Rise Up Leadership

06/26/2024

In Agile Project Management, retrospectives are not just a meeting; they're a powerful tool for accountability and growth.

Like hotwashes for the military, by reflecting on what worked, what didn't, and why, teams hold themselves accountable for continuous improvement.

As Dwight D. Eisenhower said, 'Accountability breeds response-ability.'

Let's embrace retrospectives to foster a culture of learning and adaptability, driving us towards excellence one sprint at a time.

06/20/2024

I'm happy to announce that Rise Up Leadership will be offering multiple classes for Coasties to earn their RBLP certifications over the next few months, all available before the FY24 cut-off date for education benefits with CG COOL!

We want to ensure that all Coasties have the opportunity to apply for our courses prior to the cut-off date so they can utilize their well-earned educational benefits to better themselves and those around them.

Teams who train together perform at higher levels!

Here are the upcoming course dates:

- July 15 to July 29

- August 5 to August 21

- September 9 to September 23

We have multiple coaches, in multiple time zones, ready to help you and your team get certified!

Reach out to me to sign up! [email protected]

Collective resilience is the team’s ability to overcome adversity, and then adapt and grow together because of that adversity. Resilient teams are the key to both individual and organizational resilience.

06/11/2024

Are you working to build a good climate and culture at your unit?

Let's dig deeper into these concepts since they have become buzz words by reviewing what Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP) says:

https://resiliencebuildingleader.com/building-and-leading-resilient-teams-curriculum/module-1/

Climate is the shared perceptions that people have regarding the attitudes and emotions that characterize their team

and

Culture is the shared values and beliefs that govern how people behave across an organization.

You see, Climate within your team is all about the emotions each team member brings to work every day. One team member bringing a negative, toxic attitude can great affect the climate of the team. Think of climate as coming from the bottom up of the ranks. Each person is responsible to promote positivity, be respectful to everyone, and show empathy towards others.

Culture is from the top down with things like a Mission Statement, Vision, and leadership values. Culture starts by leading by example living the values you desire of your team, fostering an organization of making people feel appreciated with a purpose, and driving continuous improvement through high standards and accountability.

Understanding the difference between Climate and Culture is imperative for military leaders.

Want to earn your certificate for Building and Leading Resilient teams learning the tools of how to build a organization with a good climate and culture?

Contact us at Rise Up Leadership. Classes start each month!

www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

Building and Leading Resilient Teams Module 1 dated 3-30-2023 Next update summer 2024. Building and Leading Resilient Teams: Module 1 Module 1: Raise Module 1

06/10/2024

Commanding Officers/Officer in Charges (CO/OICs) in the US Coast Guard: Ideal Product Owners in Agile Project Management

CO/OICs possess exceptional leadership and strategic skills making them outstanding Product Owners:

1. Visionary Leadership: CO/OICs excel in defining and communicating a clear vision, aligning with the requirements for a product owner in setting and maintaining their vision.

2. Stakeholder Management: The CO/OIC is the face of the unit where the Product Owner is the face of the organization working with multiple stakeholders with different ideas. CO/OICs work hard to ensure all stakeholders are satisfied, similar to that of Product Owners.

3. Decision-Making: CO/OICs are experienced in making critical decisions swiftly, a necessary trait for a product owner to keep the project on track. CO/OICs understand how fast change can happen where last-minute decisions are necessary. With Agile Project Management, change becomes the norm because we have more knowledge and understanding of the problem as the product develops .

Agile Ceremonies:

- Sprint Planning (or Dept Head Meetings): CO/OICs can articulate the command intent, ensuring teams understand the overarching goals and priorities for the sprint. Direct collaboration with the entire team is paramount, creating an environment of trust and open communication. The CO/OIC focuses on the “What” and the “Why” while the team develops the “How” together with the CO/OIC ready to provide guidance.

