12 Steps for Building High Performing Agile Teams

How Do You Inspire Your Agile Team?

Agile methodology has helped around 97% of companies to become more productive and successful, as reported in the 5th Annual State of Agile Marketing Report, 2022. Agile has helped meet customer needs while ensuring flexibility and smoothness.

Agile teams struggle as they continuously work together to produce the best possible product and keep things moving forward. Excessive meetings, lack of trust, less face-to-face communication, isolation, and whatnot – these agile team faces these challenges, and keeping them motivated and inspired becomes challenging.

So we decided to come up with a list to help you understand how you can keep your agile teams inspired to achieve more and speed up the go-to-market for your product.

What Is Team Agility In Business?

Team agility in business refers to the ability of a team to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and make necessary adjustments to achieve their goals. It involves being flexible and responsive to uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity.

Team agility requires a mindset of continuous learning and improvement, as well as the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate efficiently, and make decisions quickly. It involves a willingness to experiment and take risks, as well as a focus on customer value and outcomes.

In the context of agile methodologies, team agility refers to the ability of a cross-functional team to work collaboratively and iteratively to deliver high-quality products or services that meet the evolving needs of the customer. It involves breaking down silos and fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and accountability, as well as embracing change as a constant reality of business.

Why Should Your Agile Team Be Inspired?

Agile methodologies have become increasingly popular in the business world, offering a more flexible and adaptable approach to project management. However, even with the best processes and tools in place, success ultimately depends on the people involved in the project. One key factor in driving team performance and achieving business goals is inspiration. When team members are inspired, they are more engaged, motivated, and committed to their work, leading to improved productivity, higher quality work, and greater innovation. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of inspiration for agile teams and how to inspire your team to achieve their best work.

There are several compelling reasons why your agile team should be inspired:

Improved productivity: Inspired team members are more engaged, motivated, and committed to their work, which can lead to increased productivity and efficiency.
Higher quality work: When team members are inspired, they are more likely to take pride in their work and strive for excellence, resulting in higher-quality deliverables.
Greater innovation: Inspired team members are likelier to think creatively, take risks, and develop new ideas that drive innovation and competitive advantage.
Better collaboration: Inspiration can foster a sense of trust, respect, and collaboration among team members, leading to better communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Increased job satisfaction: When team members feel inspired, they are more likely to feel fulfilled and satisfied in their work, leading to lower turnover rates and higher employee retention.

Inspiration can help create a positive and productive work environment that benefits both the team and the organization as a whole.

The Secret MAP to Motivation

Motivation is a crucial factor in driving team performance and achieving business success. There are three key elements of motivation: Mastery, Autonomy, and Purpose, or M.A.P. By focusing on these elements, managers can help their teams become more engaged, productive, and fulfilled in their work.

Here are some practical steps that managers can take to increase team motivation based on the M.A.P. framework:

Mastery:

Provide regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and knowledge.
Offer training and development opportunities to help team members grow and learn.
Set challenging but achievable goals that stretch team members’ abilities.

Autonomy:

Empower team members to make decisions and solve problems on their own.
Allow for flexibility in work, such as flexible schedules or remote work options.
Encourage creativity and experimentation, and provide a safe space for failure and learning.

Purpose:

Communicate a clear and inspiring vision of the team’s purpose and goals.
Connect team members’ work to the organization’s broader mission and impact.
Encourage team members to find personal meaning and fulfillment in their work.

By focusing on mastery, autonomy, and purpose and implementing practical steps to support these elements, managers can create a more motivated and engaged team.

Agile Teams: 12 Key Strategies for High Performance

As we all know that there are various characteristics of an agile team, but you should also know the steps to inspire an agile team.

1. Hire people with past agile working experience

The first step to inspiring an agile team is ensuring that you have the right people. Agile projects frequently employ multidisciplinary development to create high-quality, realistic iterations.

Candidates that love working in a fast-paced, collaborative setting should be the main emphasis of hiring managers.

Additionally, agile development methodology necessitates adaptability. As a result, the entire development team must collaborate well and be prepared to work longer hours as deadlines approach.

There are a few things to remember when looking for employees with past agile working experience. First, consider the nature of the work that you need to be done.

Is it project-based?
Is it customer-facing?
Is it code-heavy?

Different agile working arrangements will require different skill sets, so it’s important to identify your company’s specific needs before beginning your search.

Second, take some time to review the resumes of potential candidates. Does their previous work experience align with the type of work you need to be done? Do they have the necessary skills and qualifications? Are they familiar with the agile methodology and principles?

Third, conduct interviews with candidates who seem like a good fit. This is your chance to get to know them better and see if they’re truly a good match for your company.

