About
Me
I draw on four decades of experience leading, observing, and living organizational change. I work with a broad array of organizations. My clients include both start ups and Fortune 500 companies.
Based on experience and research, my approach blends attention to humans and deep knowledge of complex adaptive systems.
About
Me
I draw on four decades of experience leading, observing, and living organizational change. I work with a broad array of organizations. My clients include both start ups and Fortune 500 companies.
Based on experience and research, my approach blends attention to humans and deep knowledge of complex adaptive systems.
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I have been called one of the most influential voices within the agile communities when it comes to developing organizations, coaching teams, and transforming management. My work over many years has influenced coaches and leaders across many companies.
Jerry Weinberg exposed me to experiential training in 1991. Since then, I’ve applied experiential learning and adult learning theory to create high-impact workshops. I run two of the most sought after trainings for leaders seeking to apply systems thinking and congruence to their work. Through my work, I’ve influenced a generation of leaders in companies across the world.
Background
I started my career as a programmer. However, over the years I’ve worn many hats, including business owner, internal consultant and manager. From all these perspectives, one thing was clear: individual, team, and even organizational success depends greatly on the work environment and organizational dynamics. As a result, I have spent the last twenty-five years helping companies shape their environment for optimum success.
In 1997, I founded esther derby associates, inc. What I care most about is making work more humane….which—and I don’t think this is a coincidence—makes work more enjoyable, creative, and effective.
Formal and Informal Education
Starting in 1991, I studied and worked extensively with Jerry Weinberg.
In 1999, I participated in Jean McLendon’s Year-long program exploring the Satir Growth Model.
These experiences influence how I show up, and how I approach helping people and organizations see new options.
My formal education includes an MA in Organizational Leadership and a certificate in Human Systems Dynamics.
I am certified as a Mentor Coach (ICF coaching model) and Satir Mentor Coach.
In addition, I participated in several workshops at the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science, with a focus on organizational development (OD).
Industry Contributions
In 2000, I was one of the original founders of the AYE Conference. This groundbreaking conference had no powerpoint, and no lectures. All our sessions were half-day experiential explorations of topics related to working effectively in software organizations.
In 2002 Norm Kerth, Diana Larsen, and I started the Retrospective Facilitator’s Gathering (RFG). RFG used Open Space Technology as an organizing principle. Our format was the inspiration behind the unconference model used at Coach Camps and many other conferences.
These two conferences contributed to the movement towards more experiential, more participatory sessions in conferences and workshops across my industry.
In 2005, Diana Larsen and I co-authored Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great. I am widely credited with formalizing retrospectives as part of the inspect and adapt cycle of Scrum. Scrum has become a widespread agile approach to software development.
The process we described in our 2005 book (and reiterated in the 2024 2nd edition) has supported teams all over the world to find agency and improve the way they work together to deliver valuable software.
In 2008 I convinced Jerry Weinberg to revive his Problem-Solving Leadership workshop, which had been the gold standard for leaders in software develop;ment since the 1970s. Jerry, Johanna Rothman and I co-led the workshop for several years, then Jerry and I led it until his health forced his retirement in 2017. Jerry passed stewardship of PSL to me and Don Gray. We continue to influence leaders in our field to lead by creating environments where everyone can contribute creatively to solving problems–whether those problems involve code or people.
I served two terms on the Board of the Agile Alliance, where I helped the board transition towards creating and directing policy through staff, rather than trying to do it all ourselves. I was a member of the program selection team for the yearly Agile conference for several years.
Personal
I live in northern Minnesota, not far from the shores of beautiful Lake Superior, the greatest of the Great Lakes.
I enjoy being outdoors in all of our seasons. There is no bad weather, only bad gear. I like cooking, gardening, walking, kayaking, and West Coast Swing.
I volunteer as a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener, where my interests center on native pollinators and non-native house plants.
Every Coaching Engagement Starts with a Conversation
Our first conversation is always free, and there’s never any obligation.