Today’s business world is saturated with Agile Coaches, Scrum Masters, and certifications. Everyone is “going Agile” (if they haven’t already). Companies across the globe are engaging Coaches to guide their organizations and teams.

Why are some gaining immense value with Agile, and others frustrated and failing? Not to say it’s all contingent upon the Coach – company culture, structure, and leadership have a hand in it too. But without a great coach, what happens to nearly every team?

They lose.

Have you ever encountered an “Agile Coach” who can talk the Agile Talk, but in practice, they’re clueless?

In this post, we’ll share red flags that show whether your “Coach” is actually a Fake! You’ll learn how to spot a dodgy coach, and how to know when you’ve hit the jackpot and found a great one.

Red Flag #1: Your Agile Coach is obsessed with Buzz Words

“They won’t realize I have no idea what I’m doing if I use lots of Agile words.”

While we expect people to be honest on their resumes and at interviews, that doesn’t always happen. I don’t want a coach with an impressive resume and credentials galore if they can’t deliver results.

There seems to be an army of “coaches” these days who’ve never actually been on a team – of any kind – let alone an Agile team. They try to mask it by “sounding smart” and being vague about their experience. They are obsessed with Agile buzz words, and constantly use Scrummy language.

A great coach doesn’t need to show off their vocabulary. They know it’s just “the way we do our work.”

Take Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso. Ted successfully coaches a professional soccer team, and he doesn’t even know the rules of the game.

How, you ask? Keep reading to find out.

 

Red Flag #2: Your Agile Coach is extremely prescriptive

“This is how it’s done. Any other way is simply wrong!”

A Fake Coach sees their beliefs about Agile and Scrum as absolute truth. They are not to be questioned or altered in any way. They know the rules (or at least think they do), and treat everything as set in stone.

A good coach understands that the Agile Manifesto and Scrum Guide provide guidelines. Yes, there are prescribed roles, events, and artifacts. But how we incorporate these practices is up to the team.

One size does not fit all. No two Agile or Scrum adoptions look the same! People have a significant effect on how everything plays out.

Ted Lasso’s at it again with a radically different approach to managing the AFC Richmond team. They don’t have to function the same way as the team with the most wins.

Ted helps the team discover what’s best for them.

Wait a minute…I thought the coach had the final say?

Let’s dig into that a bit more.

 

Red Flag #3: Your Agile Coach always has an opinion…and they are always right

What are some other words for “coach?”

Trainer, instructor, teacher, mentor, educator.

I don’t see manager, executive, supervisor, director, or administrator on that list.

So why does your coach impose their opinions and ideas on everyone else?

A Faker masquerading as a Coach always has an opinion…and they believe they are right. They tell people what to do and how to do it. They focus on specific outcomes, putting their own goals over those of the customer and team.

What does a good coach do differently?

They ask questions. A lot of them!

To be great, a coach doesn’t need to know everything about how to do the work. I’ve coached four software development teams, and my technical skills stop at very basic SQL and HTML. Don’t even ask me the difference between C# and Python.

In all these situations, my teammates – the developers – knew what they were doing, and I trusted them to do it. The value I added wasn’t technical. It was focused on people.

The same can be said of Ted Lasso. He’s a soccer coach who doesn’t know the definition of “offside.” But the team, assistant coaches, and staff are experts. Ted asks questions, takes input from everyone, and keeps his ego in check.

We all have egos, there’s no denying it. But on a team, what’s more important – “me” or “we?”

 

Red Flag #4: Your Agile Coach doesn’t understand teamwork

Consider the synonyms for “coach” mentioned earlier – trainer, instructor, teacher, mentor, educator. Think about the mentors, teachers, and leaders who have most impacted your life or career. What made them positive or negative influences on you or your team?

In your worst experiences, did you feel psychologically safe? Was everyone on the team treated with respect? Was it ok to try and fail? Did you, your teammates, and the coach all have clear expectations? Did people work together and support each other?

Probably not.

A great coach makes people feel safe, and knows that failure is simply an opportunity to learn. They make sure all voices are heard. They understand the complexities of team development and dynamics.

Coaches help people work together, learn together, and improve together. They acknowledge the value each person brings. They are highly invested in other people’s success.

Like Coach Lasso says, “…success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping [the team] be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.”

 

So, is your Agile Coach the Real Deal, or are they a Fake?

I bet you already know the answer to that question.

If the red flags described in this post sound familiar, don’t panic! The Internet is full of misinformation, and “copying without knowledge” happens every day. Your coach may not even know they are too involved, too prescriptive, or that they sound like an Agile dictionary. If they do know and are still doing it…you might want to find a new coach.

Anyone who wants to learn can and will! And if they don’t, now you have the tools to spot your very own Ted Lasso in the crowd of mediocre “coaches.”

If you’re interested in learning more about Agile, coaching, or Scrum Mastery, check out our coaching services and upcoming courses here!