Reflections & Retrospectives

Sunrise at Lake Moraine, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Isn’t this photo stunning? It’s Moraine Lake in Banff, Canada, surrounded by golden fall foliage. I captured it last fall during my milestone birthday. The lake’s serene reflection made me pause and reflect, not just on its beauty but also on my life and career. BTW you must go to Banff!

Reflection is powerful. It allows us to consider what’s working and what might need a small adjustment before it’s too late.

Am I happy? Absolutely! But reflection has shown me that even minor adjustments can lead to meaningful improvements. I have a couple of fun ideas I’m excited to try, and I can’t wait to see where they take me.

This power of reflection applies to the workplace too. In Agile, the Sprint Retrospective is our dedicated time for team reflection. Unfortunately, it’s often rushed or overlooked, limiting its potential value. Instead of letting this happen, encourage your team to focus on one small improvement each Sprint. Just one. Experiment. Learn. Grow. Over time, these little changes will add up in big ways.

Still not convinced? Here are five simple reasons why Sprint Retrospectives are worth prioritizing:

1. Solve Problems – Address issues before they grow.

2. Improve Continuously – Find and act on ways to get better.

3. Strengthen Collaboration – Build trust and teamwork.

4. Boost Productivity – Work smarter, not harder.

5. Encourage Ownership – Empower the team to take charge.

Which one resonates with you the most? For me, it’s number 3. I LOVE strong relationships and teams that feel like family—it’s why I do what I do.

So, what’s your favorite? I’d genuinely love to know! Send me an email and share your thoughts. You’ll absolutely make my day.

As one of my favorite Agile colleagues often says, “If we’re no longer improving, we’re no longer Agile.