Remembering What Labor Day Represents

As Labor Day approaches, it's a fitting time to reflect on the true engine behind organizational success - people. While capitalism glorifies individual leaders, every company is built on the backs of its workforce. Honoring labor means committing to their wellbeing, not just productivity.

Labor Day recognizes the people who drive progress and innovation through their efforts and talents. But in pursuit of profits and glory, companies often lose sight of workers' humanity.

Appreciating Those Who Came Before

We owe gratitude to activists who fought for:

• The 8-hour workday and 40-hour week

• Child labor protections

• Workplace safety standards

• Universal suffrage

• Union representation

• Minimum wage laws

• Bans on discrimination

Thanks to their sacrifices, work today is safer, more inclusive, and more humane than a century ago. But the journey continues toward truly modernizing labor practices.

Creating a Brighter Future of Work

The future should bring:

• A mainstream 4-day workweek to boost wellbeing

• Reassessing compensation based on real value added versus market rates

• Flexibility, autonomy and trust replacing micromanagement

• Benefits, equity and inclusion for all, not just elites

• Defining companies by sustainability and social impact, not just profits

People Over Profits

Labor Day reminds us that workers are people first, assets second. They deserve fulfillment, not exploitation.

By taking care of people, positive results compound. But dehumanizing "resources" kills culture and innovation.

This Labor Day, reflect on how to elevate those who elevate your organization. People can only reach their full potential in cultures built on trust, care and purpose. Reclaim Labor Day's original meaning - all labor has dignity.

How could you rehumanize work? As a management coach, I help leaders create nurturing, inclusive cultures. Please reach out if you'd like to discuss further. Your team deserves your best.

An Open Letter to the Agile Community: Reflecting on Our Values and Actions

Dear Agile Community,

It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of unease that I pen this open letter today. Our community, which has long championed values of people-centricity, inclusivity, respect, and mutual support, now finds itself at a critical juncture. The decision to proceed with Agile 2023 in Florida—a state whose leadership has shown an increasing disregard for the values we uphold—has stirred a deep sense of disappointment in me.

In our collective quest to become truly Agile, we have always sought to eliminate harmful language, foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity, and discard outmoded models of scientific management. We have prided ourselves on our commitment to put people before processes and products—a commitment we've woven into the fabric of our practices, principles, and cultural ethos.

However, the decision to host this year's conference in Florida sends a message that runs counter to these values. By embracing a location increasingly known for its hostility towards a diverse range of individuals, we risk alienating those we claim to support and inadvertently undermine the very principles that underpin our community.

Writing this letter has been a profoundly challenging exercise. Over the past weeks and months, I've grappled with my thoughts, fears, and the potential backlash that might ensue. However, the deafening silence from our community on this issue has become too pressing to ignore. The absence of this crucial conversation in public spaces feels like an uncomfortable sidestep—a concerning shift from our people-focused ethos towards an undue emphasis on 'productivity' and 'delivery.'

The disconcerting reality is, I now find myself questioning the authenticity of our community's commitment to inclusivity and respect. Witnessing colleagues, friends, and respected figures from our community sharing cheerful pictures and experiences from Florida, has led me to ask: Are we being genuine in our dedication to Agile principles, or are we losing sight of our moral compass?

By proceeding with Agile 2023 in Florida, we send a worrying signal. Are we implicitly accepting the discrimination perpetuated by the state's leadership? As self-proclaimed principled Agilists, should we not be standing against such injustices instead of acquiescing for the sake of self-promotion or convenience?

Let me clarify, this isn't about politics—it's about standing up for what's right. It's about using our collective influence to counter bigotry and uphold the principles of inclusivity and justice. It's about truly living our Agile values of prioritizing people over profits.

So, I implore each member of our community to pause, reflect, and question the decision to attend Agile 2023. Is it truly in alignment with your values? Are we collectively being the human-centered, respectful community we claim to be? Or are we, perhaps unknowingly, veering off our path?

As we look forward to another year of agility, growth, and innovation, let's make sure we're also keeping sight of our core values and principles. Our actions speak louder than our words, and it's time we reassess our actions in the light of the values we hold dear.

#Agile2023 #PrincipledAgilists #PeopleBeforeProfits #StandForJustice #Reflections

Yours sincerely,

Ed Schaefer