 06:02 Technique 1: Unpacking for Clarity 07:41 Technique 2: Estimating the Unknown Backlog 10:13 Why Predictable Plans Matter for Everyone 10:58 Do It Now Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Is agile really not about speed? Or have we misunderstood what speed actually means? You’ve probably heard the phrase: “Agile isn’t about going faster, it’s about delivering value.” And while that sounds wise, it can sometimes lead teams into a trap—slowing down in the name of “focus,” while missing the opportunity to build valuable outcomes quickly and effectively. In this episode, we’re going to challenge the idea that speed and value are opposites. You’ll discover why teams that move faster don’t have to become "feature factories" churning out meaningless work—in fact, the best agile teams are the ones that combine speed with purpose. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with: ⭐ A deeper understanding of why speed and value are not in conflict ⭐ A powerful analogy that reshapes how you view agility and delivery ⭐ A mindset shift to help your team develop the right things faster, not just more things If you’re a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, or agile evangelist trying to help your team thrive—this episode is for you. We’ll explore what it really means to be effective, not just efficient, and how your team can embrace a faster pace without sacrificing purpose or quality. Timeline 00:25 Why This Topic Matters 00:49 Agile Misconception: It’s Not About Speed? 01:20 What If Agile Is About Speed? 02:14 Value vs. Speed 03:55 Basketball Analogy: Speed with Purpose 04:31 Why Speed Actually Enables More Value 05:03 Mindset Shift: Rethinking Your Approach 05:34 Training for Speed & Outcomes 06:07 Speed + Value = Agile Success Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Youtube: https://reurl.cc/8D1x94 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Say “No” to Stakeholders Saying “no” might be one of the hardest things you do as a product manager or product owner — not because you don’t know what’s right for the product, but because you’re often navigating tricky power dynamics, competing priorities, and stakeholders who just don’t take “no” for an answer. In this episode. we’re diving into one of the most under-appreciated leadership skills in product development: the art of saying "no" — confidently, respectfully, and effectively. If you've ever felt pressured to agree to every feature request… or struggled to explain why something doesn’t belong on the roadmap… this episode is for you. You’ll discover how to protect your team’s focus and keep your product moving in the right direction — without burning bridges. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with 6 actionable techniques to handle stakeholder requests like a pro — tips you can use today to turn tense conversations into trust-building moments. So grab your headphones, take a deep breath, and let’s learn how “no” can become one of the most powerful tools in your product toolkit. Timeline 01:12 Why Saying “No” Matters in Product Leadership 02:15 The Hidden Cost of Saying “Yes” 03:15 Be Crystal Clear About Your “No” 04:05 Lead with Empathy and Appreciation 04:54 Stick to One Strong Reason 05:44 Anchor in Shared Goals 06:24 Show the Ripple Effects of Saying “Yes” 06:58 Explore Alternative Paths 07:27 Reflect and Practice 07:49 Say “No” to Build Stronger Products 08:18 Takeaway Invitation | Consultancy Now I provide free, 1-1 online consulting service. If you have any agile related problems or project management issues, please reserve a web call with me. I would answer your questions as possible as I could. 👉 Book now: https://calendly.com/uragilecoach/consulting Follow me on other platforms for further updates. 🌟 Substack: https://reurl.cc/04G7yx 🌟 Medium: https://reurl.cc/eXxrnK 🌟 LinkedIn: https://ssur.cc/pgjLNGN 🌟 Podcast: https://reurl.cc/6N284V 🌟 Instagram: https://reurl.cc/8qGkZd 🌟 Twitter: https://reurl.cc/6N2835 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn