As coaches, teachers, and trainers, we could all use the parable of the Sower.
We are like the Sower… we have good seeds to scatter… these seeds will fall on various types of soil.
Where:
- Seed is the Training we provide (i.e., SAFe PO/PM)
- Scatter is when we provide the Training
- Types of soil are the various types of mindsets (the set) and environments (the setting) our students have. Some will be receptive to the Lean and Agile Way of Working — these are the students who will grow to give; the rest will not be as receptive — they will stick with their old mindsets and same old same old habits and outcomes.
After we have sown the seeds, we then proceed to observe…
… and help the seeds grow by tilling and nourishing the soil… tending to the seedlings/sprouts.
We also take out the weeds… i.e., anti-Lean Agile patterns.
We measure / observe and grow.
SAFe’ Measure and Grow approach — to evaluate progress towards Business Agility and to determine improvement actions — is awesome and recommended. It measures three major pieces of the puzzle:
- Competency
- Flow
- Outcome
So… the cycle goes…
… we keep on sowing…
… and we keep on helping plants grow by watering, fertilizing, and tilling the soil… with enthusiasm (wherein we do it with love and purpose)!
