From Stonecutters to Architects: Elevating Your Team’s Performance through Purposeful Work

Agile is a mindset that values collaboration, adaptation, and customer satisfaction over rigid processes, documentation, and contracts. It is a way of working that embraces change and feedback, and delivers value incrementally and iteratively. Agile teams are self-organizing, cross-functional, and empowered to make decisions and deliver results.

But how can you motivate your agile team to work with passion and purpose? How can you help them see the bigger picture and the value of their work? How can you align their work with the customer’s needs and expectations?

One way to do that is to use the story of the three stonecutters as an analogy. This story is based on an old legend that illustrates the importance of having a clear vision and purpose. Here is how the story goes:

A traveler was walking along a road, when he saw three stonecutters working on a large block of stone. He was curious about what they were doing, so he decided to ask them. He approached the first stonecutter and asked: “What are you doing?” The first stonecutter replied: “I am cutting a stone.” He seemed bored and unhappy with his work. The traveler then went to the second stonecutter and asked the same question. The second stonecutter replied: “I am making a wall.” He seemed proud and satisfied with his work. The traveler then went to the third stonecutter and asked the same question. The third stonecutter replied: “I am building a cathedral.” He seemed passionate and inspired by his work.

The moral of the story is that having a clear vision and purpose can make a big difference in how we approach our work. The first stonecutter only saw his work as a tedious and meaningless task. The second stonecutter saw his work as a valuable and useful product. The third stonecutter saw his work as a part of a bigger and noble mission. He had a vision of the final outcome and how it would benefit others.

Here are some tips on how to apply the story of the three stonecutters to your agile team:

Define and communicate the vision and purpose of your project

What is the problem you are trying to solve? Who are you solving it for? What is the value you are delivering? How does your project fit into the bigger picture of your organization and society? Make sure your team understands and shares the vision and purpose of your project. Use tools such as vision statements, user stories, personas, and value propositions to articulate and visualize the vision and purpose of your project.

Involve your team in the planning and decision making process

Don’t just tell your team what to do, but let them participate in the planning and decision making process. Give them the autonomy and authority to make decisions and take actions that are aligned with the vision and purpose of your project. Use tools such as backlog grooming, sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives to facilitate the planning and decision making process.

Celebrate your team’s achievements and progress

Don’t just focus on the final outcome, but also appreciate the journey and the learning. Celebrate your team’s achievements and progress, no matter how big or small. Recognize and reward your team’s efforts and contributions. Use tools such as sprint reviews, demos, feedback sessions, and recognition programs to celebrate your team’s achievements and progress.

Keep your team motivated and engaged

Don’t let your team get bored or burned out by the work. Keep your team motivated and engaged by providing them with challenges, opportunities, and support. Encourage your team to experiment, learn, and grow. Use tools such as gamification, coaching, mentoring, and training to keep your team motivated and engaged.

By having a clear vision and purpose, your team can work with more enthusiasm and creativity.