posts

Need a New Year’s fix? Try my Top 10 Tips for Trainers

Are you a trainer with a passion for continuous improvement? Do you believe that lifelong learning is a key to satisfaction and success? As for me, I do a moderate amount of training each year, and one of the things I love about training is that learning goes two ways. Each time I finish
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Turning the page to 2017

It's that time again, when we put high expectations and great hopes on display, usually a step or two above the accomplishments (good or bad) of the previous year. Like many humans, I catch myself in a pensive spirit in late December, and this session is no different from times past... except I'm a
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Sign up now for Coaching Beyond the Team

Here in the USA, the summer travel season is heating up. Before you head off to exotic destinations, I want to let you know about a special opportunity right here in our area.  Esther Derby and Don Gray are offering their outstanding workshop, Coaching Beyond the Team, in Costa Mesa, Sept 13 & 14.  I
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Using Dominoes for Scenario Play

If you're looking for a way to randomize a group and match them with scenarios for role play, I suggest trying dominoes. I've recently been speaking on the topic of pair-coaching, and in developing my workshop, I've been tinkering with using double-nine wooden dominoes. The face of a domino tile is divided into two ends,
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My TakeAways from #TBR with Sharon Bowman

In the days leading up to the Global Scrum Gathering (Orlando, FL), the Braintrust Consulting Group organized a two-day Training from the BACK of the Room (TBR) workshop just up the road from the Loews Royal Pacific Resort. It was a fast-paced, high-energy two days with Sharon Bowman and 32 attendees, set in a
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Pre-conceptions of Scrum Coaching Retreats

Are you new to Scrum Coaching Retreats? Wondering what exactly you’re signing up for? I was in that position last year, and I’d like to share my observations. It is not a conference, as there are no sessions or speakers. It is Agile Coaches working in Scrum teams, diving deep into topics that they are
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Inside Out and the Check In core protocol

I'm checking in, Inside Out style: a bit more detailed than a standard protocol check in, but shorter than the movie. I'm GLAD to use the Core Protocols - most particularly, the Check In . I've had the privilege to have met Jim McCarthy - what an amazing and passionate human being.  I'm honored to belong
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Kickstarter launched for Lean Coffee card decks

I've been talking up my Lean Coffee Conversation Starters since the early part of this year, mostly in face-to-face discussions. The decks I have been envisioning would each contain the best and most popular topics from my over three years of hosting local meetups, as well as a number of sessions up and down
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Keeping busy between jobs

Being out of work is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, having long stretches of time to focus thoughts and efforts on pet projects and learning is amazing. With clear vision and consistent effort, one can make tremendous progress in achieving high-value goals. On the other hand, you're still out of a
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Agile games, simulations and learning activities

A colleague approached me recently with a request. He was about to meet with a new division of his company and lead transformation activities at the team level, so he wanted advice on the best agile games to include. As usual, I turned my advice into a blog post so that (hopefully) others can
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