Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Avi.
"I do in fact agree that it's easier to get to zero inbox than people realize, it just takes discipline - but on the other hand, 'just' is doing a lot of work in that sentence"
I'm sure you would agree that the work exists whether we choose to do it consistently, a little at a time, or to incur it all when we are finally forced to do so (and usually when we can least afford it).
"I think it'd be very hard to argue that all or most teams and companies truly operate that way (most definitely lean more toward output than outcome)"
I don't disagree. I've seen much more dysfunction than effectiveness myself.
I like your term "sprint theater" very much, but I'm concerned that "Trading sprint theater for real progress" could very easily be mistaken for one of the raft of dangerously misinformed "Agile doesn't work" (at all), so do something else articles that have plagued Medium lately and that seem to be cheered on by the very often bitter, dysfunctional individuals and organizations that would most benefit from adopting these processes.
As I re-read your article, that's clearly not what you're saying, but part of your audience seems intent on misunderstanding. Generally speaking, they seem to cut a lot of corners and not to read very carefully but then complain loudly when things don't work "as advertised".
I completely agree that high-functioning organizations can be hard to find, but the option to create them ourselves is always available. ;)
As you note, I've been fortunate to be part of a number of great organizations, but I would point out that this is because I have left a large number of not-so-great ones behind after struggling to improve them.
I write here on Medium on business and technology topics like architecture, communication, requirements, AI, etc
https://medium.com/@frickingruvin
I maintain the website for my one-person consulting services organization, Cygnus, which describes my approach and the services I offer.
https://cygnustechnologyservices.com/services/
And I just launched my first digital product, AAF Data, that can dramatically improve an organization's data foundation by providing ready-to-use business entities and a RESTful business entity microservice (BEM).
https://cygnustechnologyservices.m-pages.com/AdaptivApplicationFoundation/Data
I would welcome your feedback (and participation if interested) in any/all of this.
Have a good one!
