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Nowadays, to survive and overcome the difficulties in the VUCA environment, many enterprises start applying Agile transformation. To adapt to the change, they have to hire Agile coaches to train and support them during the transform. However, many Agile Coach trainers who are titled as a coach do not deeply understand what Agile Coach really is? What is the difference between a professional coach and a traditional coach? What is the Agile competence framework? What certificate do we need to pick? What characteristics or qualities should we prepare for?
Agile coaching
Agile coaching includes Agile training, supporting and leading through daily work for individuals or teams, facilitating, coaching.
At first, the coach plays the role of training, leading, and coordinating. But when the team is relatively mature, it is necessary to let the team do the work on its own (The coach should not be directly involved). At that time, the Coach will prioritize coaching.
These coaching sessions are best tailored to individual or team requests. If teams meet trouble, can not reach their goals, or need any support they will ask Coach.
Agile coaching qualities
Expert experienced in Lean & Agile, Agilist
Training ability, passion trainer
Mentoring skills
Facilitating ability
Professional coaching skills
An expert in one of three industries:
Technique
Business
Transformation, management & administrative systems change
Agile Coaching:
The coachee (customer) is the person who best understands the work, knowledge, skills, and information in their own environment and situation. And they are the best people to know clearly their problems, provide solutions, and solve problems.
Therefore, Coaching is leading through asking questions, empowering the team or the individual to identify their own problems in order to help them take action and find solutions to solve the problems. The prime purpose is to help customers (coachees) inspect & adapt faster and more efficiently.
During the coaching process, the coach will play a neutral role, not giving personal opinions, not participating in discussions and decisions (can explain, provide Agile knowledge and experience if required).
Important characteristics or qualities of an Agile coach:
In order to fulfill its responsibilities, an Agile coach needs to have many most important characteristics or qualities, but the following qualities in my opinion are very essential:
You are an Agile person, you will be a role modeling Agile for everyone to follow
Good communication skills, Servant Leader style
Sympathy, put yourself in others’ shoes, have active listening skills
Think big, visualize overall the goals, strategies, and transformation roadmap.
Act small: Focus on solving problems one by one
Understand and control own emotions in order to influence the emotions of others (EQ)
Commit towards nurturing and supporting the development of individuals or organizations (customers).
System thinking ability
Understand your own limits, and boundaries
Responsibilities:
Coach always wants to help clients to solve their problems. Problems will be solved quickly and easily when there a coach exists. However, once a customer has mentioned issues, suggested solutions, and taken actions, it means that they must take full responsibility for the result of that action (It’s called accountability).
Coach is responsible for the results of Agile transformation in the enterprise, and the team.
Types of Agile coaching certificates:
There are many organizations that supply this certificate. However, I suggest you should take certificates from ICAgile.
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For Agile team:
ICAgile Certified Professional – Agile Coaching (ICP-ACC)
ICAgile Certified Professional in Team Facilitation (ICP-ATF)
ICAgile Certified Expert In Agile Coaching (ICE-AC)
For Agile Organization:
ICAgile Certified Professional Coaching Agile Transitions (ICP-CAT)
ICAgile Certified Professional Agility in the Enterprise (ICP-ENT)
ICAgile Certified Expert In Enterprise Coaching (ICE-EC)
Hope this article will help you a bit in the Agile Coaching path.
Hanoi, January 9th, 2021.
Hoang Sy Quy, PMP, PMI-ACP, CMMI, CSM, Scrum@Scale, ICP-ACC, ICP-ATF, ICP-CAT, ICP-ENT
Agile trainer, Agile coach for enterprise in Agile transformation.
