Product Fields

In this conversation, Jim Sammons and Rich Visotcky discuss various aspects of team dynamics, particularly focusing on Scrum Masters and the importance of engagement and interest in work. We explore the expectations placed on Scrum Masters, the significance of caring about the work being done, and how to navigate conflicts within teams around their work, tool choice, communication patterns, and more. Key highlights include: Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:16 Should Scrum Masters Be Interested? 01:23 Do Process People Need to Grasp The Backlog? 04:48 Do Care and Interest Go Hand in Hand? 08:14 Marker 4 08:14 Did the Creators of Agility Expect People to Care? 10:56 Do You Need to Know How the Sausage is Made? 13:41 The Legend of "Json the Troublemaker" 18:25 It's Not Them, It's You 21:39 The Way of Working 26:30 What Gets You Riled Up? 29:49 It Makes Sense, and it Makes Me Angry 34:52 The "User" Will See You Now 37:03 What Riles Rich Up? 42:35 Part of the Solution? 46:29 On the Next Episode... Connect with Product Fields: 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility 📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Connect with our hosts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamessammons/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/richvisotcky/ Check out our sponsors: https://www.xebia.com https://www.wiserbees.com https://www.jointinsights.com https://www.productfields.com

Gil Broza joins our hosts, Jim Sammons and Rich Visotcky, for the first episode of the Product Fields podcast in 2026! In this conversation, we discuss the evolving landscape of agility and product management in the age of AI. Together, we explore how AI has transformed product delivery, the importance of accountability, and the need for leaders to adapt their strategies to ensure effective team dynamics. Too often, we have seen companies go full-on into AI without any strategy or understanding of the consequences. Through our discussion, we dive into the balance between leveraging AI for efficiency while maintaining critical thinking and human oversight, and the need for a thoughtful approach to integrating AI into work processes. 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:04 Agility Beyond Tech: Adapting Principles for Non-Tech Teams 00:03:44 The Relevance of the Agile Manifesto, Values, and Principles 00:08:44 AI's Impact on Product Delivery and Management 00:12:15 Going Back to Principles in the Age of AI 00:16:52 Accountability in the Age of AI 00:28:03 The AI Industrial Revolution: Trust and Human Connection 00:33:58 The Atrophy of Skills in the Age of AI 00:35:07 The Impact of AI on Communication and Authenticity 00:45:38 The Dangers of Over-Reliance on AI 00:47:27 Fundamentals in the Age of AI 00:50:45 The Danger of Agency and AI 00:53:01 The Future of Work and AI Integration 00:57:46 Quantity vs. Impact 01:01:20 Closing Connect with Product Fields: 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility 📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Connect with our guests: Gil Broza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbroza Subscribe to Gil’s newsletter: https://3pvantage.com/subscribe-newsletter/ Attend Gil’s course, “Leading AI-Enabled Product Teams”: https://3pvantage.com/leapt/ Check out our sponsors: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.jointinsights.com www.productfields.com

Join hosts Rich Visotcky and Jim Sammons as they delve deep into the agile mindset and its significance in team dynamics from a research-backed perspective. Joining them in this episode are Dr. Karen Eilers and Christiaan Verwijs who are leading studies exploring the agile mindset from the individual and team level. Through their research and the help of Columinity, they describe how to factors like motivation, morale, collaborative exchange, value focus, and management support improve team effectiveness. Together, we discuss the development of reliable measurement scales, the importance of data in understanding team effectiveness in order to take action, and the challenges of selection bias and trust in survey data. We also dip our toes into the pools of dynamic reteaming and its effects on team cohesion and team outcomes. Whether you’re a manager looking to help your teams hit their stride, a team member trying to understand how to improve yourself to improve those around you, or a research and data junkie curious about people and teams, this episode has you covered! Want to learn more about your team and the research? Participate (and get immediate actionable feedback!): https://questionnaire.columinity.com/setup/model/agilemindset Preliminary findings: https://blog.columinity.com/how-a-team-level-agile-mindset-shapes-team-effectiveness/ Scientific paper on Agile Mindset: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162522001822 Contact Columinity: https://columinity.com/research Connect with our guests: Karen Eilers: linkedin.com/in/dr-karen-eilers/ Christiaan Verwijs: linkedin.com/in/christiaanverwijs/ Connect with Mastering Agility: 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility 📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Check out our sponsors: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.jointinsights.com www.productfields.com Find more at www.masteringagility.org

