Whilst reading this, you may be asking yourself whether I am the right person to tackle your tasks and challenges. I will be glad to discuss this with you in a personal conversation, but for now, please allow me to present the following thoughts.
As a PhD of computer science, I have learned that the goal of developments is the implementation of working software in application systems. However, who lets us know if it’s really working? Exactly, the end-user! Only through their feedback can we tell if the goal has been successfully reached. I’ve been reflecting on this from an early age, since my father started asking me: “How can you tell that it’s right?”
Furthermore, through my work for and with international corporations such as Siemens, Deutsche Telekom, Nokia and Agfa, I have learned how important it is for the development teams to continue working with each other after completion of a particular project. This is often not easy, since each team is a conglomerate of differing characters, social backgrounds and individual development potential. A team leader can identify and utilise these differences and show the team how to operate. Implemented correctly, this method alone already produces satisfactory results.
As an Agile Coach, I take it a step further: I’m not satisfied by simply showing people what agile is; I guide the team leaders towards becoming agile themselves. I support and give feedback; we try different things out, and uncover hidden opportunities together. Quite often this leads to team members changing the way they act and think. They cast off old habits and change behaviour patterns.
This method of finding solutions correlates with my knowledge as a Systemic Coach. As such, I see coaching as a solution- and resource orientated process support. You, the customer, are experts with regard to your business and issues. I, the coach, am an expert in co-developing different approaches to possible resolutions with you. In this capacity, I support my customers in shaping (and creating) tailor-made results.
I have had (and continue to have) the privilege of teaching a lot of students, and am only satisfied when I have found a way of showing them how to reach even better educational results independently. Therefore my first objective is to guide my customer or the team leader on how to become an agile personality and bring together an agile team, so that they can utilise their full potential for the good of the company.
As part of the approach we also begin working on the respective team assignment at hand. Despite the development of agile skills taking time, the results are demonstrably better. The initial extra time spent quickly pays-off. The market shows that agile companies can establish themselves more successfully.
I look forward to showing you that it will be to your advantage once I apply my broad expertise to your particular demands.
Dr. Ralph Miarka