Agile Recommended Reading

In the realm of Agile, continuous learning is as much a cornerstone as the iterative cycles we champion in our projects. Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, Agile Coach, or any team member working within an Agile framework, expanding your knowledge base and skills is crucial. As language and communication are foundational to Agile methodologies, let’s explore books that aren’t just about Agile practices but also about enhancing communication, negotiation, productivity, and coaching — essential skills for any Agile role.

Language and Communication

1. “Language Matters” by Donna Jo Napoli & Vera Lee-Schoenfeld

Understanding the nuances of language is vital for an Agile professional. This book provides insights into how language shapes our reality — a concept critical to writing user stories, defining tasks, and conveying visions. It’s not directly about Agile, but the principles can dramatically affect how we articulate and understand requirements and feedback within Agile teams.

2. “Turn the Ship Around!” by L. David Marquet

Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders

This book by former submarine captain David Marquet encapsulates the essence of language in leadership. Marquet’s story demonstrates how empowering language can transform a passive team into active leaders — aligning perfectly with Agile’s self-organizing principles.

Understanding Others

3. “From Contempt to Curiosity: Creating the Conditions for Groups to Collaborate Using Clean Language and Systemic Modeling” by Caitlin Walker

From Contempt to Curiosity: Creating the Conditions for Groups to Collaborate Using Clean Language and Systemic Modelling by Caitlin Walker (2014) Paperback

Walker’s “From Contempt to Curiosity” introduces a toolset for honing the art of asking questions free from assumptions. In Agile retrospectives, refinement sessions, or daily stand-ups, using clean language can facilitate better understanding and cooperation among team members.

Negotiation

4. “Getting to Yes” by Roger Fisher

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

Negotiation is an integral part of the Agile process, whether it’s negotiating scope, timelines, or resources. “Getting to Yes” offers a framework for principled negotiation that doesn’t rely on hard bargaining but rather on finding mutual interests and creating options for mutual gain — reflective of Agile’s collaborative essence.

Productivity

5. “Getting Things Done” by David Allen

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Agile is as much about productivity as it is about adaptability. David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” presents a workflow that enables you to organize tasks and information, freeing your mind to focus on engaging with the work at hand — a beneficial methodology for managing personal and team backlogs.

Coaching

6. “The Coaching Habit” by Michael Bungay Stanier

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Finally, an Agile environment thrives under good coaching. “The Coaching Habit” proposes seven essential coaching questions that will help you develop your coaching skills, enabling Agile team members to unlock their full potential, find solutions to their problems, and enhance team performance.

Conclusion

Whether you’re facilitating a sprint retrospective, conducting a daily stand-up, or collaborating with stakeholders, the principles outlined in these readings can influence your Agile practice in profound ways. They each offer a perspective that, when applied to the Agile mindset, can lead to more effective communication, collaboration, and leadership within your teams.

Happy reading, and may your Agile journey be ever-evolving!

Got any favorites that aren’t in this list? Share them in the comments!

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Hi! I’m Mike. I have almost 15 years of technology experience in product, engineering, and architecture. Prior to that I have several years of business management experience in the hospitality industry.
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