Alignment, Adaptability, and Politics: The Secrets of Successful LPM Coaching

“If you want to coach senior leaders, you need to start by understanding what’s important to them—even if it has nothing to do with Lean Portfolio Management.” - Mark Richards.

In this lively and thought-provoking episode of SPCs Unleashed, Nikolaos Kaintantzis, Mark Richards, and Stephan Neck explore the unique challenges and opportunities of coaching in the Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) space. With engaging stories and practical insights, the team highlights how coaching at this level requires stepping into "big shoes" and mastering new complexities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Role of Growth: Niko emphasizes that becoming a coach in the LPM space is not instantaneous—it's a journey of growth that requires learning the language and culture of portfolio leadership while staying grounded in Lean principles.
• Understanding the Portfolio Context: Stephan describes the portfolio as an orchestra, where strategic alignment is the conductor, ensuring all "instruments" play harmoniously. Mark notes the need for adaptability, highlighting how portfolios must pivot based on evolving market conditions.
• Coaching Senior Leaders: The discussion illuminates the challenges of coaching time-pressed senior leaders. Mark explains that effective coaching often occurs during unconventional moments, such as commutes, and success requires aligning with the leaders’ priorities.
• The Power of Alignment: All three hosts agree that achieving alignment—whether through strategic themes, value stream mapping, or effective communication—is critical for unlocking the true potential of LPM.
• Lessons from Experience: The episode is filled with real-world anecdotes, such as Niko's story of taking board-level classes to understand better leadership challenges and the necessity of empathy and political awareness when coaching at higher organizational levels.

This episode provides practical tips and thought-provoking ideas for SPCs looking to grow their impact in Lean Portfolio Management. It’s a must-listen for Agile leaders and coaches alike, covering topics from aligning strategy to navigating politics.