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There are 10 modules in this course
This course gives you access to the powerful systems-coaching tools agile leaders use to help entire organizations—and the teams within them—think, act, and grow as one aligned system. You'll explore how to define, reveal, and serve systemic patterns; how to enter complex group dynamics; how to work with roles and navigate conflict; and ultimately how to guide transformation that sticks.
Using these approaches, regardless of whether you're a coach, scrum master, project manager, or agile leader, you'll gain the ability to drive strategic alignment, boost collaboration across functions, and nurture adaptability in evolving environments. If you're already familiar with agile coaching, this course offers a broader lens to see and influence organizational patterns for deeper impact. If you're newer to systems thinking, you'll discover a structured, scenario-based path to mastering high-leverage coaching techniques. If you've ever wanted to help your organization thrive through complexity and change, this course will show you how.
What's included
1 video
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 4 minutes
Introduction Video•4 minutes
Defining the System
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
Episode 1: How Rubber Ducky Leveled Up
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome to Agile Systems Coaching!
Join host Jules for Coaching for Change: Making Agility Work, a Retrospectives podcast special, as she investigates the agile transformation journey of Rubber Ducky Development, a quirky game studio.
In this unique and engaging seven-episode podcast series, examine the fascinating world of agile systems coaching. You'll learn how to view your team and organization as a single, interconnected entity, and how to facilitate change at a systemic level to unlock the full potential of your agile teams.
In our first episode, How Rubber Ducky Leveled Up: Defining the System, you'll discover the core principles of systems coaching and learn how to view the team and organization as one interconnected system. You'll also explore how to recognize the inherent strengths of the system and approach coaching with a focus on unlocking potential.
Tune in to Retrospectives and discover how Rubber Ducky Development leveled up its game!
What's included
9 readings2 discussion prompts5 plugins
Show info about module content
9 readings•Total 80 minutes
Welcome to Defining the System•5 minutes
Introduction•5 minutes
The Systems Coaching Approach•5 minutes
Systems Thinking•5 minutes
The Teams and Organization as a Living System•15 minutes
Key Differences Between Individual and System Coaching•10 minutes
The System’s Inherent Strengths•15 minutes
The Power of a Systems Perspective•15 minutes
New Reading•5 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
5 plugins•Total 21 minutes
Video: Defining the System•2 minutes
Video: Benefits for Agile Teams•2 minutes
Video: Coaching the Team and Organization as One•7 minutes
Video: Coaching the "Whole"•5 minutes
Video: The Power of a Systems Perspective•5 minutes
Entering the System
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
Episode 2: Wading In
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome back to the Retrospectives podcast! In episode one, Ezra and I explored systems coaching, what it means to coach a team and organization as a single entity, how to recognize the system as fully competent and not in need of fixing, and the importance of maintaining a systems perspective.
Ready for more? In episode two, Ezra is back and ready to share techniques around entering a system in a neutral way, assessing the system, and aligning on coaching agreements that establish trust and collaboration within the system.
What's included
7 readings3 discussion prompts6 plugins
Show info about module content
7 readings•Total 55 minutes
Welcome to Entering the System•5 minutes
New Reading•5 minutes
Uncovering True Needs•15 minutes
Show Notes•5 minutes
Techniques to Assess a System•5 minutes
Show Notes - Techniques to Assess a System•5 minutes
The Power of Coaching Agreements•15 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
6 plugins•Total 25 minutes
Video: Entering the System in a Neutral Way•5 minutes
Video: Entering the System in a Neutral Way - Continued•2 minutes
Video: What to Be Mindful of When Entering the System•5 minutes
Video: Specifics to Observe•5 minutes
Video: Document Review•3 minutes
Video: Essential Qualities When Assessing a System•5 minutes
Revealing the System to Itself
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
Episode 3: The Great Duck Reveal
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome back to Coaching for Change: Making Agility Work, a Retrospectives podcast special! Ezra, from Rubber Ducky Development, is back with us today for another insightful discussion.
In this episode, we’ll focus on how Ezra was able to Reveal the System to Itself, using a variety of agile tools and techniques to bring success to Rubber Ducky’s teams, team of teams, and the organization as a whole.
What's included
9 readings3 discussion prompts8 plugins
Show info about module content
9 readings•Total 77 minutes
Welcome to Revealing the System to Itself•5 minutes
Podcast Guests for Revealing the System to Itself•5 minutes
System Spotlight•10 minutes
The Value of Diverse Perspectives•10 minutes
Benefits of System Voices•10 minutes
System Coaching Techniques•10 minutes
Visualization Tools for Discovery•7 minutes
Power Differentials•15 minutes
Key Points - System Power Dynamics•5 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
8 plugins•Total 32 minutes
Video: System Spotlight•2 minutes
Video: System Spotlight - Continued•2 minutes
Video: System Voices•5 minutes
Video: System Voices - Continued•2 minutes
Video: System Coaching Techniques•3 minutes
Video: Power in Questions•3 minutes
Video: System Power Dynamics•2 minutes
Video: System Power Dynamics - Continued•13 minutes
Working with Roles
Module 5•2 hours to complete
Module details
Episode 4: Stop, Duck, and Role
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome back to Retrospectives, the podcast where we explore the fascinating world of agile coaching!
In Episode 4: Stop, Duck, and Role, we wade into how agile systems coaches help teams uncover the formal and informal roles that keep an organization moving forward. We’ll also dive into role fatigue—when essential roles get overworked—and share strategies for using these role revelations to keep feathers unruffled during periods of change!
