The Mob Mentality Show

"The Mob Moves Too Slow for Me"

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive into a challenge faced by many mobbers: the varying speeds of team members. Inspired by an X conversation in the community, we explore various possible experiments to run when someone in the ensemble says "The Mob Moves Too Slow for Me."
🔗 Join the Discussion:
Link to Community Tweet: https://x.com/EnverBral/status/1789533801690825041
🔍 Key Topics Covered:
Speeding Up the Mob: Should the mob match the speed of the fastest member?
Constructive Feedback: Transforming into a feedback machine and coach to help the team grow and improve continuously.
Utilizing Excess Brain Cycles: How to use spare mental capacity to build tools, automate tasks, and support the team's efficiency.
Career Direction and North Star: Conversations on finding and aligning with your career goals and personal mission.
Diverse Mob Roles: Leveraging roles such as forward-looking research while others focus on production to enhance team learning and speed.
Effects of Working Alone: Understanding the side effects of working solo and how it impacts team dynamics.
Temporary Splits: Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of splitting from the mob temporarily for specialized tasks and re-integrating.
Impact of Decisions: The inevitability of being affected by others' decisions even when working independently.
Deepening Knowledge Gaps: The risks of creating solutions that no one else on the team understands and how to mitigate this.
High-Octane Collaboration: The advantages of co-locating with other fast-paced mobbers to enhance productivity.
Natural Splits: When different personal missions lead to a natural division within the mob.
System vs. Sub-System Optimization: Balancing the optimization of the whole system against focusing on sub-systems.
Mob Programming Benefits: Understanding the financial benefits and ROI of mob programming.
Voluntary Participation: The importance of not forcing team members to mob if they prefer other ways of working.
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📢 Engage with Us: Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Have you faced similar challenges in your mob programming journey? How did you address them? Let's learn from each other!
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🔗 Connect with Us: https://www.mobmentalityshow.com/Get ready for a deep dive into the intricacies of mob programming and discover how to harmonize varying speeds within your team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Tune in now!
Video and show notes: https://youtu.be/MnMHX5d_Mdc 

Mobbing in the Midst of Waterfalls

Welcome to the Mob Mentality Show! In this episode, "Mobbing in the Midst of Waterfalls," we explore how mobbing can survive and even thrive when surrounded by traditional waterfall teams. Full of practical insights, this episode is especially helpful for those navigating diverse workflows.
### Topics Covered:
**1. Mobbing in Lean/Agile vs. Waterfall**Learn the key differences and challenges, and how mobbing can bridge the gap between these methodologies.
**2. Collective Automation**Discover how mob teams collaborate on automation and pipelines with waterfall teams to aid tech integration. Understand how mob teams can drive automation initiatives that benefit the entire organization. 
**3. WIP and Scope Negotiation**Master the art of negotiating WIP and thin slice scopes with waterfall teams.
**4. Scheduling Mob Time**Find practical strategies to mob with waterfall team members, overcoming scheduling conflicts.
**.5 Avoiding Bottlenecks**Learn how to support others and ensure smooth progress that prevent workflow congestion.
**6. Rogue Lean Story**Hear a concrete story about maintaining lean principles within a waterfall framework. Discover strategies to fight for optimal cycle times.
**7. Creative Solutions**Unlock innovative solutions by thinking of third alternatives to achieve business goals. Gain a clear understanding of business problems, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in tech solutions.
### Why Listen?
This episode offers practical advice, real-world stories, and insights on maintaining mobbing techniques within waterfall environments. Tune in to balance agility and structure, foster continuous improvement, and drive successful automation across your organization.
Don’t miss this enlightening episode of the Mob Mentality Show – "Mobbing in the Midst of Waterfalls." Subscribe now!
**Subscribe to the Mob Mentality Show on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms for more insightful discussions and advice.**
Video and show notes: https://youtu.be/t9v0T6saH10 

