February 29, 2024

Greg Thomas

At what Size are my Meetings Unwieldly

If you have invited 10 people to your meeting and they are all contributing and generating value for each other, your meeting is a perfect size. If the same occurs with 25, 50, or 100 people, then your meeting is a perfect size.  They all don’t need to be talking, but they need to be contributing value to your meeting. The value of meetings is not limited by people, but by their contributions to what is happening.

February 28, 2024

Greg Thomas

One Backlog to Rule Them All

No matter how many teams, no matter how many boards at some point you are going to need one, masterful backlog to rule them all. You’ll need a roll-up, THE roll-up that will signify what everyone in your team is doing. This view isn’t for everyone and it won’t be broken out by sprints (they might be listed and each group might have its own) but invariably they will be listed by resource. And that’s the role of the “Big Bad Backlog for All” – what is everyone on my team doing across their project so I can make sure

February 27, 2024

Greg Thomas

Breaking the Ice in Your Next Meeting

I dread being in a meeting with a ton of people I’ve never met because I know it’s coming, the statement that is going to make everyone groan in unison. “Why don’t we go around the room and introduce ourselves!” Truth be told, I’ve never been great at introducing myself, I don’t know why – I mumble some words, hear someone else’s great intro, and then go – “wow that’s amazing” – but I’m still left going – I have no idea why you’re here. If you’re in a hierarchical culture, that intro might turn into a game of “who

February 26, 2024

Greg Thomas

Looking at Getting the Band Back Together

But does the band ever want to get back together? Sure maybe it worked for a reunion gig where everyone rejoiced at the good old days. But could they do it again? Do they want to do it again? Bands do get back together, they do succeed when they get back together, but only when they are willing to try something new, only when they are willing to let go of what they accomplished before and what they can instead be accomplishing now.

February 25, 2024

Greg Thomas

Taking Stock of Your Team

Who does what? Who actually does what? Who needs support? Who is struggling? Who is doing great but getting lazy because they aren’t learning anything? Who is overloaded? Who is being missed? Who needs a kick? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when taking stock of your team.  This is what helps you understand who needs help, where and when and how to plan your strategy out to help them.