In our agile coaching masterclass the other day, someone asked whether Meta-skills can have a shadow or a dark side. Can we lean too far into the skill, thus creating a negative or contrary impact?
I had always thought of the dark side as being related to personal strengths, but the question made me realize that many aspects of Agile Coaching have the potential for a dark side. That’s what I’d like to explore here.
What is a Dark Side?
I consider it a negative side effect, often related to leaning too heavily into a specific practice, skill, or tactic.
One aspect of the dark side is overusing a skill. The best way to describe this antipattern is with a euphemism: If your only tool is a hammer, then everything looks like a nail.
Another aspect is overemphasis. For example, if you’re applying a Meta-skill of playfulness, you could overcommit to the point where you’re perceived as silly, lacking empathy, or just out of touch with the situation.
Dark Sides relating to what?
I can think of several areas where we can overrotate—
The coaching competencies within the Agile Coaching Growth Wheel
Leveraging our coaching Meta-skills
Leveraging our superpowers and strengths
There is a balance to everything, and find it is the journey
A final Dark Side element
Gustavo Razzetti has written a complimentary article focused on the Arrivism Trap.
Arrivism is alive and well in our Agile Coaching community. Sometimes, it’s when someone is declared an “Agile Coach.” Other times, they achieve a particular entry-level or more advanced certification. Still, other times, when they’ve become a thought leader 😉
Wrapping Up
The goal of this post is two-fold—
The first is to encourage every Agile Coach to reflect on all Dark Side implications in their coaching journeys.
Second, I encourage you to be humble enough to work on any shortcomings in achieving the right balance in each coaching situation.
Stay agile, and in the light, my friends,
Bob.
It’s a challenging time for Agile Coaches, Scrum Masters, and Change Agents. But the profession isn’t dying. It’s simply realigning around coaches with the chops, depth & breadth of experience, and skills to deliver value.
Please consider joining Peter Fischbach and me for our next Badass Agile Coaching Masterclass, beginning January 29th, 2025. Now is the time to raise your Agile Coaching competencies; there is no better way to do that than our class.
We have significant DEI discounts available, so DM bob@rgalen.com for more info.