Leveling Up Teams with Mark Shead

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive into software development and team dynamics with Mark Shead. Discover how to revolutionize your team's productivity and create a more enjoyable work environment.
### **Leveling Up the Entire Team**- **Maximizing Software Investment & Fun:** Learn how mob programming boosts software investment value and enjoyment.- **Team Size Strategies:** Debate whether to tackle problems with large teams or start with just 5 people.- **Real-Life Transformation:** Hear the story of five individuals transitioning from solo work to pair/mob programming and the positive outcomes including reduced cycle times, enhanced delivery rates, knowledge sharing, and collective code ownership. - **Overcoming Silos:** Address the challenge of tying self-worth to personal knowledge silos and the sunk cost fallacy.- **Bottleneck Resolution:** Compare R&D bottleneck resolution in solo, isolated pair/mob, and dynamic pair/mob setups.- **Team Health:** Learn why the speed of asking questions and seeking help is crucial for team health.- **Risk and Virtue:** Discuss taking risks from a firm foundation and acting virtuously in a team, regardless of consequences.- **Sponsoring Risk Takers:** Discover the importance of sponsoring and encouraging team members who take risks and ask questions.- **Learning Vulnerability:** Hear Austin's baseball coach story on vulnerability and its relevance to software teams.
### **Effective Remote Teams**- **Solo Work vs. Collaboration:** Examine the norm of solo work and scheduled meetings leading to eight-hour days filled with meetings.- **Booking Meetings:** Understand the inefficiency of booking meetings weeks in advance just to get necessary information.- **Remote Team Room:** Learn about the remote team room approach that reduces cycle time for information sharing and fosters real-time collaboration.- **Video Call Dynamics:** Address the fear of being on video and the impact of informal versus formal video styles on zoom fatigue.
### **BDD & TDD: The State of Software Development**- **Roman Bridges Legend:** Reflect on the "hopefulness" in the software industry and the parallels with the legend of Roman bridges.- **Known vs. Unknown:** Delve into what is known versus unknown in software development.- **BDD/TDD Practices:** Discuss how much BDD/TDD should be integrated with the UI and the fear of creating test code that might need changes later.- **Evolving Product Code:** Become comfortable with evolving both product and test code.- **Coupling Tests to Design:** Debate whether to couple tests to design or not, comparing London versus Detroit approaches.- **Unmatched Confidence:** Discover the confidence boost that comes with well-executed BDD/TDD.- **Safe R&D Spaces:** Balance the need for a safe time-boxed R&D experimental code with the certainty of test-driven development.- **Humoring the Coach:** Hear anecdotes about teams humoring their coaches with TDD, only to embrace it enthusiastically the next day.
Don't miss this insightful episode filled with practical tips, real-life stories, and advice on enhancing your team's performance and software development practices. Tune in now to level up your team with Mark Shead!
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/8yJmuXWgVbU  

Mobbing, Retrospectives, and Just-In-Time Team Learning with Diana Larsen

In this episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we are thrilled to have Diana Larsen, a leader in agility and team dynamics, join us for an in-depth conversation. Together, we explore the transformative power of mobbing, micro-retrospectives, and just-in-time learning for agile teams.
**Micro-Retros:**- Discover how mobbing enhances the effectiveness of retrospectives.- Address common complaints about retrospectives, such as time consumption.- Learn how to integrate retrospectives seamlessly into the workflow.- Understand the benefits of starting small, learning frequently, and continuously improving.- Find the right cadence for short retrospectives, like using Pomodoro techniques or end-of-session reviews.- Debate the necessity of including all five steps of a retrospective in a mini-retro.- Explore the compound benefits of consistently "turning up the good" and building team confidence.- Compare immediate actions in mini-retros to the traditional retrospective action items.- See how natural, on-the-fly mini-retros can respond effectively to events.- Discuss the role and timing of scheduled umbrella retrospectives.- Examine system-level umbrella retrospectives, such as using Wardley Mapping for IT teams.- Explore the dynamics of inter-team umbrella retrospectives.
**Just-in-Time Learning:**- Harness the power of just-in-time learning through mini-retros.- Learn how to embed learning into the work process rather than treating it as a separate activity.- Understand the importance of not delaying learning when it’s most needed.- Build co-intelligence within your team.- Discover the immediate value of applying new knowledge.- Learn strategies for quickly scanning books to set the stage for later just-in-time application.- Discuss the value of knowledge that always applies and different types of knowledge.- Navigate known unknowns and unknown unknowns in learning.- Embrace a growth mindset and turn "I don't know" into a starting point rather than a barrier.- Contrast the roles of software journalists versus software engineers in team learning.
**New Ways of Working and the Future of Work:**- Debate whether Agile is becoming fragile and outdated.- Explore the diffusion of Agile innovation with its pioneers.- Learn creative approaches to high-collaboration, creative work.- Looking ahead to new methodologies like Beyond Budgeting, Systems Thinking, and Wardley Mapping.- Discover the continuous improvement efforts of leading Agile practitioners.- Revisit Agile principles and values to compare and contrast with new movements.- Respond effectively to emerging movements in the Agile space.- Accept the limits of learning everything and seek insights from thought leaders.- Witness the birth of new movements and predict the next thought leaders in Agile.
**Diana's New Books:**- Dive into the 2nd Edition of "The Agile Retrospectives Book" which has just been released.- Understand how this book serves as a catalyst for team learning and improvements.- Discover the significant changes and updates since the first edition, including a section on remote retrospectives.- Explore the meticulous re-analysis and updates made to every sentence and word in the book.- Learn about Diana’s personal epiphany in her book "Lead Without Blame" and its focus on leadership, environments, and team responsiveness.
**Diana's Upcoming Talks and Work:**- Get a preview of Diana’s upcoming talks at the Agile World Conference and the XP Conference.- Learn about her participation in LinkedIn Live Events and the Agile Coaching Network as a panelist.- Gain insights into her ongoing efforts in coaching leaders and influencing the Agile community.
Join us for this insightful episode filled with practical tips, expert advice, and forward-thinking strategies to enhance your team’s Agile practices and continuous improvement journey. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay updated with the latest from the Mob Mentality Show!
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/ONrfef1nkwc 