During the interview, ask questions about their previous work experience in an agile environment.

How did they handle certain situations?
What challenges did they face, and how did they overcome them?

Be sure to listen carefully to their answers so you can get a sense of whether or not they would be a good fit for your company.

2. Offer responsibility and authority to the team.

For an agile team to be successful, the team members need to feel a sense of responsibility and ownership for the product they are building. This can only happen if the team members feel that they have the authority to make decisions and see the impact of their decisions.

As a CTO, it is important to remember that an agile team is not a traditional hierarchy with one person at the top making all the decisions. Instead, a team of equals must feel empowered to work together efficiently.

There are a few things that you can do as a CTO to ensure that your agile team feels empowered and responsible for their work.

First, you must ensure that everyone on the team understands the company strategy and how their work fits it.

Second, you need to give team members the authority to make decisions and let them know that their decisions will impact the product.

Lastly, you must create a safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and feedback.

3. Communicate the expectations

Now that you have allocated the tasks, you next need to set the expectations. It can be in the form of deadlines or weekly goals. When you set the expectations, the team will know what action requires to achieve better.

The first step in effective communication is understanding what needs to be communicated. When setting expectations with an agile team, there are three main things that need to be communicated: roles, goals, and deadlines. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Roles: Everyone on the team must know what their role is. It includes understanding what is expected of them and what they are responsible for. For example, each developer should know their specific development tasks if they have a team of developers. If someone is unsure of their role or responsibilities, it can lead to confusion and frustration down the line.

Goals: The second thing that needs to be communicated is the project’s goals. Everyone on the team should be aware of the overall goal so that they can work together toward it. If someone is unclear on the goals, they may end up working against the rest of the team or going off on tangents that are not productive.

Deadlines: The third expectation that needs to be communicated is deadlines. Everyone must understand when things are due so the project can stay on track. If deadlines are not communicated effectively, it can lead to delays and frustration for everyone involved.

4. Identify the pain points and discuss the solution.

There are a few warning signs that can indicate that your agile team needs some help. These include

A lot of churns: Churn is when team members are constantly starting and stopping work on tasks or when there are a lot of hand-offs between team members. It can lead to wasted time and frustration.
Lack of focus: When team members are not focused on their work, it can lead to missed deadlines and lower-quality work.
Ineffective communication: If team members are not communicating effectively, it can lead to confusion and errors.
Poor planning: Poorly planned work can lead to delays and rework.

How to solve problems in an agile team?

Once you have identified the pain points in your team, you can start to look for solutions. Here are a few ideas:

Increase transparency: One way to reduce churn is to increase transparency within the team. It means making sure that everyone has access to the same information and that there is a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities.
Improve communication: Improving communication can help reduce confusion and improve focus. One way to do this is to establish regular check-ins where team members can ask questions and give updates on their progress.
Encourage collaboration: Collaboration can help improve planning and prevent delays. Encourage team members to work together on tasks and share their ideas.

Regular standup meetings, or daily check-ins between the project manager and team members, are the best way to keep teams motivated once a project has begun. It will help you pinpoint the pain points of work flaws and find the solution.

5. Infuse motivation through different sources.

Motivation is a must if you wish to keep your team on track. There are various sources of motivation, right from internal to external sources. Identifying the motivation needed and appreciating the team members regularly will push them to work better.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help infuse motivation among your team. Here are eight tactics you can try:

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1. Encourage a growth mindset.

It’s the belief that intelligence and talent can be developed through hard work and dedication. This belief is incredibly powerful because it means that anyone has the potential to improve and achieve their goals. As a result, individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to take on challenges, persist in the face of failure, and view feedback as helpful rather than hurtful.

2. Set stretch goals.

Another way to keep your team motivated is to set goals that are ambitious but still achievable. By pushing your team to aim higher, you’ll help them tap into their full potential and perform at their best. Ensure you provide the necessary resources and support to help them reach these goals.

3. Make it meaningful

For work to be motivating, it needs to be meaningful. Fortunately, you can do several things to make work more meaningful for your team. One thing you can do is connect their daily tasks to the company’s overall mission. You can also give them opportunities to use their skills and talents in meaningful ways. And finally, you can provide autonomy by letting them make decisions about their work.

4. Boost morale with recognition and praise.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, so take the time to recognize and praise your team members when they do something well. This could involve calling out specific successes in team meetings or sending personalized thank-you notes. You could also publicly recognize them by featuring them on the company website or social media channels.

