Our Coaching Philosophy

The courses at The Agile Company are all teaching, based on, or are influenced by the Forward Focused Conversations model. This model is a creation by Natascha Speets after having studied several different coach approaches and frameworks including Solutions Focused brief Therapy, Co-Active coaching, Systemic coaching, integral coach, human systems dynamics and GROW. Wanting to be inspired by the different approaches, but mostly honor and work with the ICF core competencies as a base for what good coaching looks like, the Forward Focused Conversations model is an inclusive and highly applicable conversation model, that enhances the coaching conversation and beyond.

The conversation structure follows 5 steps towards helping a client reach its goals: Alignment, Issue Identification, Discovery, establishing success and facilitating growth.

Learning Philosophy

The Agile Company’s learning philosophy is based on principles from adult learning theory, tennets from the “training of the back of the Room” framework and positive psychology concepts.

Students with The Agile Company receive for each class they book:

• Course materials including a notebook and Core Competencies handbook
• Profile and access to The Agile Company Community space
• Access to the interactive Miro workspace
• Zoom details and access to “extra materials” channels in the community space

Our Coaching Philosophy

The courses at The Agile Company are all teaching, based on, or are influenced by the Forward Focused Conversations model. This model is a creation by Natascha Speets after having studied several different coach approaches and frameworks including Solutions Focused brief Therapy, Co-Active coaching, Systemic coaching, integral coach, human systems dynamics and GROW. Wanting to be inspired by the different approaches, but mostly honor and work with the ICF core competencies as a base for what good coaching looks like, the Forward Focused Conversations model is an inclusive and highly applicable conversation model, that enhances the coaching conversation and beyond.

The conversation structure follows 5 steps towards helping a client reach its goals: Alignment, Issue Identification, Discovery, establishing success and facilitating growth.

Alignment on quality and expectations

All our trainers are in-house educated coaches and coach trainers, have real world experience coaching agile teams, agile leadership and agile transformations.

Identification 

Knowing where you start will allow you to know where you want to go. Getting a clear insight on the path that lies before us starts with assessing the present strengths, and the steps to better oneself throughout the journey. and usable advise and instruction. Observation and feedback opportunities offer insight and provide clarity. Trainers offer beneficial tools, including specific steps to take and skills to develop to become an effective coach. A lot of feedback will come the students themselves, as we are the only true knowers of yourself! The facilitator may act as a coach throughout the session to help each student uncover strengths, learning gaps and next steps.

Discovery  through Interactive & experiential course design

The courses are designed to allow for a high level of interaction, discussion, and practical work. We have spaced the learning over several short sessions ranging from 2 to 3.5 hours maximum, to allow for a better integration of the learning and skills building along the way. Our student centered approach means we make the space for each individual to progress at their own pace when needed, and provide the means for our students to voice their challenges inside and outside the classroom.

Through experiential learning: We learn by doing. Not only through practice itself, but also by manipulating every part of learning and content. Experiential means that experimentation, proactive learning and self-discovery are an integral part of the way we teach concepts. The students are encouraged to lean into the coursework by applying the knowledge and developing essential skills for agile coaches. The courses are hands-on, interactive and discussion about the material is encouraged, and students are given plenty of opportunities to communicate with peers and trainers.

As each session builds on top of the other, with time in between for reflection and practice, the students takes a new step towards mastery every time they walk away from a session

Establishing success

is pivotal in learning strategy, self-evaluation, feedback, individual and group mentoring sessions are offered as open enrollment sessions and booked meetings with the program lead. Some of our courses include sections in which students will practice “out loud” and receive feedback from the facilitator or/and students. The facilitator is mindful to allow for a progression in feedback, based on the progression of the student. Students will be assessed This means that assessment is viewed as feedback for improvement rather than a judgment of suitability or talent.

We clear the way for growth by addressing the obstacles in the way. Our courses deliver actionable learning, next steps and strategies for learners to work with throughout the program.

Facilitating growth means in our learning context that we never really let go of a graduated student. The many extra channels of information, the meetups and web conferences will continue to support our students to develop themselves in their growth and their development.

Several tenants of this model also inspire the courseware design and the way trainers at The Agile Company facilitate learning:

Help manage the change in small steps is one that teaches us to work in smaller cohorts and shorter sessions. Giving space and time for reflection in between sessions has been shown to lead to better memory retention and recall. It is our experience that learners who take time for reflection in between calls and practice in between with peers and others, are more focused during class, and also progress faster in the end.

Look for where you want to go, vs Where have you been, connects our deep wish for our students to grow towards the desired future and allow themselves to set the right goals and and development objectives. A growth mindset is one that we can nurture and should always be aware of the importance of looking at our present, and working towards our future.

The power to create choice, means that learners work on that what they have agency over. This also means we will respect individual diversity, actively inviting differing voices and opinions to be heard and accepted.