I was recently in a coaching session when the topic of agile and leadership is not all fluffy bunnies.  I instantly flashed back to several moments when I was told I focus too much on the fluff, soft skills, and even people.    

I have spoken and written plenty about how these labels and inference is that soft skills are somehow inferior to other skills – which is just insanity.  But to believe that soft skills means everything should always be fluffy bunnies is insanity too.      

One of my favorite compliments I have ever received was along the lines of “she’s super supportive and calls BS too”. 

If you are falling into the trap where there is no challenging, no questioning, no calling crap out because you are “agile”.  Fake harmony was never agile.  No expectations was never agile.  No challenges was never agile.  Just being ok with anything was never agile.  When I hear people make this association/assumption that to be agile means being happy all the time.  I don’t know anyone that is happy all the time.  If you pretend you are, I distrust you heavily.  People have emotions.  It’s messy.  Systems are complex and chaotic.  It’s messy. 

Agile was never about faking it with fluffy bunnies.  Soft skills is not about glossing over things just for pretend harmony.  I can absolutely invest in people, create supportive environments AND say the thing others might be trying to avoid, deflect, etc.  Sometimes, I’m even the ‘mean’ boss that has reached their toleration limit of BS.  

Are you too focused on fake harmony?

Tricia Broderick

Tricia Broderick

Tricia Broderick is a leadership and organizational advisor. Her transformational leadership at all levels of an organization, ignites growth of leaders and high performing teams to deliver quality outcomes. Tricia has more than twenty years of experience in the software development industry. She is a highly-rated trainer, coach, facilitator and motivational keynote speaker. Beyond her extensive knowledge and skills, her biggest offering is inspiring people to believe anything is possible.

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