The Agile Daily Standup - AgileDad
AgileDad ~ V. Lee Henson
Rise and shine, Agile enthusiasts! Kickstart your day with 'The Agile Daily Standup' podcast. In a crisp 15 minutes or less, AgileDad brings you a refreshing burst of Agile insights, blended seamlessly with humor and authenticity. Celebrated around the world for our distinct human-centered and psychology-driven approach, we're on a mission to ignite your path to business agility. Immerse yourself in curated articles, invaluable tips, captivating stories, and conversations with the best in the business. Set your aspirations high and let's redefine agility, one episode at a time with AgileDad!
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 5min
5 “Healthy” Habits That Are Quietly Aging You
Not all healthy habits are truly beneficial. Swapping breakfast for a smoothie may spike glucose levels unexpectedly. Long cardio without weights can lead to muscle loss due to elevated cortisol. Avoiding fats harms hormones and can cause inflammation, while snacking all day keeps insulin levels high. Lastly, relaxation isn’t enough; engaging in stress-resilient activities like strength training can make a difference. It's time to rethink these common practices for better health!
11 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 14min
Is Scrum Dying? Or Are We Just Doing It Wrong?
The discussion dives into whether Scrum is actually dying or just being misunderstood. It critiques the evolving roles of Product Owners, who have shifted from visionaries to mere order-takers. The podcast highlights misapplications of Scrum and contrasts it with frameworks like SAFe, revealing that cultural resistance often leads to failure. Lee emphasizes that Scrum isn't the problem but is often misused, calling for organizations to empower teams and rethink their approach to truly embrace Agile principles.
Oct 1, 2025 • 5min
Is it ever OK to deviate from the Scrum Guide? - Mike Cohn
Is it time to bend the Scrum rules? The conversation challenges the rigidity of rule-following and promotes a practical approach. Established teams might adapt or break rules, like extending sprints for valid reasons. The ideal of a dedicated Scrum Master is explored, along with the economic realities for smaller organizations. Plus, mature teams can adjust the frequency of retrospectives, focusing on efficiency over strict adherence. New teams, however, are encouraged to stick to the Guide initially before making adaptations.
6 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 6min
The 5 Stages of Leadership
Explore the fascinating journey through the five stages of leadership. From the Doer who gets things done solo to the Fixer who inadvertently creates dependency, each stage reveals key insights on personal and team growth. Discover how Enablers coach others to excel, while Multipliers develop scalable systems that enhance success. Finally, delve into the Shaper stage, where leaders cultivate culture and legacy. It’s a transformative discussion that encourages self-assessment and growth in effective leadership.
6 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 4min
Scrum Masters, You’re Not Just the Meeting Person
Explore the role of Scrum Masters beyond just running meetings. Discover why team rituals often fail to address systemic issues. Learn how to coach stakeholders and leaders for genuine organizational agility. Find out how to translate metrics into meaningful conversations and facilitate collaboration across teams. Lee emphasizes the importance of addressing processes that create friction and suggests using the GROW model for effective leadership coaching. Top Scrum Masters act as advocates for their teams while educating leadership to enhance agility.
8 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 11min
$1 from 130,000 Strangers: Bella’s Viral Mission to Reclaim Her Great-Aunt’s Home
Meet 14-year-old Bella, on a heartfelt mission to reclaim her great-aunt's home. With her idea to raise $1 from 130,000 strangers through TikTok, she’s already gathered $43,000! This grassroots movement is fueled by small donations from a supportive community. Bella promises transparency, pledging to refund donors if her goal isn’t met. Hear uplifting stories of generosity and learn how listeners can help amplify this touching initiative. It's a reminder of how people come together for a cause that truly matters!
Sep 24, 2025 • 4min
Setting and Managing Expectations - Mike Cohn
A technically successful project nearly faced failure due to unmet user expectations. Nurses grew impatient, imagining features that hadn’t yet materialized. The focus shifted to managing these rising expectations by clearly outlining deliverables. Mike Cohn reveals four essential expectations leaders should establish in agile projects, emphasizing transparency with tools like red/green light reports. This insightful discussion highlights that aligning expectations is crucial for project success.
Sep 23, 2025 • 6min
How to Say No Without Killing Innovation
Feeling overwhelmed by constant requests? Discover how strategically saying no can sharpen focus and enhance innovation. Learn to prioritize effectively using metrics and frameworks like RICE and Kano. Understand the power of transparent communication that transforms refusals into strategic decisions. Embrace the art of focusing on what truly matters for impactful product development!
6 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 6min
Scrum IS a Delivery Framework - NOT a Ceremonial Cult
In this discussion, the host tackles common misconceptions about Scrum, emphasizing that it’s a practical delivery framework rather than merely a set of ceremonies. Understanding Scrum’s purpose is highlighted as crucial to avoid merely performing rituals. The need for coaching inexperienced stakeholders is stressed, as is the importance of aligning organizations beyond individual teams. The podcast warns against treating Scrum casually, stressing the identification of real bottlenecks that affect outcomes and urging a focus on shared goals to foster true agility.
5 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 7min
Teacher Reveals Heartbreaking Reason Behind Her Ocean-Themed Classroom
A teacher creates an ocean-themed classroom to honor her late father who always supported her dreams. After his sudden passing in 2025, she seeks comfort through social media, reflecting on his profound influence on her teaching journey. The emotional narrative also touches on themes of gratitude, legacy, and the importance of remembrance. The host emphasizes how this heartfelt tribute may inspire others to cherish their connections.