- Daily Stand-Ups (or Morning Muster): While the team runs the daily stands up these meetings facilitate clear and consistent communication, allowing the team to collaborate with the CO/OICs any barriers to the day’s events ensuring alignment and address any obstacles promptly.

- Sprint Reviews (or Debriefs): Where the team can show their work off, discuss plans forward, and ensure the product mirrors the CO/OICs command intent. CO/OICs continuously receive reports about he status of projects and the next steps forward which aligns with the role as a product owner. Furthermore, understanding and managing team velocity (how much work they can accomplish within a Sprint) helps CO/OICs avoid burnout and maintain sustainable productivity, ensuring long-term success.

- Sprint Retrospectives (or Hotwash): Serves as a post-event review to understand what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve. For CO/OICs, these sessions are invaluable for gaining immediate feedback, enhancing team cohesion, and improving future mission planning. This continuous learning and adaptation process ensures better performance and strategic alignment, benefiting both military operations and Agile project management.

Seats available for the class starting week of July 5, meeting twice a week in the evenings for a couple of hours earning your PMI-ACP certificate!

www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

https://calendly.com/riseupleadershipllc

06/07/2024

Why Coast Guard Executive Officers and Executive Petty Officers Excel as Scrum Masters

Executive Officers (XOs) and Executive Petty Officers (XPOs) in the Coast Guard bring a wealth of leadership and organizational skills to the role of Scrum Master, making them exceptionally well-suited for this pivotal position in Agile teams. Here's how their military experience aligns perfectly with Scrum practices:

- Department Head Meetings = Scrum Planning: In both settings, the focus is on setting strategic priorities, coordinating efforts, and ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

- Morning Musters = Daily Stand-Ups: Quick, focused check-ins to align the team, discuss progress, and address any immediate concerns.

- Debriefs = Sprint Reviews: Reviewing progress, outcomes, and deliverables to ensure the team is on track and meeting its goals.

- Hot Washes = Retrospectives: Reflecting on what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve processes moving forward, fostering continuous growth and adaptation.

The Growth of Scrum Master Positions in S&P 500 Companies

The role of Scrum Master has seen significant growth in S&P 500 companies, driven by the increasing adoption of Agile methodologies to enhance flexibility, efficiency, and productivity. As organizations strive to stay competitive and responsive to market changes, the demand for skilled Scrum Masters continues to rise.

- Leadership and Discipline: The structured environment and leadership experience of XOs and XPOs make them ideal candidates for Scrum Master roles, where guiding teams, managing dynamics, and ensuring adherence to Agile principles are crucial.

- Strategic Alignment: Their ability to align team efforts with organizational goals directly parallels the Scrum Master’s role in ensuring the team’s work supports the sprint and project objectives.

- Continuous Improvement: The military’s emphasis on debriefs and hot washes for continuous improvement aligns perfectly with Agile’s focus on retrospectives.

As the need for effective Scrum Masters grows, particularly in leading companies within the S&P 500, the unique skills and experiences of XOs and XPOs position them as natural leaders in these roles, driving team success and organizational agility.



Contact us below to earn your certificate using CG COOL!

https://calendly.com/riseupleadershipllc

06/05/2024

Daily Scrum (or morning muster for military): Enhancing Productivity and Clarity

I want to highlight the importance of the Daily Scrum in driving team productivity and ensuring everyone is aligned with the day's objectives. Here are key strategies to make the most of this critical meeting:

1. Clarify Today's Objectives: Ensure everyone understands the main tasks and priorities for the day. Clear objectives provide a focused direction and help the team stay on track. As the Product Owner, I want to avoid the shotgun effect. The shotgun effect is where people leave their morning meeting without understanding the team objectives and how they fit in. They end up in siloes, not understanding the big picture.

2. Promote Open Communication: Encourage each team member to share their updates and actively listen to others. The team needs updates on the projects. While some think tracking progress is a “waste of time”, every team needs metrics. Each team member must also work towards the goal and pull their weight. Many organizations are working with fewer people, therefore, leaders need to ensure that each person is accountable to their duties.

