Looking forward to the next decade.

Being a blogger opens you up to scrutiny and criticism.  I use this forum to share knowledge about the agile reformation.  I attempt to argue in good faith and provide others with a voice.  I am a passionate advocate, and that passion clouded my reason, leading to some big mistakes.  Fortunately, my discourse avoids bitterness, so I do it gladly when I eat my words.  The most treacherous blog of the year is my annual predictions.  Sometimes, I am an oracle with an accurate vision of the future.  Other times, I blunder like a drunken person in a dark room; time will tell if any of my predictions are correct.

The “Breakup” of Big Tech-

Continuing issues with Facebook, Alphabet, and Microsoft will prompt regulators in the United States to pursue anti-trust suits and legislation to regulate the technology industry.  The efforts by Congress will create tremendous pushback from the technology industry.  I expect to see billions of dollars spent on lobbying efforts.  Additionally, political candidates will fundraise and stump for votes by publicly bashing large tech companies.  The technology business needs oversight, but I am afraid 2020 will have little meaningful reform.

Fighting Corrupt Agile-

As agile becomes more prevalent in organizations, bad actors and corrupt practices will flourish.  The article “Agile is Whatever Management Says It Is” was one of the most insightful articles in the 2019 business press.  The article discusses how management professionals will demand behavior and process changes from others while clinging to their self-destructive practices.  It is up to us in the Agile community to fight this corruption.

“Radical Candor” in the New Decade-

Kim Scott wrote an excellent book on business communication. I feel that this will be used by business leaders to improve their performance and the performance of the people they serve. The difference between “radical candor” and “manipulative insincerity” will be crucial for leading a successful global business.

I look forward to spreading the word.

The Awful Election of 2020- 

I steer away from politics on this blog.  The internet contains better takes on political rhetoric.  If you are a conservative or liberal, plenty of authors are on-line to provide insight and perspective.

The presidential election is going to be awful.  The pugilistic style of President Trump and the cultish behavior of the GOP are going to make the election an exercise in pain tolerance.  Democrats will be accused of socialism, infanticide, and having overdue library books.  The very nature of what Americans are and who they are will be questioned.  It will be ugly.  In victory or defeat, the president will be petulant, and regardless of the outcome, our nation will seem smaller.  I hate feeling this pessimistic.

I hope these words are not too bitter.  I am sure I will have to eat them someday.  Thanks for spending the year reading the blog, and I look forward to more writing in the next decade.

Until next time.