Rolling with Changes: How to increase your adaptability

Ever catch yourself wondering, "Why do we keep changing things?" We have all heard of IQ (Intelligence Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient), and maybe SQ (Social Quotient), but what about AQ - your Adaptability Quotient? It's not just a trendy acronym; it holds the key to how you navigate change.

AQ is your compass in a complex, ever-evolving world, and it's more than just theory – it's measurable, testable, and something you can enhance. Join Angela and Sara as they guide us through the essence of AQ, making it relatable and understandable. Together, we'll delve into how to gauge your AQ and, most importantly, cultivate your adaptability skills.

Prepare to unravel the mystery of AQ, explore its real-world impact, and equip yourself to not just survive, but thrive amidst the whirlwind of life's twists and turns.

Measuring up! Collect the Right Metrics for the Right Reasons

Have you ever been asked to report on metrics that left you scratching your head? Metrics that felt more like obstacles than tools for growth? It's a common challenge. Often, we track metrics that are convenient, but they might not drive real learning and progress.

In the realm of software delivery, lean and agile practices have surged ahead. Yet, metrics have trailed behind, often sticking to old-school milestones and phases. In this session, we embark on a journey of improvement. We'll explore the metrics that truly matter for agile teams, why they hold significance, and how they can propel our teams forward.

Key Takeaways:
* Uncover the complexities of meaningful metrics
* Cultivate a positive "metrics mindset"
* Identify impactful, quality-driven team metrics tailored for agile environments

Mapping the Story – Make your flat backlog more dynamic to build better products

Can you list all the States in the US? Sure, you probably learned them in school, and the number hasn’t changed in decades. But try it now—start listing them. If you’re like most people, you’ll rattle off a handful quickly, then slow down as the gaps in your memory start to appear. Why does this happen?

It’s not because you’re forgetful—it’s because you’re human. Most people can only juggle two to three chunks of information in their working memory at a time. This limitation isn’t a flaw; it’s just how our brains are wired.

In this session, Sara Caldwell will show you how to embrace and work with this natural constraint using Story Mapping. Developed by Jeff Patton, Story Mapping is a transformative technique that turns your flat, uninspiring backlog into a dynamic, visual narrative. It connects every outcome to a user story (because they’re called user stories for a reason).

Story Mapping results in
1. A shared understanding of the business outcomes your team is striving to achieve.
2. Clear alignment on how the team will collaborate to accomplish those outcomes.
3. An actionable release plan that brings it all together.

This course if for beginners and intermediate level individuals

Primary Target: Leaders, Managers, Team Leads, Tech Leads, Team Members

Cracking the Code of Team Empowerment: Unraveling the Mystery of Learned Helplessness

As a leader, you strive to create an environment of empowerment, safety, and ownership for your talented and experienced technologists. However, you've noticed a concerning pattern - despite their desires to take charge, they seem hesitant to do so. It's like there are unseen obstacles preventing them from seizing the reins you offer.

This phenomenon might be attributed to learned helplessness, where team members find it challenging to discover solutions to difficult situations, even when solutions are within reach. Repeated exposure to stress without finding a way out can lead to a belief that nothing can change, resulting in a sense of helplessness.

In this engaging session, we will explore the concept of learned helplessness and its impact on your team. We will delve into the reasons behind its occurrence and discuss actionable strategies to help your team overcome it.

This course if for beginners and intermediate level individuals

Primary Target: Leaders, Managers, Team Leads, Tech Leads, Team Members

Navigating Complexity: Tools for Confident Decision-Making and Leadership

Do you often find yourself grappling with unforeseen challenges in your projects or team dynamics? Does it seem like you're expected to predict every possible obstacle and have a bulletproof plan for execution? Yet, despite your best efforts, unexpected hurdles arise, leaving you wondering why you didn't anticipate them.

The reason you might miss certain challenges is more common than you think. Join us in this presentation as we explore a model that not only enhances your decision-making abilities but also equips you to lead effectively in diverse and sometimes demanding situations.

During this session, we'll change your perspective on your work context. You'll gain practical tools to manage risks and take action in the face of great uncertainty, all while gaining a deeper understanding of how to thrive within the various contexts in which we operate.

Pick, Don’t Panic: Prioritization with Purpose

Ever feel like your workday is one long Bruce Banner moment—calm on the outside but teetering on the edge of a Hulk-sized meltdown? When everything feels urgent and nothing gets done, it’s a sure sign your priorities need a serious tune-up. Without clear focus, teams get buried under a mountain of busywork, lost in endless context-switching, and stuck managing piles of half-started tasks.

In this session, we’ll explore how effective prioritization drives focus, boosts transparency, and maximizes value delivery. You’ll learn practical strategies to tame the chaos, align your team, and ensure you’re working on what truly matters. By the end of this talk, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to turn your to-do list from a stress monster into a well-oiled machine!

beginner
anyone
20 mins

Plans are Overrated: A Smarter Approach to the Unknown

Have you ever crafted the perfect plan, only to watch it fall apart the moment reality had other ideas? In today’s world, where unpredictability is the only constant, clinging to rigid plans often leads to frustration and missed opportunities. Instead of fighting the chaos, what if you could learn to move with it? Enter the Cynefin framework—a game-changing way to understand complexity and navigate uncertainty.

In this session, we’ll explore how leaders can rethink their approach to challenges, embrace the unexpected, and find clarity amid disorder. Through this lens, you’ll discover how to adapt with confidence, foster resilience, and turn unpredictability into an ally.

intermediate
leadership, leads
60 mins