Is the Agile Manifesto Wrong? People and Process Are Not Enemies

“Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.”
This principle from the Agile Manifesto is foundational. But too often, it’s misunderstood. Leaders assume it means processes are bad—cold, rigid, and impersonal.

The truth? Processes aren’t the problem—cold systems are. When systems are poorly designed, they stifle creativity, kill trust, and create more friction than flow.

But warm systems? They’re different. Warm systems spark conversations, growth, feedback, and—as the great philosopher Ted Lasso would say—“smells like potential.”

It’s not people over process. It’s people and process, working together to unlock a team’s best work.

Cold Systems vs. Warm Systems

Here’s the difference:

The Role of Warm Systems: Creating Space for Growth

Warm systems aren’t just about efficiency—they’re about enabling human potential.

• A cold performance review system feels like a box-checking exercise.

• A warm one sparks meaningful conversations about growth, strengths, and opportunities.

• A cold feedback system feels punitive or formal.

• A warm one builds trust and encourages feedback that’s constructive, timely, and actionable.

Warm systems, by design, make people feel seen, valued, and supported. They don’t suffocate innovation—they invite it.

Designing Warm Systems: It Starts With People

How do you turn cold systems into warm ones? Follow these principles:

1. Start With Conversations
   Systems shouldn’t be built in isolation. Involve your team and ask:

   • “What’s holding you back?”
   • “Where do you see friction?”
   • “What would make this process work for you?”

   Warm systems solve real problems because they start with the people experiencing them.

2. Spark Growth, Not Fear
   Systems should make it safe to try, fail, learn, and improve.

   • Example: A feedback system that encourages frequent, constructive feedback instead of waiting for a once-a-year review.

3. Simplify and Remove Friction
   Cold systems often add unnecessary complexity. Warm systems streamline. If a system doesn’t make your team’s work easier, it’s not serving them.

4. Prioritize Flexibility and Iteration
   Systems should evolve as your team does. Build in room to test, improve, and adapt over time.

5. Make Potential Visible
   Warm systems help people see opportunities for growth. They make space for conversations about strengths, contributions, and what’s next.

   Or, as Ted Lasso says, “Smells like potential.”

Real-World Warm Systems: The Feedback Loop That Works

In one of my roles, team communication was breaking down. People were frustrated, feedback was inconsistent, and trust was eroding.

A cold system would have added more check-ins, more structure, and more pressure—an extra burden no one wanted. Instead, we created a warm system:

• Frequent, low-stakes feedback loops where team members could share quick wins, roadblocks, and support needs.
• Guidelines for constructive feedback to keep conversations productive and trust intact.
• Recognition moments to highlight contributions and strengths.

The result? Communication improved, team trust grew, and the feedback sparked new ideas and growth.

It wasn’t the system itself that made the difference—it was the space it created for people to connect and grow.

Systems That Smell Like Potential

The Agile Manifesto is right to put people first. But processes—when designed with care—are what make it possible for teams to thrive.

Warm systems strike the balance. They create structure without stifling creativity. They provide clarity without micromanagement. Most importantly, they create space for trust, growth, and—yes—potential.

If your systems feel cold, it’s time to ask: How can they better serve the people using them?

Because the best systems don’t replace people. They empower them.

Ready to build systems that spark trust, growth, and potential?
Let’s connect and design processes that work for your team.