I have known Bob Galen for many years. I think my first memory of meeting him was at a QAI Quest Conference (I am unsure of the year). Even though we traveled in the same circles, I was a bit in awe of Bob’s ability to connect with people and provide guidance. I think I have learned a lot by studying his style. When Anthony Mersino suggested that this book be added to the list of Re-read possibilities I was excited. I nearly picked it up myself before asking the readers to vote. I was glad the readers of the Software Process and Measurement blog picked Bob’s book as their #1 choice. When I told Bob that Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching was the choice at Agile 2022, he graciously suggested that Lyssa’s classic Coaching Agile Teams go first as all of us in the coaching business is standing on her shoulders. I think Bob was being a bit self-deprecating, but now it’s time for his book. Bob has also agreed to revisit the podcast near the end of the re-read to discuss the book. 

Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching: The Journey from Beginner to Mastery and Beyond by Robert Galen  (Author), Jennifer Fields (Author), Rhiannon Galen-Personick (Author), Mark Summers (Author). Bob is the primary author, the other authors contributed chapters which I will note as we go through the re-read. The book is 398 pages and is broken into 20 chapters, two Forewords, Acknowledgements, and an Afterword.  I own the Kindle Edition which works perfectly for this book. Since I am still reading the book for the first time myself I am a little unsure about the pace. Until I know differently, I will estimate that the re-read will take 25 weeks (I assume we will miss a few weeks along the way due to holidays and general frivolity). Note rather than spell the book title out multiple times each week I am going to shorten it to EBAC or just call it Badass (because that is just fun to say in my head).

Forewords

The first of the two Forewords, written by Dan MacIntyre, reminds us that good coaching requires taking a mindful approach. Mindfulness is not something that descends from the clouds but rather requires preparation with the right knowledge and tools. Books like EBAC help coaches equip (Dan uses the toolbox metaphor) themselves so they can connect with their clients.

The second Foreword by Paddy Cory made two points that caused me to think. The first was that agile coaching is evolving and as coaches, we need to evolve also. As agilists, we extol the virtues of “inspecting and adapting” – as the adage says, “physicians heal thy selves”. Run coaching experiments, gain experience, and grow. 

The second item that Paddy highlights is the need for coaches to take a wider range of stances to deliver coaching services. I have at times become enamored with being a servant leader when being a trainer or providing mentoring might have been a better approach. Coaches, me – just saying, need to recognize that they have to use multiple stances to help the people we are coaching learn and grow. I believe this foreshadows the content of the book.

Next week Chapter 1 – Introduction to Badassery in Agile Coaching