In 30 seconds
- Coaches teams, leaders and organizations, not just individuals.
- Teaches, mentors, facilitates and coaches as needed.
- Success means teams need the coach less over time.
Four stances
| Stance | When |
|---|---|
| Teaching | People need new knowledge |
| Mentoring | Sharing experience |
| Coaching | Helping people find their own answers |
| Facilitating | Running productive group sessions |
This framework draws on Lyssa Adkins' work, including Coaching Agile Teams (2010). See coaching stance.
Coach vs Scrum Master
A Scrum Master is accountable for one Scrum team's effectiveness. An agile coach usually works across several teams or at organization level, and may coach Scrum Masters too.
Choosing a coach
- Real delivery experience, not just certificates
- Can adapt to your context rather than imposing one framework
- Works toward making themselves unnecessary
Myth vs reality
Myth · Coaches tell teams what to do.
Reality · Good coaches help teams decide.
Myth · One coach can transform an organization.
Reality · Leadership commitment matters more.
Myth · Coaching is only for struggling teams.
Reality · High-performing teams benefit too.
The AI angle
Coaches increasingly help teams adopt AI well: agreeing review practices, protecting learning for junior members, and spotting output-over-outcome thinking.
FAQ
Do we need an agile coach?
Often helpful early in adoption or during major change.
How long should a coach stay?
Until the organization can sustain its own improvement.
What certifications exist?
Several, from ICAgile, Scrum Alliance and others.