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You've got a 1:1 on the calendar this week. Across the table is someone who used to be your peer. Or someone who's been on this team for ten years while you've held the title for two weeks. You plan to open with "So, how's it going?" They say "good." You say "good." And twenty-five minutes quietly turns into a status update nobody needed. Here's what most new managers miss. That first 1:1 isn't really a meeting. It's the operating system for the next twelve months with that p

By Phillip Henslee | Agile Leadership Learning | Estimated read time: 6 minutes ▶ YOUTUBE VIDEO Why Your Team Keeps Getting It Wrong (It's Not Them) Prefer to watch? The full video version of this article is above. Or keep reading below — same idea, with two extra real-world examples that didn't fit in the 5-minute video. You delegated something to one of your people last week. You told them what you needed. They said "got it." You walked away thinking it was handled. Fr

Most people think of Agile as a software development methodology. But the principles behind Agile do not just build better software. They build better leaders. At Agile Leadership Learning, we have seen this firsthand. The same mindset that helps development teams ship faster, adapt quicker, and collaborate more effectively is the exact mindset that transforms good managers into great leaders. Here is how Agile principles translate directly into stronger leadership. 1. Embrac

If I could go back and give my younger self one thing, it would be this: a mentor. Someone who’d been there, stumbled and learned, and could help me skip a few bumps in the road. Maybe you know what I mean—no matter how hard you work, sometimes you just need someone who gets it. When I started out in management, I had ambition and drive. What I didn’t have? Real guidance. There were plenty of books, a few generic seminars, and lots of “figure it out yourself.” I did okay, but

Why Most Managers Plateau — And How to Break Through Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever but… just not getting any further? I know the feeling—that weird in-between where you’re not exactly “stuck,” but you aren’t leveling up either. If you’re a manager, chances are you’ve been there too. Here’s the thing: It’s not that you’re missing some magic secret or weren’t cut out to lead. The real reason most managers hit a wall? Nobody ever taught us that leadership is act

What Is Situational Leadership? If you’ve ever managed a team, you know that a “one-size-fits-all” approach rarely works. That’s exactly what Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard discovered—and why they created the Situational Leadership Model. Their big idea? The best leaders flex their style to fit the needs, skills, and confidence of their people. The Four Styles—Finding Your Leadership Sweet Spot Hersey & Blanchard outlined four leadership styles, each a tool in your leadership

Agile teams aren’t just built on frameworks or tools—they thrive because of leadership. While agile practices bring flexibility and...

Exciting news! After months of hard work, dedication, and countless hours of writing, my new book titled "Build Your High-Performing Team"...

September 22, 2024 Launching my initial business website, first blog, first day! Greetings, I'm Phillip, and today marks the launch of my...