1. Resolving Resistance
to Change
Rachel Davies
A bit about me
• Software developer
• Agile since 2000
• CSM in 2003
• Author of “Agile Coaching”
• Conference organizer
Agile Coaches Gathering,
XP2011, etc
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2. Agile Coach
helps teams grow strong in Agile practice
A coach supports team
rather than setting direction
Agile Coach
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3. Coaching is about Change
To improve we must change!
Change Across
Teams
Individuals Organization
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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?
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5. No time to improve!
Demonstrate Another Way?
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6. Author: J. Richard Hackman
Many books about
Coaching are about
coaching individuals.
Hackman’s book covers
coaching teams.
Hackman Explains
Three kinds of coaching intervention:
• Motivational - improves effort by minimizing
free riding and building shared commitment
• Consultative - improves process by reducing
thoughtless habits and fostering invention based
on situation
• Educational - improves knowledge and skill
You can combine these!
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7. Consider Resistance as a
Resource
Article: Dale Emery
http://dhemery.com/articles/resistance_as_a_resource/
Dig Deeper
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8. Listening
Listening
Why must a coach listen?
• Show respect
• Gather data
• Learn feelings/opinions
• Encourage
• …?
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9. Big Picture Focus
Step up to see big picture
Force Field Analysis
Desired change from current state
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10. Force Field Analysis
Remove barriers and amplify forces for change
Prepare the Ground
Create an
environment for
the team to grow
their own agile
practice.
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11. What do we really want?
Being Agile is not usually the real goal
Share the Vision
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12. Identify concerns
Make blockers visible
Visible Feedback
• Help the team make
information concerning
their work more visible
– Passing tests
– User satisfaction
– Value delivered
– Work-in-progress limits
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13. Reduce Work-In-Progress Limits
Example of Kanban board (at BBCW)
Be an Example
Show how
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14. Ask for Help
Encourage experiments
Try it out
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15. Encourage Ideas
Ask the team how
they would solve
the problems
Consider more than
one solution!
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Go with the energy of the team
What do the team want to try?
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16. Working Agreements
Start the project with a workshop to agree how
the team wants to work together.
• Make agreements
• Keep them
• Review when they are broken
Build Trust
T = (C + R + I ) / S
Where:
T = Trust
C = Credibility
R = Reliability
I = Intimacy
S = Self-orientation
Book: “The Trusted Advisor” by Maister, Green, & Galford
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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 Quo
http://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
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18. Contact Me
Email: rachel@agilexp.com
Twitter: rachelcdavies
Blog: http://agilecoach.typepad.com/
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