5. Focus on progress, not perfection.

It’s important to celebrate progress— even if it’s little progress— rather than perfectionism because this will help keep your team motivated in the long run. When team members feel like they’re making progress, they’ll be more likely to engage in what they’re doing and want to continue moving forward despite setbacks along the way

6. Create an engaging workspace.

A positive working environment can also go a long way in infusing motivation among your agile team. Consider ways to make your team’s workspace more engaging, such as adding plants or fun decor, organizing weekly social events, or providing comfortable break areas. All these things will help create a space people enjoy coming into every day.

7. Invest in professional development.

Finally, you can motivate your agile team by investing in their professional development. It could involve paying for them to attend conferences or workshops, enrolling them in online courses, or offering mentorship programs. When you invest in your team’s development, you’re sending the message that you care about their growth — a powerful motivator.

8. Encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Last but not least, one final way you can help infuse motivation among your team is by encouraging them to lead healthy lifestyles. It means eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. When people take care of themselves, they have more energy, focus, and productivity— all of which are essential for maintaining motivation.

6. Stay positive even during the fall.

There are plenty of ways to stay positive and agile. Here are a few of our favorites:

Get Moving: One of the best ways to stay positive is to get up and move around. It might seem counterintuitive, but sitting in the same spot all day can actually make you feel sluggish and unmotivated. Changing up your scenery, even just for a little while, can do wonders for your mood and productivity. So go for a walk, do some stretches, or take a quick lap around the block. Your team will thank you for it.

Make A Plan: Another great way to stay positive is to have a plan. By mapping out what needs to be done and when you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by upcoming projects. Plus, seeing everything laid out in front of you can help give you a better sense of accomplishment as you check items off your list. Still trying to figure out where to start? Try using a project management tool like Asana or Trello to stay organized and on track.

Take A Break: Sometimes, the best way to stay positive is to step away from your work and take a break simply. Whether going for a walk or grabbing a coffee, taking a few minutes can help clear your head and refuel your energy levels. And when you’re ready to jump back in, you’ll be able to do so with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of focus.

Some things will always be positive, but there will be falls on the way. You need to stay positive and motivated even when there is a setback. Negative influence and disputes can worsen the fall. Instead, staying calm and moving ahead to resolve the issue with dedication can be a great base to inspire an agile team.

7. Steps to Inspire Agile Team

In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s easy for team members to get caught up in the constant demands and pressures of their roles. In an agile setting, where projects often have tight deadlines and changing requirements, it’s especially important to prioritize mental health and well-being to keep your team motivated and inspired. Here are some practical steps you can take to support your team members’ mental health:

Encourage work-life balance – Encourage team members to take breaks, prioritize their personal time, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can help prevent burnout, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Encourage them to disconnect from work outside of business hours, switch off their phones and laptops, and take some time to rest and recharge.
Foster a supportive culture – Create a supportive team culture where agile team members can openly discuss their challenges and struggles without fear of judgment. Encourage a supportive environment where employees feel free to talk to each other and their managers about their mental health and know they will be listened to without being judged or discriminated against.
Provide resources – Offering resources and support for mental health is an important step in caring for your team members. This could include access to counseling services, mental health days, or employee assistance programs. These resources can show your team members that you care about their well-being and are willing to invest in their mental health.
Recognize and appreciate – Recognize and appreciate your agile team member’s efforts and contributions. Providing positive feedback and reinforcement when they do well can help build their confidence and inspire them to continue doing their best. Celebrate their successes and acknowledge their efforts, no matter how small.
Lead by example – As a manager or team leader, it’s important to model healthy behaviors and boundaries for your team members. This can include taking breaks, disconnecting from work outside of business hours, and prioritizing your own mental health. By leading by example, you can help create a culture where mental health and well-being are a priority, inspiring your agile team members to do the same.

Taking care of your team members’ mental health is an important aspect of inspiring and motivating them in an agile environment. By encouraging work-life balance, fostering a supportive culture, providing resources, recognizing and appreciating, and leading by example, you can help create a positive and supportive work environment where team members feel valued and inspired to do their best work.

8. Encourage a learning culture in your agile team

In an agile environment, where projects are constantly evolving, and requirements are changing, team members need to be able to adapt and learn quickly. Implementing a culture of learning is essential for inspiring and motivating your team to take ownership of their work and continuously improve their skills and knowledge. Here are some practical steps you can take to foster a culture of learning within your Agile team:

Encourage continuous learning – Encourage team members to continuously improve their skills and knowledge by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences. This will not only improve their productivity and efficiency but also help them feel more engaged and invested in their work.
Provide feedback and recognition – Providing regular feedback and recognition is an important part of creating a learning culture. Encourage team members to seek feedback on their work and provide them with constructive feedback on a regular basis. Recognize and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, to encourage them to continue learning and improving.
Create a safe environment for learning – Creating a safe environment for learning is important for team members to feel comfortable taking risks and experimenting with new ideas. Encourage a culture of experimentation, where team members feel free to try out new approaches and learn from their mistakes. This will help build a culture of continuous improvement where learning is valued and encouraged.

