One question I’ve heard repeatedly from managers moving towards agile ways of working is this:
“But what happens if someone finishes their task early?”
On the surface, it sounds like a practical concern.
Underneath, it’s often something else entirely.
What’s really being expressed is anxiety about visibility, value and safety in an uncertain system.
Over time, I’ve come to see this as a clash between two different value systems.
Continue reading When ‘keeping people busy’ feels safer than finishing work