What does it take to lead a project out of chaos and into high performance, without falling into command and control?
In this talk, I share the story of a real project that began in rescue mode: a fractured team, deep resistance to Agile ways of working, and a complex mix of conflicting partners and priorities.
In an environment that seemed incompatible with Agile principles, I had to choose: hold to a passive, purist coaching stance, or meet the team where they were, with intention, courage, and drive.
This talk explores the shift from traditional coaching neutrality to intentional enablement, a stance that brings momentum and leadership without attachment to outcomes.
I’ll share the pivotal decisions that helped unlock team cohesion, navigate peer resistance, and align around shared purpose, while helping the team evolve their own ways of working from the inside out.
You’ll walk away with practical insights on:
- How to identify when your stance is helping or hindering your team
- Navigating resistance without power struggles
- Leading with energy and equanimity in complex environments
If you’ve ever wrestled with when to step in and when to step back, this talk offers a roadmap, and a reframe, for showing up as the leader your team actually needs.
