a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

Quotes: Fake it until you make it

Explores when “fake it till you make it” works or fails in Agile teams, stressing the need for real expertise, coaching, and continuous learning over mere pretence.

Published on
2 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/ArVDYRCKpOE

Hello, Agile practitioners and enthusiasts. Today, let’s chat about a well-known phrase in our professional lexicon: “Fake it till you make it.” 🚀  

But, as much as this phrase is bandied about, let’s discuss its limitations and how to apply it judiciously in our Agile workspaces. 

The Limits of Pretence  

“Fake it till you make it” has its place, but it’s crucial to understand its boundaries: 

  • Not Suitable for All Roles: Faking it as a neurosurgeon? Absolutely not. Some roles require genuine expertise from the get-go. 🧠 

  • Misplaced Confidence Can Backfire: In roles like plastering or any skilled trade, pretending expertise can lead to poor outcomes and lost trust. 🏚️ 

When to “Fake It”  

This approach can be beneficial under certain circumstances: 

  • Filling Minor Knowledge Gaps: When you’re close to grasping a concept or skill, a bit of confidence can bridge that gap. 

  • Learning on the Job: Sometimes, you learn best by doing – especially in fast-paced Agile environments. 🌟 

Balancing Act: Expertise and Learning  

The key is to strike a balance: 

  • Hire Experts: For crucial or high-skill tasks, rely on proven expertise. 💼 

  • Encourage Coaching : Experts should mentor those who are less experienced, creating a learning culture. 📚 

  • Embrace Continuous Learning : Encourage a mindset where team members are always expanding their skills. 📈 

In summary, “Fake it till you make it” should be used with caution. It’s a tool for building confidence and learning, not a substitute for real expertise. In our Agile teams, let’s foster environments where learning is ongoing and expertise is valued.

Fake it till you make it. Fake it till you make it. Oh, but that, yeah, bake it till you make it has its limitations. You can, if you have some knowledge and you’re missing something, right, you’re missing a small piece, you can, uh, uh, uh, fake it till you make it. You can do the thing, like learn as you’re going and figure out how to do it better. But if you were, for example, I wouldn’t want my neurosurgeon faking it till they make it. I wouldn’t want, uh, uh, my plasterer that I’m hiring to do the walls of my house faking it till they make it. Hire expertise, but those experts should be coaching and helping those that don’t have skills, uh, or don’t have the skills but want them to make them better.

Subscribe

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Ericson Logo

Ericson

NIT A/S

YearUp.org Logo

YearUp.org

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Emerson Process Management Logo

Emerson Process Management

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May

Genus Breeding Ltd Logo

Genus Breeding Ltd

Bistech Logo

Bistech

CR2

Teleplan Logo

Teleplan

Lockheed Martin Logo

Lockheed Martin

Slicedbread Logo

Slicedbread

Alignment Healthcare Logo

Alignment Healthcare

Illumina Logo

Illumina

Healthgrades Logo

Healthgrades

Epic Games Logo

Epic Games

Microsoft Logo

Microsoft

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Royal Air Force Logo

Royal Air Force

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Big Data for Humans Logo

Big Data for Humans

Ericson Logo

Ericson

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company) Logo

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)

New Signature Logo

New Signature

Kongsberg Maritime Logo

Kongsberg Maritime