Implementing a learning culture is essential for inspiring and motivating your agile team. By encouraging continuous learning, providing feedback and recognition, creating a safe environment for learning, and leading by example, you can foster a culture of continuous improvement and growth within your team. This will not only help team members achieve their full potential but also drive the success of your agile projects.

9. Celebrate Team Successes

Celebrating team successes is an essential aspect of inspiring and motivating your agile team. When team members work hard and achieve their goals, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements. This recognition not only boosts team morale but also reinforces a positive team culture, where successes are celebrated, and failures are viewed as opportunities for growth.

By celebrating team successes, you can inspire team members to work towards shared goals and foster a sense of pride and ownership in their work. This can lead to increased productivity, higher job satisfaction, and a greater sense of commitment to the team’s mission. Therefore, it’s important to take the time to recognize and celebrate team successes, no matter how small they may be.

10. Encourage Innovation in Your Team

Encouraging innovation within your team is essential to inspire and motivate your agile team. By promoting a culture of innovation, you can create an environment where team members feel empowered to generate new ideas, challenge established norms, and develop creative solutions to complex problems. This can result in increased engagement, higher levels of job satisfaction, and a stronger sense of ownership in the work being done.

Ultimately, encouraging innovation can help your team stay ahead of the competition and continuously enhance their processes and outcomes. It’s important to provide the necessary resources, support, and encouragement to your team to inspire them to be creative, take risks, and explore new possibilities.

11. Try Out Fun Team Building Games

Incorporating enjoyable team-building games is a valuable step in inspiring and motivating your agile team. These games help your team members to develop stronger bonds, improve communication, enhance problem-solving skills, and promote creativity. Fun activities also contribute to creating a positive work environment and increasing team morale. By building a team with a strong sense of camaraderie, you can create a more collaborative and productive work environment. Ultimately, by making time for enjoyable team-building games, you can build a stronger team capable of handling challenges and achieving success together.

12. Give timely feedback.

Lastly, you need to have regular feedback. As previously you discussed the pain points, this is the time you should ask the team members what they found to be going wrong. When you ask the team members for feedback, you can ensure that you not only inspire an agile team but also have a team to stay with for a long.

Giving timely feedback is essential for ensuring that your agile team is on track and meeting milestones. Choose a method of giving feedback that works best for your team, and aim to provide feedback at least once a week. Include specific, objective comments in your feedback, so the team knows what they are doing well and where they need improvement.

How Innovify can help build your inspired agile team

Innovify is an Avant-grade company aimed at helping you build your digital business with an innovation-led approach using its cross-functional team of agile experts and talented developers. Offering a team to help you make an enterprise application, mobile application, and others while ensuring your goal incorporates optimum functionality and helps its clients provide high work standards. Not only this, but helping its clients define their idea and get a better vision with proper research, planning, and validation. You can build an inspired agile team with an advanced team and ethical work guidelines backed by a flexible and positive work environment.

So, if you want to inspire an agile team and get the best outcome for your vision, connect with Innovify today!

FAQs

1. What makes a good agile team?

A good agile team is collaborative, communicative, and adaptable. Team members should work well together, be open to feedback and learning, and have a shared understanding of the project goals and priorities. They should also be able to pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances or new information.

2. How do you encourage an agile mindset?

To encourage an agile mindset, it is important to foster a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation. Encourage team members to take ownership of their work and to be open to feedback and learning. Encourage collaboration and communication, and promote a culture of transparency and trust.

3. What are the 4 values of an agile mindset?

The four values of an agile mindset are:

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change by following a plan

4. What are the benefits of inspiring and motivating an agile team?

Inspiring and motivating an agile team can increase productivity, better collaboration, and higher-quality work. It can also lead to a more positive team culture, increased job satisfaction, and a higher retention rate for team members.

5. What are some common challenges managers face in inspiring an agile team, and how can they be addressed?

Some common challenges managers may face in inspiring an agile team include a lack of engagement or motivation, resistance to change, and difficulty maintaining team cohesion. These challenges can be addressed by fostering open communication, setting clear goals and expectations, providing opportunities for growth and development, and recognizing and celebrating team successes.

6. What are some tips for sustaining team motivation over the long term?

Some tips for sustaining team motivation over the long term include setting achievable goals and milestones, providing regular feedback and recognition, promoting a culture of learning and growth, and creating opportunities for team members to take ownership of their work. It is also important to prioritize team building and foster community and collaboration among team members.