The 7th Habit of a Highly Effective Mobber: Sharpen the Saw (7 Habits)

Welcome to another episode of the Mob Mentality Show! In this episode, we dig into the essential 7th Habit of Highly Effective People: "Sharpen the Saw." Join us as we explore the concept's vital role in Mob Programming.
**In This Episode, We Discuss:**- The significance of "Sharpen the Saw" in the Genesis of Mob Programming with Woody Zuill.- The repercussions of neglecting to "Sharpen the Saw" and its impact on team efficiency and personal growth.- Strategies for integrating "Sharpen the Saw" into your workday versus outside of work hours.- The importance of dedicated learning time for continuous improvement.- Comparing ad-hoc and scheduled approaches to sharpening the saw.- Using learning sessions to enhance team skill diversity and foster a culture of growth.- When to use kanban cards for "sharpen the saw" activities- Creating a well-ordered life with scheduled habits for consistent personal and professional development.- Insights from "The Power of Habit" and "Atomic Habits" on stacking habits for maximum impact.- Transforming real knowledge and belief into action through proper identity and motivations.
Tune in to discover practical tips and strategies to keep your team sharp, focused, and continuously improving. Whether you're a seasoned mobber or new to the practice, this episode offers valuable takeaways to enhance your team's productivity and collaboration.
**Don't miss this dive into the 7th Habit!**
**Join the Conversation:**Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments! How do you incorporate "Sharpen the Saw" in your daily routine? Let’s learn and grow together!
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/_Uu0EXhV8oY  

The 6th Habit of a Highly Effective Mobber: Synergize (7 Habits)

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Mob Mentality Show! 🚀 In this episode, we dive deep into the 6th Habit of Highly Effective Mobbers: Synergize. Join us as we unravel the true essence of synergy and dispel common misconceptions portrayed in pop culture.
📚 **What We Discuss:**- **Synergy Defined**: We explore the book definition of synergize and clear up misunderstandings surrounding the concept.- **Power of Collaboration**: Discover how collaboration amplifies outcomes and why valuing people’s differences is crucial.- **Combining Strengths**: Learn the art of leveraging diverse strengths to create powerful results.- **Mathematical Analogies**: Understand when 1 + 1 equals 2.5, and why sometimes 1 + 1 can equal 1 or even -5.- **Third Alternative Creation**: Find out how to create innovative solutions that go beyond compromise.- **Listening to Understand**: Master the skill of active listening to foster better communication.- **Openness to Feedback**: Embrace feedback with an open mind to enhance personal and team growth.- **Trust and Respect**: See how a self-reinforcing feedback loop of trust and respect can elevate team dynamics.- **Improv Techniques**: Utilize "yes, and" and perfect comedic timing to boost creativity and problem-solving.- **Safe Experimentation**: Learn to make each person's experiment fast, safe, and a valuable learning experience.- **Embracing Failure**: Cultivate an environment where being wrong and failing is part of the journey to success.
🔍 **Why Listen?**- Enhance your teamwork skills by learning how to synergize effectively.- Transform your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.- Gain practical tips for building a culture of trust and continuous improvement.
Join us for a transformative discussion that will elevate your mobbing practices and help you become a more effective team player.
🔔 **Don't forget to subscribe** to The Mob Mentality Show for more episodes on mastering the habits of highly effective mobbers!
Tune in now and start synergizing like never before! 🎧
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/UmtHqZ7U-B8  

Cultivating Trust and Influential Relationships with Leadership

Welcome to another episode of the Mob Mentality Show, where we jump into the dynamics of teamwork, leadership, and trust in the ever-evolving landscape of software development. In this episode, titled "Cultivating Trust and Influential Relationships with Leadership," we embark on a journey to decode the intricate nuances of fostering trust and building influential relationships with leadership.
Join us as we explore a myriad of topics, including techniques for influencing leadership within mobbing environments and navigating the complexities of both positive and challenged relationships with leadership figures.
We delve into the importance of inviting criticism and feedback, advocating for self-organizing teams, and navigating instances where leaders' actions diverge from their words. Is the "Good cop, bad cop" relationship dynamic a pattern or an anti-pattern? 
Throughout the episode, we emphasize the significance of relentless transparency, genuine curiosity, and vulnerability in fostering natural trust and rapport. From leveraging the natural side effects of Mob TDD/CD to addressing chasms in relationship maps, come join our quest to unravel the secrets of effective trust-building interactions with leadership.
Tune in now to discover with us how to navigate the delicate balance between being at peace with your efforts and continuously striving for improvement while embarking on a journey towards unlocking the true potential of influential relationships in leadership.
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/PQpp7S82TLc 

