#126 Agile: Alive and Evolving with Arie van Bennekum

"We don't do the thinking for you—we surface signals out of the noise."In this episode of Mastering Agility, Sander and Jim sit down with Becky Flint, CEO and Co-Founder of Dragon Boat, to discuss the importance of strategic agility and value-driven product management. Becky shares her journey from working at PayPal to founding Dragon Boat, a product portfolio management platform. She highlights how modern organizations can thrive by aligning strategy with execution and enabling empowered, decentralized teams.Get in touch with Becky:(31) Becky Flint | LinkedInModern SPM Platform for Product Operating Model | DragonboatCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"When people say Agile is dead, most of them have never seen it really working."In this insightful episode, Sander sits down with Arie van Bennekum, one of the co-authors of the Agile Manifesto, to discuss the current state of Agile, common misconceptions, and the evolving nature of agile practices in modern organizations. Arie shares his thoughts on why Agile is far from dead and how many organizations still struggle to truly implement it. They also discuss the importance of leadership in agile transformations and how to anchor agile practices for long-term success.Connect with Arie:Arie van Bennekum Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Radhika Dutt, the mind behind Radical Product Thinking. Radhika challenges the conventional wisdom of product development, explaining why big, vague visions, shallow strategies, and blind iteration often lead teams astray. She introduces us to the Radical Product Thinking framework, which helps teams avoid common "product diseases" like HERO Syndrome, Pivotitis, and Obsessive Sales Disorder.We also discuss the dangers of Silicon Valley’s "fail fast" mentality, how to balance vision vs. survival, and why spreadsheet-driven prioritization can be misleading. Plus, Radhika gives us a sneak peek into her next book on rethinking metrics, OKRs, and goal-setting—challenging another widely accepted business practice.Connect with Radhika:(22) Radhika Dutt | LinkedInContact | Radical Product ThinkingCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this gripping episode, Sander and Jim sit down with Arjan Erkel, who shares his harrowing experience of being kidnapped and held hostage for 607 days in Dagestan. Arjan walks us through the terrifying moment of his abduction, the psychological battles he faced in captivity, and the resilience that helped him survive. He also discusses his remarkable mindset shift, the unexpected relationships he built with his captors, and how he reclaimed his life after being freed.Beyond his personal story, Arjan sheds light on his work with Free a Girl, an organization dedicated to rescuing children from sexual exploitation. We also dive into what businesses and individuals can learn from his experiences—resilience, adaptability, and the power of taking small steps in difficult situations.Support Free a Girl!The Free a Girl foundation, has already rescued over 8,000 children from sexual exploitation. Join the mission by donating, spreading awareness, or supporting the Paperclip Challenge to raise $100K.🌍 Learn more & donate: Free a Girl💡 Support the Paperclip Challenge: Help us trade up from a guitar and amplifier to $100K to support this cause. You have something to trade? Reach out to us via [email protected]!Connect with Arjan📖 Book: Held Hostage – [Available on Amazon]🌐 Website: ArjanErkel.com🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjanerkel/Connect with Mastering Agility📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear this inspiring story!Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Jim sits down with Tammy Gretz, an Agile and Design Thinking coach based in Central Ohio. They dive deep into the nuances of coaching, the value of curiosity and partnership, and how these concepts relate to agile methodologies and design thinking. They also touch on topics like personal growth, learning through experimentation, and even the art of baking sourdough bread as a metaphor for empiricism and patience in agile practices.Connect with TammyTammy Gretz(30) Tamara Gretz | LinkedInCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

💡 Description:In this thought-provoking episode of Mastering Agility, Jim and Marge sit down with Phil Agnew, host of the UK’s #1 marketing podcast, Nudge. Together, they explore the fascinating world of behavioral science, revealing how subtle nudges shape our decisions, from marketing campaigns to everyday life.Discover the psychology behind why we choose one option over another, the ethical considerations of influence, and how businesses (and individuals) can apply these principles for positive change. Whether it’s anchoring on menus, using loss aversion to boost performance, or avoiding the pitfalls of overused marketing tricks, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples.🔑 What You’ll Learn:The role of behavioral science in marketing and decision-making.Why ethical influence is more critical than ever.How businesses and individuals can use nudges to drive behavior.The power of anchoring, loss aversion, and social proof.Surprising examples of influence—from handwritten notes to painted flies on urinals!Connect with Phill on LinkedIn: (10) Phill Agnew | LinkedInCheck out Phill's podcast Nudge: Nudge PodcastCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgScanAgile 2025 - ScanAgileHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this reflective and inspiring year-end episode of Mastering Agility, hosts Sander Dur and Jim Sammons are joined by "Solving For Value" co-author and "evil twin" Ryan Brook, along with editor extraordinaire Marge Scheuerer, for a conversation about leadership, agility, and the ever-elusive definition of success.From personal growth in 2024 to the challenges of balancing work and personal satisfaction - this episode dives deep into what it means to be a leader, a consultant, and, above all, human. With topics ranging from the over-certification of Scrum Masters to giving back through charitable work, this episode is packed with humor, introspection, and actionable insights for leaders and agile practitioners alike.Why not all Scrum Masters are created equal.The importance of balancing career ambitions with personal fulfillment.What it means to be a leader versus a manager.The evolving definition of “enough” in life and work.Pro bono work and giving back to the community.How to create personalized approaches to learning and leadership.The joys of being authentic—and the challenges it brings.Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgScanAgile 2025 - ScanAgileConnect with Ryan:Optilearn | Scrum Training That You Can Trust(9) Ryan Brook | LinkedInGet Solving For Value:Solving for Value - Mastering AgilityHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description:In this episode, Sander and Jim dive deep into the art and science of feedback. Joined by James De Mulder, they explore the nuances of giving and receiving feedback, its role in personal and team growth, and the challenges that come with it. Learn how principles from Nonviolent Communication (NVC) can transform feedback into a powerful tool for connection and collaboration. Plus, discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you refine your feedback skills.💡 What You'll Learn:Why feedback is about connection, not criticism.How to use the four components of Nonviolent Communication in feedback.Tips for delivering feedback that resonates and empowers.The importance of timing and context in feedback conversations.How managers can foster psychological safety and trust within teams.Practical applications of AI for practicing and improving feedback deliveryConnect with James on LinkedIn: (9) James De Mulder | LinkedInCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this conversation, Jim talks to Sander, and Ryan about their book 'Solving for Value', exploring its motivations, tone, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in consultancy. They delve into the complexities of work relationships, the significance of critical thinking, and the shared struggles many face in their professional lives. The discussion also touches on the challenges of measuring success beyond monetary ROI and the personal reflections that come with being business owners, culminating in a light-hearted exchange about their favorite holiday movies. In this engaging conversation, Jim, Sander and Ryan discuss a variety of themes ranging from holiday movie favorites to the impact of social media and nostalgia. They discuss the allure of big cities, the dangers of apathy in the workplace, and the importance of critical thinking. The conversation wraps up with reading recommendations and reflections on the writing process. Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Refinement is about gathering enough information to get started, not pre-cooking the entire task."In this episode of Mastering Agility, Jim and Sander explore the concept of Refinement in agile teams, discussing its purpose in creating shared understanding, adding details, and aligning on goals. Refinement isn’t about perfect planning but ensuring teams have enough information to start effectively. The hosts highlight the evolving role of the product owner, the importance of continuous communication, and practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls like over-refinement and meeting overload. Their key advice: focus on the five W’s and the how, empower teams to take ownership, and maintain flexibility in the refinement process.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.