3. Identify and Address Blockers: Use this time to surface any obstacles hindering progress. By addressing blockers promptly, the team can work together to find solutions and maintain momentum. Additionally, leaders can build trust when the team needs it! If somebody on the team is struggling with a barrier and their leadership comes to their aid, instant creditability and trust.

4. Maintain Efficiency: Keep the meeting brief and to the point. This respects everyone's time and helps maintain a high energy level, enabling the team to quickly move on to productive work. Nobody likes a morning meeting that lasts two hours. 15 minutes is the ideal time for the morning meeting. Create a Parking Lot, or Anchorage as I like to call it, where off topic ideas can be posted to chat later. This is not a time to solve all the world's problems! If more discussion is necessary, post it on the Anchorage and keep stakeholders back after the meeting, letting others go so they can be productive.

Implementing these practices will make your Daily Scrum more effective, helping your team stay productive and aligned with their daily goals.

06/03/2024

Rise Up Leadership is proud to present Project Management Class focused on Coast Guard. All costs are covered by CG-COOL.

Coasties will have the opportunity to earn a LIFELONG certificates with Scrum.org called Profession Scrum Master AND a certificate through Project Management Institute called Agile Certified Practitioner!

What is a Scrum Master or Agile Coach? Just think Executive Petty Officer duties. Organize meetings, ensure team understands expectations, train the team on their duties and organizational management, and help Commanding Officer / Officer in Charge bring their vision to life.

Average annual pay for Scrum Master and Agile Coach is well into the Six Figure range! And you are already doing Agile 85% of the way!

Do you hold department meetings? That’s Scrum Planning Ceremonies being Agile! Do you hold Debriefs, then that is Retrospectives within Agile too! You like musters in the morning game planning the day, then you are doing Daily Stand Ups and are an Agilist!

Let us help you get certified so you can transition into higher paying jobs getting credit as Project Managers on things you already do!

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Scrum-Master-Salary

Why Agile Project Management is Important for Leaders in the Coast Guard? Check out this data from the State of Agile Report for 2024!

High-performing Agile teams have three things: People-centric values, clear culture, tools, and leadership empowerment.

80% of the respondents said their company is using Agile as their predominant approach to Project Management.

50% are using a hybrid approach with a combination of Agile and Waterfall (PMP).

80% of respondents stated Agile worked very well or well for their company.

Among those satisfied with Agile practices 70% of respondents said that they are satisfied because of the increased collaboration.

78% of respondents indicated that their Agile teams have visibility into the pipeline.

https://pmwares.com/state-of-agile-project-management-report/

If you and your team need more transparency, collaboration, and accountability, then Rise Up Leadership is here to help! Contact and follow me for more information.

https://www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

https://calendly.com/riseupleadershipllc

04/09/2024

Are you struggling with communication breakdowns between your teams and leadership?

Finding it challenging to ensure that your project management initiatives align with your organization's broader strategic goals?

Rise Up Leadership has the solutions you need! Join our upcoming classes:

Agile Project Management (PMI-ACP Cert Prep): Master the art of adapting and thriving in a fast-paced business environment. Course starts on May 7th.

• Increased Flexibility and Adaptability: Scrum and Agile methodologies prioritize flexibility and adaptability, allowing teams to respond quickly to changing requirements.

• Improved Collaboration and Communication: Scrum and Agile frameworks emphasize collaboration and communication among team members, stakeholders, and customers.

• Faster Time-to-Market and Reduced Risks: The incremental nature of Scrum and Agile allows for early identification and mitigation of risks, as issues are addressed proactively during short sprints. This proactive risk management approach minimizes project delays, cost overruns, and unexpected challenges, resulting in more predictable project outcomes.

Building and Leading Resilient Teams (RBLP Cert Prep): Equip yourself with the skills to foster resilience and lead your team through challenges with confidence. Course starts on May 22nd.

