#90: Mastering Agile Coaching with Cherie Silas

Join Brian Milner and Master Coach Cherie Silas as they discuss the intricate dance between professional coaching and Agile coaching and unlock the secrets to empowering Agile transformations. Overview Join us on a captivating journey with Brian Milner and Cherie Silas, the visionary founder of Tandem Coaching, as they delve deep into the nuances that distinguish professional coaching from Agile coaching and learn why adopting a coaching mindset is crucial for effective Agile coaching. Explore the pivotal role of an Agile coach within an organization and the fine art of balancing consulting with true coaching to foster empowerment and self-solution finding. Cherie unravels the complexities of Agile practices, the thin line between coaching and counseling, and the transformative Tandem Coaching program. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to understand the essence of agile transformation and how it's not just about adopting new practices but about achieving meaningful business outcomes. Whether you're an aspiring agile coach or a seasoned professional seeking to deepen your understanding, this conversation is your gateway to elevating your agile journey. Listen Now to Discover: [01:18] - Join Brian as he greets Cherie Silas, the visionary behind Tandem Coaching, co-author of 'Enterprise Agile Coaching,' and a revered Master Coach. [03:38] - Listen in as Cherie clarifies the essential differences and intersections between professional coaching and the dynamic field of Agile coaching. [07:07] - Explore with Cherie as she articulates the nuanced differences between being labeled an 'Agile Coach' and embodying the true essence of Agile coaching. [09:15] - Cherie shares her expertise on striking the perfect balance between consulting and coaching, highlighting strategies for blending these two vital roles effectively. [12:12] - Brian highly endorses Cherie’s dynamic, mentorship-driven Professional Coach Training for anyone looking to deeply enrich their coaching abilities. [14:42] - Learn from Cherie the critical role of engaging as a thought partner in coaching clients, a fundamental strategy for fostering profound and effective Agile coaching connections. [18:00] - Discover with Cherie the dynamic strategy of engaging clients with thought-provoking questions like, "What's the challenge we're tackling?" and "What's the goal we're striving towards?" This approach not only clarifies objectives but also charts the course towards achieving them, making each coaching session a journey of mutual exploration and growth. [22:04] - If you're on the path to becoming a Certified Scrum Master, look no further than Mountain Goat Software's engaging, top-rated courses. Beyond the interactive classes, you'll gain a year-long membership to the Agile Mentors Community—a vibrant space to both give and receive mentorship. Dive deeper into your Agile practice and explore the Mountain Goat Software Training Schedule today. [24:47] - Join Cherie as she unveils the foundational pillars of becoming an exceptional coach - the art of active listening, the skill of insightful questioning, and the journey through coaching training. [27:17] - Brian invites listeners into a thought-provoking exploration of the nuanced differences between coaching and counseling, questioning how to skillfully navigate the boundaries that define and differentiate them. [31:44] - Brian shares a big thank you to Cherie for joining him on the show, inviting listeners to pick up the book, ‘Enterprise Agile Coaching’ and highly recommends Tandem Coaching’s training programs. [33:15] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast. Do you have feedback, a great idea, or a guest suggestion for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. References and resources mentioned in the show: Tandem Coaching Enterprise Agile Coaching: Sustaining Organizational Change Through Invitational Agile Coaching by Cherie Silas, Michael de la Maza, and Alex Kudinov Professional Coach & Team Coach Training with Cherie Silas and Tandem Coaching 2024 Global Scrum Gathering in New Orleans Certified ScrumMaster® Training and Scrum Certification Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at [email protected] This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Cherie Silas is a Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) and is the first agile coach to be awarded the ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC). She is the Founder and CEO of Tandem Coaching with a 20-year legacy in corporate leadership and co-author of the book Enterprise Agile Coaching: Sustaining Organizational Change Through Invitational Agile Coaching