Agile In 2026 – The 4 Pillars of Leadership

The Real State of Agile in 2026

It’s been nine years since I started this show, and I can tell you this. Agile isn’t going anywhere. But man, has it ever changed shape. Agile in 2026 is barely recognizable from when I started. Our resumes are no longer welcome in recruiter inboxes. Funny, because what we were hired FOR has never changed. Businesses need to move the needle on metrics that count.

I can’t offer you a new framework for doing that. I’m still doing amazing stuff that inspires me and exposes me to new challenges and people. What underpins my daily work are those agile principles that I’ve been practicing for 20 years now.

The tribes mission is still clear. We build leaders who deliver what matters. We chase excellence. Fundamentals shape who we become, not just what we do. Agile in 2026 demands it.

The Four Pillars of The Forge

There’s four things I teach in The Forge that will make you badass no matter who you serve or how you serve them. Adopt and embrace these and you’ll be valuable in any market. What the industry decides to call you won’t matter. The impact that you make will still be distinct and distinguished.

• Vision leads. See ahead. Predict sentiments and shifts. Define a future others buy into.
• Action beats thinking every time
  • Drop “until.” It stalls everything. Don’t wait for perfect. Make the call. Build the thing. Start the blog. Have lunch with the boss. Arnold Schwarzenegger nailed it – progress creates motivation. Small wins build momentum.
  • Get rid of “should” too. It reeks of conformity. Society wants sameness and ceilings on weirdos. Fly your flag. And no judgment on others. Leaders honor choice. Check yourself if tempted to correct someone else’s lane.
• Resilience seals it. Fail fast. Learn faster. Agile teaches this, but resilience is the most uncommon quality in business. Post and see. No response? Pivot tomorrow.
• Continue failing and learning as your means to chase mastery

The Show Pivots Yet Again

Badass Agile will evolve yet again. Less talk about the job, and the framework. More real agility for a time that is moving at the speed of AI. Leadership: Vision. Discipline. Focus. Mastery. Leaders see voids. Followers wait.

Grab the Business Outcomes Partner’s Playbook at https://learning.fusechamber.com/outcomes-partner-playbook. Links below. Share it. Stay in the fight.

If you like this episode, you may also like:

The 2026 18th State Of Agile Report

Badass Unscripted – The Forge – The “Holy $&#! Who Was That?” School

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