I’ve been receiving this sentiment frequently in entry level courses: “In the real world, how would we have the development team select the work?”, “In the real world, how would we stop having to provide velocity/hours to management?”, and/or “In the real world, people are not stepping up.”.
Notice the pattern: “In the real world”. I understand the root of this sentiment. In my world today, I don’t see what you are saying is possible. I understand there might even be a little passive aggressive challenge to me by explaining that I don’t understand the challenges they are facing today.
Here’s the reality: I live in the real world too. I never said it was easy to become an Agile Leader. I never said it would happen over night. I never said there won’t be obstacles immediately faced and after each milestone. I do understand the frustration, even the fear. Yet, if you keep thinking “this is not the real world” then you keep telling yourself that it is not possible. You’ll create an environment where the world you live in today continues to be the world you live in tomorrow.
So I challenge you to change this phrase from “in the real world” to “today”. See what happens. See what doors open. See what is possible beyond today.
What’s the world you want to be real?