Agile Tales From Down Under ft Victor Agung and Jordan Ocokoljic

Join us for a riveting episode of Mob Mentality Show as we delve into the dynamic world of cross-discipline "Aussie Agile" with Victor Agung and Jordan Ocokoljic. From their diverse experiences in Agile/XP, predominantly through pair programming, to insightful stories of mobbing, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey for Agile enthusiasts and novices alike.
In our conversation, Jordan shares his journey through various XP/pair shops, while Victor recounts his initiation into pairing and XP methodologies during his time at Pivotal. They discuss the transformative power of pairing, making mistakes a comfortable part of the learning process, and the shift from traditional code reviews to more efficient collaboration models.
Delving deeper, we explore the nuances of true collaboration as co-creation versus post-creation review, the benefits of pairing with cross-functional teams, and the paradigm shift towards continuous PR. Victor and Jordan share anecdotes of pairing with designers, business stakeholders, and PMs, highlighting the synergy achieved through collective intelligence.
Transitioning to stories of mobbing, our guests unravel the impact of collaborative mob sessions on team dynamics, skill development, and product outcomes. From UI/UX designers joining pairs to create a collaborative ensemble, to the invaluable lessons learned from seeking diverse opinions within a mob, every narrative underscores the power of collective problem-solving and empathy-driven collaboration.
Throughout the episode, Victor and Jordan emphasize the importance of promoting outcomes over practices, seeking the minimum viable number of useful opinions, orienting collaboration towards customer delight, and fostering a culture of humility and courage within teams. Their insights into unlocking the full potential of every team member's brain, and the role of mob/pairing as a supportive sounding board, offer actionable strategies for building resilient and high-performing Agile teams.
Tune in to "Agile Tales From Down Under" for an excursion in agile collaboration, filled with practical wisdom, heartfelt anecdotes, and transformative insights from two passionate practitioners.
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/8jdps1V9vZY 

Navigating a Developer's Aversions to Learning, Change, and Influence

In this engaging episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we delve into the intricate world of developer psychology and strategies for fostering a collaborative, innovative environment. Join us as we explore the challenges of influencing developers, from overcoming aversions to learning and change to embracing the skeptic within the team.
We address the pressing questions surrounding mobbing, including whether some changes, like transitioning to mobbing, are too monumental to tackle all at once. Join the conversation on whether starting with pair or mob programming is the easier path for your team's transformation.
Learn about the power of code reading clubs as a tool for continuous learning and improvement, and uncover techniques for fostering incremental learning to achieve the precise but powerful "fluent edge" in your development practices.
Throughout the discussion, we emphasize the importance of cultivating kind, warm discussions where objections are welcomed as opportunities for growth. We provide practical advice for creating a safe space for no-pressure experimentation, allowing your team to thrive and innovate without fear of failure.
Drawing from principles such as the 7 Habits and the pursuit of classical virtues of goodness, truth, and beauty, we offer some actionable strategies for focusing on what you can control and harnessing the full improvement potential of your developer team.
Tune in to gain invaluable insights and actionable tips for navigating the complex landscape of developer aversions and fostering a culture of learning, change, and influence within your organization.
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/S1aAob44AzU  

Building Bridges: The Art of Influencing Through Real Relationships and Excellent Environments

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Mob Mentality Show! Join us as we delve into the nuanced art of influence in our dynamic discussion titled "Building Bridges: The Art of Influencing Through Real Relationships and Excellent Environments."
In this episode, we confront the age-old question: Does persuasion via logic lead to backfire? We dissect this notion while exploring the effectiveness of environment strategies in the realm of influence. But hold on, is influencing via environment inherently sneaky or malicious? 
We uncover the peril of the status quo and interrogate whether any room exists in a system for any incremental change. Reflecting on impactful literature like "Switch," "Made to Change," and "Power of Habit," we draw parallels to real-world scenarios and discuss their implications.
Navigating the landscape of relationships, our conversation explores the essence of connection and team building. Drawing from the metaphor of building bridges, we dissect the concept of natural influence versus calculated scheming, revealing the power of authentic connections.
Lastly, is there any danger of "successful influence" for bad reasons or from bad causes? Our candid discussion sheds light on the dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Tune in to discover actionable insights, thought-provoking perspectives, and strategies for leveraging influence ethically and effectively. Don't miss out on this episode of the Mob Mentality Show!
Subscribe now to stay updated on our latest episodes and join the conversation on our social media platforms. Let's embark on this journey together as we unlock the insights to real and lasting influence and impact.
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/J9h7mEUBRZU