Is topgrading a controversial topic? It seems so. In this episode, Jeffrey and Squirrel revisit the theme of topgrading in recruitment, featured just two episodes ago. Join as they discuss a listener’s experience, the necessity for some structure in interviews and the benefits of learning from candidates' past experiences through stories.


SHOW LINKS:
- Topgrading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topgrading
- Topgrading episode link: https://soundcloud.com/troubleshootingagile/threats-and-topgrading-in-executive-hiring
- Shu ha ri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari
- Squirrel's interviewing event: https://squirrelsquadron.com/events/2025/04-10-interviews
- TDD for People: https://itrevolution.com/articles/test-driven-development-for-people/


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You'll find free videos and practice material, plus our book Agile Conversations, at agileconversations.com

And we'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show: email us at info@agileconversations.com

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About Your Hosts

Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick joined forces at TIM Group in 2013, where they studied and practised the art of management through difficult conversations. Over a decade later, they remain united in their passion for growing profitable organisations through better communication.

Squirrel is an advisor, author, keynote speaker, coach, and consultant, and he's helped over 300 companies of all sizes make huge, profitable improvements in their culture, skills, and processes. You can find out more about his work here: douglassquirrel.com/index.html

Jeffrey is Vice President of Engineering at ION Analytics, Organiser at CITCON, the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference, and is an accomplished author and speaker. You can connect with him here: www.linkedin.com/in/jfredrick/


Topgrading and Storytelling

A bit of festive magic for you. 

We have invited Marcin Floyran and Sebastian Lambla back onto the podcast to discuss VeST (Vertical Slice Technologies). They were last on the podcast about two years ago to talk about Agile Anarchy and we asked them back to talk about VeST. So here it is. Aslak is asking the questions. 

This is a great listen for those who are interested in building customer-centric, high-quality software products.


Topics discussed during the podcast include:

 - The core concepts of VeST and its benefits.

 - Why focusing on the customer can be a great first-step for teams steeped in legacy code.

 - Debunking hexagonal architecture and ports and adapters. 

 - The role of traditional testers and mob testing. 

Shownotes

 - Sebastian's blog - https://serialseb.com/serials/vest-redux/

 - Agile Anarchy podcast - https://cucumber.io/blog/2016/02/16/agile-anarchy

 - Kind of Green - Aslak's post about how we are building Cucumber Pro -https://sdjournal.org/bdd-like-jazz/

Shout out the pod on Twitter @cucumberbdd - https://twitter.com/cucumberbdd

VeST - Vertical Slice Technologies

This week, Jeffrey and Squirrel are on the road at CITCON Vienna, interviewing participants about how they use agile techniques and principles outside development.

SHOW LINKS:

-The 12 Agile Principles: http://agilemanifesto.org/principles.html

-CITCON: http://citconf.com/

-London Organisational Learning Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/London-Action-Science-Meetup/

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We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas or feedback you have regarding the show.

Email us: agile@troubleshootingagile.com

Tweet us: twitter.com/TShootingAgile

Also, if you'd like to leave us a review on iTunes (or just like and subscribe), you'll find us here: itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/troub…d1327456890?mt=2

Agile Outside Software Teams

Troubleshooting Agile is a problem-solving session for agile teams. Jeffrey Fredrick and Douglas Squirrel look at common problems agile teams face and provide practical, immediately useful advice for getting back on track.

Topgrading and Storytelling

Troubleshooting Agile

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