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The principles of people-centred Agile

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Six principles for a people-centred Agile with quotes that bring them to life.


In Agile, the people side is fundamental and indeed the first value in the Agile Manifesto is:

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.


The same is true in Lean, as this quote from Eiji Toyoda highlights:

<<Since people make things, work must begin with developing people.>>



Complexity Science shows how a myriad of local interactions and how they come together to form population-wide patterns, or not, is what defines the outcomes, more than the individual behaviours of the agents in the system.

Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term meaning “humanity”. It is sometimes translated as “I am because we are” and also “I am because you are”, or in other words:

People are people “through other people”



In my quest for the people-centred Agile, I’ve identified these six principles and the related quotes that bring the principles to life:

Principles of people-centred Agile



Openness & curiosity
A repertoire might be more useful than a conviction; especially if one wants to keep in mind that there are many kinds of good life – Adam Phillips

Respect people & humanise the workplace
Even in a hierarchy people can be equal as thinkers – Nancy Kline

Empathy
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it – Harper Lee

Deep listening
The quality of your attention determines the quality of other people’s thinking – Nancy Kline

Appreciation & compassion
A person who is impartial, fair, calm, gentle, serene, accepting, and openhearted is indeed a refuge – Karen Armstrong

Growth mindset
Intelligence can develop, effort leads to success – Carol Dweck


Elevate your Agility.


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