One of the core tenets of Agile, a foundational piece upon which the whole concept of Agile is built, is valuing people over processes. Agile practices, however, are perpetually at risk of becoming the implementation of process rather than a lightweight key to unlock the power of an organization’s workforce. This post will shares a story of such an occurrence, looks at what went wrong, and examines how positive outcomes were eventually achieved.

Utilizing and displaying respect for the individual, or a tailored approach for each person, is not a magic sauce; it's intended to put others in the position to best utilize their skills and find their excellence. This is accomplished through emotional intelligence, servant leadership, and empowerment - three personal features that are present in a positive organizational culture and some of the best leaders.

The world grows more diverse and complex each day, so managers cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach to managing and leading. There needs to be focus on a tailored approach and respect for the individual. This may sound like a tall order, but connecting at the right level does not need to be a rigorous process.