Michael Mah 3/28/17

Topic: Beyond Velocity: Agile Teams, Self-Actualization, and the Next Stage of Social Disruption

According to latest research by QSM Associates, data from modern methods such as Agile are bringing into focus technologies that are truly transformative. In recent studies, some teams have been able to drive quality to new heights, while simultaneously accelerating development schedules by as much as 30% to 50%. But what if productivity, quality, and velocity alone aren’t enough? 

What’s next for software teams to up their game? What’s beyond for cutting-edge thinkers? Can we change the world? Can software teams learn from those outside of the software field?

What are the dynamics of the best companies driving market share? What can software teams learn about high-performance from direct-action conservation movements, the so called "Eco-Pirates?" 

In his talk, Michael Mah will share his experience and insightful lessons learned about teams from being a member of a high-profile Sea Shepherd Conservation Society team that is engaged in a multi-year international campaign to end dolphin and whale hunts. Sea Shepherd is the star of the Animal Planet TV Series, “Whale Wars,” which tells the story of a their fleet chasing the illegal Japanese pirate whale hunting ships in the Antarctic Southern Ocean. Michael will demonstrate how we can apply certain methods of Sea Shepherd teams, plus the ideas of renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow and his “Hierarchy of Needs” to build self-actualizing teams that are making a difference within their companies, and even the world.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding how productivity, quality and velocity are not enough to be competitive and transformative in today’s digital world
• Looking outside of the software industry to gain insights to the dimensions of high-performance teams
• Learning how self-actualizing teams can achieve transformative change