Our guests today are Monty and Rowan, two talented individuals from the Rubber Ducky Development team, who will share their personal experiences navigating the challenges and triumphs of working with roles in a dynamic agile environment.
Get ready to unlock the secrets of effective role management and learn how to empower individuals and teams to truly “get their ducks in a row” on their agile journey!
What's included
6 readings3 discussion prompts5 plugins
Show info about module content
6 readings•Total 50 minutes
Welcome to Working with Roles•5 minutes
New Reading•5 minutes
Get Your Ducks in a Role•10 minutes
Tips for Identifying Roles•10 minutes
When Things Fly South: Role Fatigue•10 minutes
Anatomy of the Change Curve•10 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 30 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
5 plugins•Total 60 minutes
Video: Get Your Ducks in a Role•5 minutes
Video: Weary Wings: Navigating Role Fatigue•5 minutes
Video: Weary Wings: Navigating Role Fatigue - Continued•2 minutes
Video: The Winds of Change•35 minutes
Video: Conclusion - The Winds of Change•13 minutes
Navigating Conflict
Module 6•2 hours to complete
Module details
Episode 5: Ruffled Feathers
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome back to the Retrospectives podcast, where we explore hot topics related to agile coaching.
In Episode 5: Ruffled Feathers, we’ll be talking about how to address conflict in the system, when different individuals, teams, and departments have different perspectives, needs, and priorities. Ezra is back with us, along with several people from Rubber Ducky, to share their stories about how they thrived by addressing both healthy and unhealthy conflict. Ezra will share how he coached the system to navigate the conflict, techniques for doing this, and strategies for addressing resistance.
What's included
7 readings4 discussion prompts6 plugins
Show info about module content
7 readings•Total 49 minutes
Welcome to Navigating Conflict•5 minutes
Podcast Guests in "Navigating Conflict"•5 minutes
Healthy and Unhealthy Conflict•10 minutes
The Coach’s Role in Helping the System Navigate Conflict•10 minutes
Conflict Resolution Models•7 minutes
Addressing Concerns and Building Support•7 minutes
Key Points: Strategies to Address Resistance in the System•5 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
6 plugins•Total 28 minutes
Video: What is Conflict?
•5 minutes
Video: The Coach’s Role in Helping the System Navigate Conflict•5 minutes
Video: The Coach as a Safe Space Creator•5 minutes
Video: Techniques for Navigating Conflict in a System•5 minutes
Video: Strategies to Address Resistance in the System•5 minutes
Video: Conclusion - Strategies to Address Resistance in the System•3 minutes
Serving the System
Module 7•2 hours to complete
Module details
Episode 6: Migration Mentality
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome back to the Retrospectives podcast! We’ve covered quite a bit already on this show about Rubber Ducky’s experience with Coaching for Change: Making Agility Work.
Today, we have several members of Rubber Ducky’s leadership team to share how Ezra supported them in making that mental shift to Serving the System. Our panel members came to realize that they could take ownership over system processes and work together to drive change at Rubber Ducky. That’s quite an accomplishment, and as we know, it served them well.
What's included
8 readings4 discussion prompts4 plugins
Show info about module content
8 readings•Total 65 minutes
Welcome•5 minutes
New Reading•5 minutes
What it Means to Serve the System•10 minutes
Voice of the Customer Council•10 minutes
Systems Coaching for a Sustainable Pace•10 minutes
A Sustainable Pace for the System•10 minutes
Systems Coaching to Hear all Voices•10 minutes
Key Points - Systems Coaching to Hear all Voices•5 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
4 plugins•Total 20 minutes
Video: Change of Mindset to Serve the System•5 minutes
Video: Systems Coaching for a •5 minutes
Video: Systems Coaching for a Sustainable Pace•5 minutes
Video: Systems Coaching to Hear all Voices•5 minutes
Implementing Systems Coaching
Module 8•1 hour to complete
Module details
Episode 7: What Makes Rubber Duck Float?
A Retrospectives Podcast Special
Welcome back to Coaching for Change: Making Agility Work a Retrospectives podcast special! Alex, CEO of Rubber Ducky Development, and Ezra, an agile coach, are back with us today to wrap up our series.
In this episode, our focus is on you, our listeners. We’ll discuss how you can assess your own organization and consider your progress. So grab a pen and your coffee and join us!
What's included
9 readings2 discussion prompts4 plugins
Show info about module content
9 readings•Total 48 minutes
Welcome to Implementing Systems Coaching•5 minutes
Podcast Guests in Implementing Systems Coaching•5 minutes
Revealing the System to Itself - Where Do You Stand?•7 minutes
Revealing the System to Itself - Continued•5 minutes
Revealing the System to Itself: Digging Deeper•10 minutes
A Message From Our Sponsor, Scrum Alliance•2 minutes
How Do You Continue?•5 minutes
Continuing the Conversation•7 minutes
Conclusion•2 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
4 plugins•Total 17 minutes
Video: Revealing the System to Itself - Where Do You Stand?•5 minutes
Video: Revealing the System to Itself - Continued•5 minutes
Video: How Do You Continue?
•5 minutes
Video: Continuing the Conversation•2 minutes
Coaching for Change: Making Agility Work Assessment
Module 9•1 hour to complete
Module details
What's included
1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Coaching for Change: Making Agility Work Assessment•30 minutes
Conclusion
Module 10•4 minutes to complete
Module details
What's included
1 video
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 4 minutes
Outro Video•4 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
You'll gain a clear understanding of what systems coaching is, why it's valuable, and the key principles that guide it. You'll also learn practical skills such as evaluating roles within a system, recognizing power dynamics, guiding constructive conflict resolution, and more.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.