Did you know that Agile methodology was born more than twenty years ago as a new approach to software development? Today, it is effectively an approach that can be applied to the management of any project, and it is based on flexibility, collaboration, and a quick response to changes.
This is well known to our colleagues Aurora Romanucci and Carlo Riccio, who are already trainers for the internal course “Agile Principles and Mindset” and they recently participated in the first Italian edition of the Agile Team Coach course, organized by Agile Reloaded, and obtained the ICP-ACC certification, acquiring the official qualification of Agile Coach.
Teoresi supported their participation in the course with the dual purpose of enhancing their individual development and contributing to the overall growth of the organization.
At Teoresi, evolution is driven by empowering individuals through the creation of an environment where continuous learning and individual growth converge to achieve common goals and company visions. This is accomplished through the design and implementation of training paths, internal or external, aimed at maximizing the potential and capabilities of individuals.
The training module attended by Aurora and Carlo, accredited by ICAgile (International Consortium for Agile), developed in collaboration with AWA and led by Francesco Bianchi, AWA trainer, Visual Coach, and Agile Thinker, was managed using the TBR method – Training from the Back of the Room. In this method, lessons are organized based on attention, retention, and engagement objectives.
At the end of the course, participants can conduct coaching conversations effectively, perform mentoring activities, support work teams in transitioning to an agile mindset and working method, and adopt an engaging leadership approach.
Aurora and Carlo shared their points of view on the course and the acquired skills with us.
What was the main motivation that led you to participate in the Agile Team Coach course?
Carlo: «At Teoresi, there was a recognized need to systematically promote and embed the agile culture and mindset, which I consider a real mission. Investing in ongoing training is essential, and the course I recently completed marked a significant step in that direction, providing a valuable opportunity for personal growth.»
What was the most relevant part of the program?
Aurora: «From my point of view, the most engaging topics were professional coaching, promoting collaboration, conflict resolution, and overcoming challenges. On the other hand, what made the program particularly effective was the methodology through which the topics were conveyed, namely through practical exercises and meaningful moments that left a lasting impression.»
What was the most challenging moment you faced, and how did you overcome it?
Carlo: «The most challenging part of the course was the coaching session during the final exam. In particular, it was difficult to interact with people from very different backgrounds, as it required the deconstruction of my way of conceiving work and openness to realities very distant from mine. I put into practice the know-how I had learned – from using more appropriate listening techniques to employing the so-called “Powerful Questions,” a set of predefined open-ended questions designed to explore and evaluate solutions to potential problems and challenges.»
Among the specific skills acquired during the course, which do you think can have the greatest impact in your current role and within your team?
Aurora: «During the course, I had the opportunity to experiment with various coaching, training, and team management tools, which I’m already applying in my daily work. Certainly, many of these will be used together with Carlo in the Teoresi course “Agile Principles and Mindset” to make it even more effective. Additionally, another fundamental aspect is learning to lead teams by creating an inclusive space where people feel accepted and free to express themselves, coupled with skills that promote collaboration, trust, and conflict management.»
How do you plan to leverage these skills to contribute to the growth and success of Teoresi and your workgroup in the future?
Carlo: «The plan is to improve our existing Agile course, together with Aurora, utilizing the TBR method, the same approach employed in the course we recently completed. This aims to make the course more engaging, practical, and captivating. Furthermore, I consider it crucial to apply these acquired skills to assist colleagues who are currently seeking or may seek support in adopting an Agile perspective for their projects.»
To conclude, what are the skills that we can currently offer in this area as Teoresi?
Aurora: «Currently, we conduct introductory courses covering mindset and key Agile frameworks, along with Agile Coaching sessions aimed at supporting teams during this transformation. Looking ahead, our plans involve training teams of certified professionals who can oversee the development of an entire project or one of its phases – all within an Agile framework.»
Stay tuned: soon, Aurora and Carlo will be involved in a new, exciting external training initiative, in the university context. For more information, contact us.