• People who earn the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional® Trainer certification are qualified to build and lead resilient teams in the workplace by creating a positive climate, developing cohesion, and providing purpose. They are also qualified to facilitate team learning and support organizational learning.

• Increased Professional Trust from Employers and the Public. Earning a leadership certification demonstrates your commitment to professionalism. Current and potential employers will place more trust in you because you are a certified leader. Getting certified will also help you earn the trust of your organization’s customers, clients, and the public.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your leadership skills and drive success in your organization! Visit our website to learn more and sign up: https://www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

Certifications are approved by the Department of Defense for the Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) program for military service members.

https://calendly.com/riseupleadershipllc

03/28/2024

Organizations, especially the military, need to adopt agile project management into their workforce to increase productivity, decrease waste, and be good stewards of tax payers dollars. Traditional project management is too rigid for the military where change is required. Not only is it required, it is expected.

Agile principles serve as the foundation for Agile methodologies, guiding the development and delivery of high-quality products. In the context of the military, these principles offer a framework for navigating the unique challenges faced in multiple domains. Some key Agile principles include delivering working solutions regularly, collaborating with stakeholders throughout the process, and adapting to changing requirements even late in the development process.

Understanding and internalizing these principles is crucial for the successful adoption of Agile within the military. By aligning project management practices with these principles, the organization can enhance its ability to respond to emerging threats, improve mission outcomes, and increase overall operational efficiency.

Are you interested in creating a culture that thrives on change? Reach out to me at:

https://www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

https://calendly.com/riseupleadershipllc

03/27/2024

Are you the kind of leader who prioritizes your team's well-being above all else?

Let's talk about ensuring your crew isn't burnt out from overwhelming workloads. Equip yourself with the essential tools to track their progress effectively while maintaining a healthy balance. Join me in an immersive Agile Project Management Class where we focus on leadership strategies to shield your team from burnout, sidestep micromanagement pitfalls, and empower emerging leaders. Elevate your leadership game and safeguard your team's success!

What is Agile Project Management?

Agile is not just a project management methodology; it represents a paradigm shift in how organizations approach work and deliver value. At its core, Agile is a set of guiding principles and values that prioritize adaptability, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. In the context of the Armed Services, adopting an Agile mindset means embracing flexibility in the face of ever-changing operational requirements, fostering open communication, and prioritizing the end-user's needs.

The Agile Manifesto, a foundational document in Agile methodology, articulates four key values and twelve principles that guide Agile practices. These values include valuing individuals and interactions over processes and tools, favoring working solutions over comprehensive documentation, customer collaboration over contract negotiation, and responding to change over following a plan.

Contact us below to find our next class!
https://www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

https://calendly.com/riseupleadershipllc

03/16/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Ready to supercharge your team's resilience and leadership skills with globally recognized certifications? Look no further!

We're thrilled to announce that new classes for Building and Leading Resilient Teams are starting every month. See more at: https://resiliencebuildingleader.com/

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, our comprehensive courses will equip you with the tools and strategies needed to navigate challenges with grace and lead your team to success.

Upon completion, you'll earn certifications that open doors globally, showcasing your expertise and commitment to excellence in leadership and team development.

Join us for an empowering learning experience that will transform the way you approach teamwork and leadership!

Don't miss out! Reserve your spot today and unlock the potential of your team with certifications that speak volumes worldwide!

https://www.riseupleadershipllc.com/contact

01/22/2024

Unlock the Power of Purpose!

Ever wondered why understanding individual purpose is the key to building and leading resilient teams? Join our upcoming classes starting in February 2024 to explore this transformative journey!

Uncover the secrets of resilient leadership.
Learn the art of analyzing individual purpose.
Build teams that thrive on purpose-driven collaboration.

Use your employer education benefits with no money out of pocket!

Connect with Coach Eric at [email protected] to reserve your spot and embark on a leadership revolution!

Don't miss this chance to empower yourself and your team for success.



More information at:
https://www.riseupleadershipllc.com/rblp-info