BONUS: The Creative Agile Coach: Jaques Smit’s Lessons on Fostering Creativity in our Work and within Teams

Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

BONUS: The Creative Agile Coach: Jaques Smit’s Lessons on Fostering Creativity in our Work and within Teams

In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the unique intersection of agile coaching and fantasy writing with Jaques Smit, an Agile Coach in the gaming industry, and master transformational coach with his passion for crafting fantasy stories infused with Positive Psychology. Join us as we explore how his dual passions inform and enhance each other, providing practical insights for both aspiring writers and agile professionals.

Agile Coaching Through Storytelling

"I explore ideas in agile coaching in my writing through characters and context, making complex concepts relatable and actionable to the reader."

Jaques shares how his background in fantasy writing enriches his approach to agile coaching. By creating vivid characters and immersive contexts, he brings agile principles to life, allowing teams to better understand and implement them. This storytelling technique not only engages team members but also facilitates deeper comprehension and retention of agile methodologies.

Deciding Which Ideas to Pursue

"Fiction allows you to push ideas to the nth degree, exploring possibilities that can inspire real-world solutions."

Drawing from his agile experience, Jaques discusses his method for selecting which ideas to develop further in his writing. He emphasizes the importance of iterative planning and feedback, much like agile sprints, to refine and enhance his stories. By focusing on one key idea per book and continuously improving based on reader feedback, he ensures that each narrative remains compelling and impactful.

Gathering Feedback for Writing Projects

"Understanding your target audience is crucial – you need to know your reader better than they know themselves."

Jaques outlines his strategies for collecting and utilizing feedback to shape his writing projects. From selecting alpha readers to conducting in-depth conversations, he highlights the importance of targeted feedback in refining his stories. By defining the "value" of his books and aligning them with his readers' needs, Jaques ensures that his work resonates deeply and meets the expectations of his audience.

Experimenting with Story Ideas

"Character sketches and story outlines are invaluable tools for testing different ideas before committing to a full project."

Reflecting on his early writing experiences, Jaques shares how experimenting with various story and topic ideas has been pivotal in his development as an author. He discusses the use of character and story sketches to explore different directions and gather feedback, enabling him to pivot and adapt his narratives based on what resonates most with his readers. From these stories shared by Jaques, we learn how the same principles can be applied in Product Development.

Using Storytelling to Lead Change

"Incorporating a coach into the book creates real coaching conversations that mirror transformative leadership practices."

Jaques explains how he integrates his coaching expertise into his storytelling to illustrate effective leadership and transformational change. By embedding coaching dialogues within his narratives, he provides readers with practical examples of how to navigate challenges and foster growth, both in fictional settings and real-life scenarios.

The Value of Fiction in Learning

"Reading fantasy and sci-fi allows you to explore problems from a safe distance, offering a stress holiday while fostering creative solutions."

Highlighting the benefits of fiction, Jaques discusses how genres like fantasy and science fiction can serve as powerful tools for learning and problem-solving. By presenting challenges and solutions in imaginative contexts, these stories encourage readers to think outside the box and apply creative thinking to their own professional and personal lives.

Maintaining Momentum to Finish a Book

"Focusing on early adopters and serving their needs provides the motivation and evidence needed to complete a book."

Jaques shares his strategies for staying motivated and ensuring the completion of his writing projects. By engaging with his early adopters and continuously seeking their input, he maintains a clear direction and purpose, which helps him overcome distractions and challenges along the way. In Product Development, we can learn from Jaques’ story and apply some of the same ideas when developing products.

Writing Principles Applicable to Software Development

"The principles of iterative improvement and feedback loops in writing are directly transferable to agile software development."

Drawing parallels between writing and software development, Jaques emphasizes how practices like iterative drafting and continuous feedback can enhance both creative and technical projects. His insights reveal how the disciplined approach of writing can inform more effective and responsive software development processes.

Overcoming Writing Challenges

"Embracing challenges as opportunities to grow strengthens both your writing and your agile practices."

Jaques discusses common obstacles writers face and how adopting an agile mindset can help overcome them. By viewing challenges as chances to iterate and improve, he maintains momentum and ensures consistent progress toward his writing goals.

Closing Thoughts: The Synergy of Coaching and Writing

"Integrating coaching techniques into storytelling not only enriches the narrative but also empowers readers to implement positive changes in their lives."

In his closing remarks, Jaques reflects on the powerful synergy between his coaching and writing endeavors. He underscores the importance of blending practical coaching strategies with engaging storytelling to create meaningful and transformative experiences for his audience.

About Jaques Smit

Jaques Smit was born in Rundu, Namibia, and lives with his family in Wellington, New Zealand. As a games Agile Coach and master transformational coach, he writes about fantasy laced with Positive Psychology, aspiring to create compelling stories that touch the reader.

You can link with Jaques Smit on LinkedIn.