Join hosts Rich Visotcky and Jim Sammons as they delve deep into the agile mindset and its significance in team dynamics from a research-backed perspective. Joining them in this episode are Dr. Karen Eilers and Christiaan Verwijs who are leading studies exploring the agile mindset from the individual and team level. Through their research and the help of Columinity, they describe how to factors like motivation, morale, collaborative exchange, value focus, and management support improve team effectiveness. Together, we discuss the development of reliable measurement scales, the importance of data in understanding team effectiveness in order to take action, and the challenges of selection bias and trust in survey data. We also dip our toes into the pools of dynamic reteaming and its effects on team cohesion and team outcomes. Whether you’re a manager looking to help your teams hit their stride, a team member trying to understand how to improve yourself to improve those around you, or a research and data junkie curious about people and teams, this episode has you covered! Want to learn more about your team and the research? Participate (and get immediate actionable feedback!): https://questionnaire.columinity.com/setup/model/agilemindset Preliminary findings: https://blog.columinity.com/how-a-team-level-agile-mindset-shapes-team-effectiveness/ Scientific paper on Agile Mindset: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162522001822 Contact Columinity: https://columinity.com/research Connect with our guests: Karen Eilers: linkedin.com/in/dr-karen-eilers/ Christiaan Verwijs: linkedin.com/in/christiaanverwijs/ Connect with Mastering Agility: 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility 📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Check out our sponsors: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.jointinsights.com www.productfields.com Find more at www.masteringagility.org Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Jim and Rich delve into the complexities of Agile methodologies with Sam Falco and Dan Neumann, discussing the balance between consistency and flexibility, the challenges of planning in complex environments, and the importance of discipline in Agile practices. Together, they explore various frameworks for navigating complexity, the significance of measuring effectiveness, and the necessity of making small bets in uncertain conditions. The need for organizations to adapt their approaches based on the context and to embrace feedback as a means of continuous improvement is critical for continued success. 00:00 Intro 04:08 Understanding Complexity in Agile 09:02 The Challenge of Planning in Complex Environments 13:49 Navigating Regulations and Constraints 15:57 Frameworks for Managing Complexity 21:46 Managing Risk and Boundaries in Complexity 26:07 Efficiency vs. Effectiveness 30:20 The Complexity of Decision Making 37:15 Consistency vs Flexibility 44:05 Discovering the Time to Change 47:53 Building and Falling Into Habits 51:58 Finding the Balance of Consistency and Flexibility 53:40 Iterating Towards a Solution 54:37 Complexity Needs Good Process 55:25 Using Cadence for Evolution and Consistency 57:01 It Takes Discipline to Deliver Connect with Mastering Agility 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility 📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Check out our sponsors: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.jointinsights.com www.productfields.com Find more at www.masteringagility.org Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Ryan Brook brings his homework with him as he joins hosts Jim Sammons and Rich Visotcky for a vibrant Q&A session to answer questions from our viewers. Ryan flips the script, taking over emcee duties to extract key ideas and insights from Rich and Jim as they cover a range of topics from team autonomy and navigating roles to measuring outcomes and outputs to understand the impacts of agility. Join us for a lively session answering your questions! Have a question you want answered in a future episode? Comment on this episode, or reach out to us. 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:29 Introductions 00:02:54 Question Setup 00:04:16 Navigating New Roles in an Organization 00:13:07 Coaching Leadership on Agility and Fixed Projects 00:20:09 Managing Dependencies in Agile and Waterfall 00:28:38 Metrics for Agile Progress 00:36:00 Creating a Culture of Experimentation 00:47:23 Measuring Outcomes vs Output 00:52:40 The Gantt Chart Debate 00:58:16 Tools for User Story Mapping 01:05:21 Balancing Team Autonomy with Organizational Goals 01:13:01 Change Management in UI/UX Handoffs 01:19:38 Managing Parallel Sprints 01:29:13 Closing Connect with Mastering Agility 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility 📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it! Check out our sponsors: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.jointinsights.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“Generosity as a strategy — I’ve never seen it not pay back eventually.” In this lively conversation, Jim and Sander welcome Jose Casal — agile coach, trainer, and long-time conference organizer — to reflect on the people, purpose, and future of agile gatherings. As part of the Scan Agile 2025 organizing team, Jose shares why he continues to invest months of volunteer effort into building events that foster connection and inspiration. From his global journey (Spain → UK → Finland) to his professional philosophy of “generosity as a strategy,” Jose unpacks the challenges and rewards of running community-driven conferences in a shifting industry landscape. The trio dive into the realities of sponsorship, the impact of AI on agile investment, and why human connection remains the ultimate ROI. Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“Agile is not just for software — it’s for solving problems anywhere there’s complexity:" At Scan Agile 2025, Jim and Sander dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Michal Epstein about the transformative power of agility beyond traditional tech environments. Discover how agile principles can be applied in diverse fields like biotech and construction, and learn about the importance of stakeholder collaboration and value-driven approaches. Key takeaways include understanding that agile is a mindset transcending industries, the crucial role of stakeholder engagement, the benefits for non-tech teams, the importance of communication and transparency, and insights into value-based pricing. Connect with Michal: (14) Michal Epstein | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“In both poker and business, humans are the biggest variable—and the biggest opportunity." In this episode of Mastering Agility, Jim welcomes long-time friend and seasoned agile coach Stacy Oliver for a fascinating conversation that blends the worlds of poker, game theory, and agility. Drawing from decades of experience at the card table and in the corporate world, Stacy shares how concepts like expected value (EV), Game Theory Optimal (GTO) play, and the Independent Chip Model (ICM) can help leaders make better bets on their projects, teams, and portfolios. Stacy and Jim explore how decision quality, not just outcomes, determines success, and how understanding your constraints, risks, and probabilities can help you maximize return on investment in any game you’re playing. Connect with Stacy: (13) Stacy Oliver | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“I dream of a world where we don’t have managers — just autonomous, inspired teams.” In this insightful episode of Mastering Agility, hosts Sander and Jim sit down with Laura Heikkurinen, Lead Transformation Coach at OP Financial Group, live at the Scan Agile 2025 conference. Together, they dive into the nuances of modern leadership, the tension between management and empowerment, and how organizations can create psychologically safe environments where everyone is empowered to lead — regardless of job title. Laura shares powerful reflections from her experience leading enterprise transformation, explains why language matters when redefining leadership, and offers candid takes on navigating toxic leadership legacies, neurodivergent inclusion, and the delicate balance between pushing a change forward or letting it go. Connect with Laura: (18) Laura Heikkurinen | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“You can build software with Excel. You can finish an Ironman on a cheap bike. But will it be enjoyable? That’s another question.” In this inspiring and energetic episode, Sander and Jim sit down with Dana—Scrum Master, team lead, and passionate triathlete—just ahead of her session at the Online Scrum Master Summit. Together, they unpack: Dana’s journey into agile and what drew her to the Scrum Master Summit. How her dual passions—agile coaching and triathlon—intersect in powerful and unexpected ways. The surprising overlap between triathlon training and software delivery: focus, iteration, adaptation, and complexity. The value and limitations of tools—whether it’s JIRA or a $6,000 triathlon bike—and why mindset still trumps everything. The importance of coaching: in sports and in software. Do you really need to know how to code to be an effective coach? Connect with Dana: (31) Dana Mykytiuk | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Origin stories create die-hard fans. Once your story and your product are inseparable, you win." In this powerful episode of Mastering Agility, Jim and Sander sit down with storytelling strategist Osita Ifezue to explore how strategic storytelling can reshape the way agile teams operate, connect with customers, and innovate beyond the status quo. Recorded at ScanAgile 2025, Osita shares how organizations like LEGO, Apple, Nike, and IKEA use storytelling to drive customer loyalty, enhance internal alignment, and navigate change. Connect with Osita: (31) Osita Ifezue | LinkedIn Check out Think About It! With Osita Ifezue Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2idqtZvGCMswcqIPvQMDCa?si=oQhfzXDkRFCYRDtW16PkUg Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

n this reflective and insightful episode, Jim is joined by organizational coach Anna Lavrova to unpack her talk at the Scrum Master Summit and dive into the real mechanics of organizational culture. They discuss why people often feel "off" in their roles—not because of the work, but because of the culture—and how leaders can make sense of multicultural, multi-context teams in today’s workplace. Connect with Anna: LinkedIn The Culture Map: Book – Erin Meyer Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

“Mental fitness is like going to the gym—but for your mind.” In this insightful episode, Jim welcomes René de Leijer—Agile Coach, Scrum Master, and co-creator of The Inner Game—to explore what it truly means to help people, teams, and organizations grow. René shares his philosophy on being “strategically lazy,” the importance of psychological safety, and how embracing your inner saboteurs can lead to personal and team transformation. More on The Inner Game The website: https://www.playtheinnergame.com/ LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/98064137/admin/dashboard/ Connect with René on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/renedeleijer/ Join the Online Scrum Master Summit: Claim your free ticket for the Online Scrum Master Summit Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this thought-provoking episode, Jim sits down with Tobias -Tobi- Mende, engineering leadership consultant and speaker at the upcoming Online Scrum Master Summit from June 17-19 to explore the real challenges of decision-making in agile teams. Drawing from 15+ years of experience, Tobi shares how poor visibility, lack of strategy, and fear of failure hold teams back—and how we can fix it. If you're a Scrum Master, team lead, or product manager frustrated by indecision, vague priorities, or never-ending meetings—this episode is for you. Tobi delivers tactical ways to empower teams, improve clarity, and reintroduce confidence into team decisions—without falling into top-down traps or analysis paralysis. 