
Have you ever noticed when you have a team conversation, and agreement seems to be reached?
Beware! There will be a sidle. Watch for it, be prepared for it. Don’t avoid it.
What is the sidle? The sidle is simply, one person who hangs back … the conversation after the conversation; the hallway conversation; the kitchen cup-o-tea conversation.
This is vitally important to realise, to prepare for as a leader. The sidle could indicate many things;
- Perhaps the person is uncomfortable sharing their thought / question with everyone.
- Perhaps there’s a hidden agenda.
- There’s a question that wasn’t asked that is burning.
- There’s a reliance on you as a leader to communicate – and you haven’t.
Whilst agreement seems to be reached in the meeting – it’s the conversation after the conversation that can make the difference. A wiser person than I mentioned that there would always be questions. Wait. If there’s none, wait some more. There will be questions in the room.
The sidle used to irritate me. I used to feel so frustrated, because in me there would be a sense of urgency. I felt like I had ‘dealt with the issue’ in the room – and it was now time to move on.
I’ve learned since – that this feeling is my feeling. If there is a sidle (and there usually is) then it is a good thing. I can help this person. I can encourage the person, help them with the question.
Given the sidle is time expensive – and we are in a world that tends to rush from meeting to meeting … How do you deal with the sidle?
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. http://t.co/3jmUblOE
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. http://t.co/mhLo8vTO
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. http://t.co/vayg1NW9 #Scrum #Agile
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. http://t.co/flmymSZ0 #Scrum #Agile
Hi Malcom – Sorry I didn’t see this comment!
I mention ‘mastering’ the sidle – in that I have now learned to leave space for the sidle at the end. To hang behind and listen.
I wasn’t too specific in this post as to how I do this I admit, as all I put is the below:
—
I’ve learned since – that this feeling is my feeling. If there is a sidle (and there usually is) then it is a good thing. I can help this person. I can encourage the person, help them with the question.
—
Thanks for asking.
RT @boostnewmedia Mastering the sidle, quiet dissent or reservations in Agile process. | @Scrumology http://t.co/D8ZrxUcf #scrum #agile #pm
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. | @Scrumology http://t.co/l3Z2kkuM #scrum #agile #pm
Mastering the Sidle.
Jonathan, I see you raising the question about how to handle a sidle and I’m missing the part where you explain how you handle them.
I believe that this is a valuable subject as I have seen engagements go down in flames because the sidle was not recognized or managed.
Have you discussed this subject elsewhere?
Thanks
Malcolm Anderson
Scrum Coach / Agile Engineering Coach
RT @scrumology: Guest post: Mastering the sidle. http://t.co/m3mUw62L #Scrum #Agile
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. | @Scrumology http://t.co/JHLjsqmj #scrum #agile #pm
Guest post: Mastering the sidle. http://t.co/m3mUw62L #Scrum #Agile