20 Qualities of an Agile Leader
by Kelly Waters
Teams of all natures - agile software development or otherwise - need inspirational leadership to perform their best.That leadership may, or may not, come from the organisation's appointed leaders. But all teams need it, nevertheless.
So what are the qualities of inspirational leaders?
- Strong communication – storytelling and listening
- Passion for learning and intense curiosity
- Focus on developing people
- Having fun and very energised
- Strong self-belief, coupled with humanity and humility
- Committed to making a significant difference
- Clarity of vision and ability to share it with others
- Dogged determination and often relentlessness
- Strong focus on priorities
- Not afraid to show some vulnerability
- Regular use of reflective periods to think and learn
- Real passion and pride in what they do
- Confidence and trust in their teams, giving them real empowerment
- Respect for all (team members, temps, customers, suppliers and directors alike)
- Clear standards of ethics and integrity; openness and honesty
- Ability to drive, inspire and embrace change and continuous improvement
- Positive attitude at all times and an innate ability to be diplomatic in any circumstances
- Lateral thinking and ability to find innovative ideas and solutions to problems
- Ability to inspire and motivate others
- Willingness to take (calculated) risks
These are qualities that differentiate good leaders; people others would be willing to follow.
These are also qualities of 'servant leadership'. An admirable leadership style that is particularly emphasised in agile software development methods.
How many of your team - or appointed leaders - demonstrate these qualities; the qualities of inspirational leadership?... and if you work for me, please don't answer that :-)
See also:
Agile managers need to turn their thinking upside-down
Agile teams must be empowered
10 key principles of agile software development
20 July 2007 09:51
'Agile' is a hoax. Stop it!
20 July 2007 11:11
I checked this out from your link on the agile forum. I like it alot.
20 July 2007 21:30
This is a great list.
23 July 2007 06:50
So that describes you does it?
23 July 2007 07:35
I wish :-)
24 July 2007 17:26
I'm worried. We've been "doing Agile" for 3 mths and our boss/scrum-master only meets numbers 8, 18, and a couple of bits of the others. Any ideas, Kelly?
24 July 2007 21:26
Hmm, bit worrying. Could change your leader maybe? It's not me I hope? :-)
Seriously though, maybe you have to rely more on these qualities coming from within the team. Emergent leadership rather than appointed.
To counterbalance an appointed leader, emergent leaders need doubly strong character, because of the appointed leader's authority in the organisation.
Kelly.
30 October 2007 16:22
5CtvXz You have a talant! Write more!
28 June 2008 01:51
I saw no mention of dexterity or charisma. You wouldn't last long in the Slorg tunnels beneath Krannerock Bane, my friend.
We lost more agile men than the lot of you mewling pups in those dark days. Lorgore was built like a wall made of three of ye and could still outrun an owlbear with a carnal fancy for his hide, and the banshees still tore his innards out his his gullet while he watched.
Nix Fixit could slip through a Festarian sewer grate and that damned gnome knew he didn't have a chance of keeping pace. He gave himself so the rest of us could escape- they kept throwing themselves at the wall of flame bursting out of his hands until we thought they had stopped.
I remember the look on his face when he turned to me- almost peaceful. It was silent, then the hands burst up from the ground beneath him. All those hands- he didn't even fight.
Adia disappeared into the shadows- damn that elf to the rotten hells, saving her own skin.
Just as we saw the sunlight break through the tunnel entrance, Delmarus lost his footing and snapped the bone in his ankle. I wanted to stop to help him but I knew it would just damn us both. The sunbeams danced on his holy symbol as those oily tentacles wrapped around his face.
Don't talk to me of agility and leadership; ye're just boys playing number games with a fantasy.
Now stop clutterin up my scrying stone.
29 June 2008 00:33
http://www.worldofinspiration.com/quotations/?c=Leadership