Since this is the very first post on Agile Besties, it only feels right to start with why this blog and website were created in the first place. The vision behind Agile Besties is to cultivate a community of Agile practitioners who are passionate about learning, sharing, and growing together. This space was born out of a desire to demystify Agile principles, offer real-world insights, and provide support for teams and individuals navigating their Agile journeys. I believe that Agile is not just a set of frameworks or processes, but a way of thinking that encourages adaptability, innovation, and, most importantly, purpose-driven work. Through this blog, I aim to bring you thoughtful discussions, practical advice, and inspiring stories that keep the human side of Agile at the forefront. My “Why” is simple: to empower Scrum Masters and Agile teams to connect with their purpose, work collaboratively, and create sustainable, meaningful change. I’m excited to start this journey with you, and I hope that each post sparks curiosity, insight, and a renewed commitment to your own Agile “Why.”

Inspired by Simon Sinek’s book Start With Why this post delves into the essence of understanding our motivations in Agile practices. Sinek contrasts manipulation with inspiration, emphasizing that while the former may yield quick gains, the latter fuels lasting perseverance. When teams grasp the importance of their work, they foster resilience in challenging times, echoing the principles of sustainability. Adopting Agile isn’t merely about implementing new processes; it requires a profound mind shift that often disrupts traditional thinking.

One particularly transformative experience occurred when one of my Agile teams began having intentional conversations about their “Why”. (These conversations started after the team was trained in Behavior Driven Development. They were challenged to think in terms of behavior and outcomes to prioritize business value.) Initially, the team struggled with prioritization, leading to frequent conflicts over which user stories deserved attention. Each story seemed to vie for a place in the sprint, regardless of its actual importance or urgency. This chaotic environment resulted in missed deadlines and delays in initiating critical work, which in turn led to frustration from both the team and the Product stakeholders. However, as the team started to center their discussions around their collective “Why,” a remarkable shift occurred. They began using this shared understanding to guide their trade-off decisions, allowing them to prioritize work that aligned with their overarching goals. This newfound clarity led to improved focus during iterations and quarterly increments, as team members could articulate why certain tasks were more valuable than others. As a result, they experienced fewer arguments regarding the “How” of implementation, reducing tension and enhancing collaboration with the Product Owner. This alignment not only streamlined their workflow but also fostered a more cohesive team dynamic, ultimately resulting in timely and higher quality delivery of features and higher overall morale.

Daniel Pink’s book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us offers valuable insights that resonate deeply with the Agile mindset, particularly when it comes to the importance of understanding the “Why.” Pink’s research reveals that traditional motivators—like bonuses and pay raises—only drive performance for tasks involving basic, mechanical skills. For more complex tasks that require creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving, these financial incentives actually become counterproductive. Instead, Pink identifies three key motivators that elevate performance and engagement for knowledge workers: autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Autonomy allows team members to self-direct, which is essential in Agile environments where collaboration and ownership are fundamental. Mastery refers to the drive to continually improve and grow, aligning with Agile’s focus on iterative learning and improvement. And, crucially, Purpose connects individuals to a larger vision—their “Why”—which Pink describes as the desire to contribute to something meaningful. Without purpose, teams can feel disconnected, treating their work as a series of tasks rather than a journey with real impact.

When Agile teams are empowered with these motivators and a clear purpose, they don’t just complete sprints; they innovate, they feel ownership over their work, and they are truly engaged. As Pink suggests, by connecting with their “Why,” Agile teams move beyond compliance to achieve sustained motivation and performance, which are essential for Agile success. Without a clear “Why,” teams can face scope creep, misalignment, and frequent rework, resulting in missed targets. To combat these challenges, teams should reflect on their values, ask hard questions, share their purpose, and ensure their goals align with their “Why.”

This focus on the “Why” also aligns closely with the first principle of the Agile Manifesto: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools. At its core, Agile is a human-centered approach that emphasizes collaboration, communication, and personal connections. When a team understands its collective purpose, interactions become more meaningful, and decision-making becomes more aligned. Rather than simply following processes or relying on tools to drive outcomes, Agile teams are empowered by a shared “Why” to navigate challenges together, fostering stronger relationships and deeper trust. This principle reminds us that no tool or process can substitute for the human connection that emerges when individuals are united by a common purpose. When a team values individuals and interactions, they’re not just checking boxes; they’re actively engaging with one another, innovating together, and supporting each other on a journey guided by a clear and compelling purpose.

As Simon Sinek reminds us in Start With Why, understanding our purpose isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the very foundation for lasting success and fulfillment. For Agile teams, starting with a clear and shared “Why” means more than just moving faster; it means moving with intention, direction, and purpose. When each team member understands the reason behind their work, they don’t just show up—they engage, innovate, and contribute to something bigger than themselves. Agile isn’t just about delivering results in sprints; it’s about building a sustainable journey where everyone is inspired to reach the finish line. So, ask yourselves: What’s your Why? Let it be your compass, your fuel, and the heartbeat of your Agile journey.

And the next time your team asks, ‘Why are we doing this?’ you can smile and say, ‘Because we’re on a mission, not just a sprint. And we’re aiming for the North Star, not just the nearest coffee break!