Transformation takes Time + Pressure

I attended my daughters’ college graduation this weekend (May 6th) from the University of Central Florida (Magna Cum Laude, proud dad alert!) and the keynote speaker was Shawn Welcom, Poet Laureate for Orlando, and himself a graduate of UCF.

During his speech, he was conveying how he wanted the graduates to understand that success required consistency, and while talking about how braces move your teeth via consistent pressure, he gave an amazing example of how transformation works that really resonated with me.

Transformation is essentially this — Time + Pressure = Transformation.

Having been involved with Agile transformations now for the better part of 10 years I can say that we see that many organizations attempt to time-bound their transformation in the form of a project, which provides a false sense that the transformation process will be short-lived and easy. We know this is not true and, in these situations, there is no pressure applied, except to hit the false target measures that are in the project plan. In other transformations, the organization has taken a longer-term approach, with coaches engaged for many years, but what is really missing in both situations is the pressure needed to effect a transformation.

When we talk about ‘doing Agile’ we are really talking about the time we put in going through the motions to appear outwardly like we are agile.

When we talk about ‘being Agile’, what we are missing is the lack of pressure needed on the very leaders of the organization necessary to break old habits and mental models acquired over the years.

To change the operating model of any organization it takes both time and pressure to deliver any meaningful operational or systemic change to how the organization works day to day, yet it is the pressure that is lacking for successful transformative behaviors.

In most Agile transformations, the coaches you bring in to facilitate your transformation have very little ability or authority to apply the pressure needed to move toward operational agility. To be successful leaders and management must partner with coaches to identify the places where pressure is needed for change. Agile is great at shining a light on your organization’s inefficiencies, what is needed is then the ability to apply pressure in those areas to effect real change.

Time + Pressure = Transformation combined with being intentionally consistent in your new approaches will lead the organization to new ways of working, that will place you at a competitive advantage in whatever market you compete in.

If you would like to learn how my Practical Agile Management approach can apply the right amount of organizational and operational pressure to ensure your organization can respond quickly to change contact me at michael@soundagile.com