📅 Join Tobi at the Online Scrum Master Summit Learn his structured approach to team decision-making—with real-world tools your team can use tomorrow. Claim your free ticket for the Online Scrum Master Summit Connect with Tobi: LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"The people stuff is hard. It always is" Get ready for a powerful conversation on Mastering Agility where hosts Jim and Sander sit down with Martijn Versteeg — tech entrepreneur, leadership facilitator, and former rowing coach. We dive deep into the real challenges of leadership, change resistance, and personal growth. From building peer groups for tech leaders across Europe to handling brilliant jerks in teams, Martijn shares practical tools, models, and stories you can immediately apply. 🌟 Why is "the people stuff" always the hardest part? 🌟 How do you truly build psychological safety (without making it kumbaya)? 🌟 And what can a vanilla orchid teach us about growth? Connect with Martijn: (27) Martijn Versteeg | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Yerkes-Dodson: Lore, not Law — The Learning Scientists Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"If you're going to write about Agile, you better work Agile." In this special live episode, hosts Jim and Sander chat with Olina Glindevi and Ben Walder, the creative duo behind The Visual Agile Coach Playbook, at the ScanAgile 25 conference in Helsinki. They share the origin story of their book, their collaboration journey, and the power of visual thinking in agile coaching and team collaboration. The motivation and madness behind writing The Visual Agile Coach Playbook while juggling day jobs and family life. Using visuals as a serious and practical tool in agile work — not just as decoration or “fun stuff.” The creative friction between Ben’s structured writing approach and Olina’s visual process — and how they found agility in their collaboration. Why they believe trust, feedback, and staying in your lane can lead to stronger results when working in teams. The role of visual agile coaches and how visuals can unlock alignment, clarity, and engagement in teams. A sneak peek into their next project — a collaborative book on the future of work. Get the book: https://a.co/d/1V11eSO Connect with Olina & Ben (51) Olina Glindevi ✏️ | LinkedIn & (51) Ben Walder | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Let people twist, turn, and break your product a little — that's where the magic happens." In this special ScanAgile 25 edition, hosts Jim and Sander sit down with Linda Liukas — renowned author, educator, and playground designer — for a rich conversation about creativity, risk, resilience, and the future of learning and public spaces. Linda shares her journey from writing Hello Ruby to designing cutting-edge computer science-themed playgrounds that challenge how we think about education, risk-taking, and play. Together, they explore the parallels between playgrounds and workplaces, how organizations can foster real innovation (hint: it's not about micromanaging), and why letting people "own" a product or process leads to bigger impacts. Whether you're a leader, educator, or innovator, this episode will spark ideas about autonomy, growth, and designing environments — both physical and cultural — where people can thrive. Connect with Linda: (27) Linda Liukas | LinkedIn Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Resilience isn’t about avoiding change; it’s about learning to thrive within it." Join us for a special live episode of the Mastering Agility Podcast, recorded at the ScanAgile Conference 2025! Our guest, Tricia Broderick, is a leadership expert, coach, and passionate advocate for building high-performing and resilient teams. In this insightful conversation, we explore how leaders can foster true agility in their teams, navigate uncertainty, and empower individuals to drive innovation. Tricia shares her experiences in leadership development, the key challenges she sees in agile transformations, and practical strategies for cultivating a culture of trust, resilience, and collaboration. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an aspiring change agent, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss! Connect with Tricia: linkedin.com/in/tricia-broderick Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"I don’t like the phrase 'meet people where they are.' If you only do that, it’s too easy for everyone to settle. Instead, I try to meet them a half-step ahead—and take them on a field trip to what’s possible." In this episode, Jim and Sander talk about the pursuit of mastery, how to inspire growth, and why being too comfortable can kill progress. From Van Gogh's late start to corporate energy vampires, this conversation is part therapy, part stand-up, and -as usual- fully human. In this heartfelt and candid episode, Sander and Jim meet up at the Xebia studio for a conversation that blends humor, vulnerability, and inspiration. They unpack what it means to pursue mastery, how creativity emerges in unlikely places, and why many of us wrestle with the pressure of "starting too late." The dynamic duo reflects on Jim's experiences from the Van Gogh Museum, shares personal goals like writing a book and dives deep into what success truly means—especially when you feel like time is slipping away. They also tackle workplace dynamics, including how to deal with energy vampires on teams, giving and receiving feedback effectively, and staying authentic even when the work gets tough. Check out our sponsor: www.xebia.com www.scrummatch.com www.wiserbees.com www.masteringagility.org Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.