Today, we sit down with John Riley and Deborah Andrews, the dynamic team behind Ready Set Agile.

With years of experience in agile coaching, people operations, and organizational transformation, John and Deborah share how they help businesses align technical and cultural strategies for long-term success. You’ll hear the story of how Ready Set Agile was born, the importance of company culture in navigating change, and practical insights on fostering self-managing teams that thrive through continuous learning.

Whether you’re a leader looking to drive real, lasting change or someone passionate about workforce development, this conversation delivers fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways for everyone looking to build a more agile and resilient organization.

Inspiring Moments

00:00 Agile Experts John & Deborah Andrews

03:43 Deborah's Impactful Leadership Journey

08:01 Aligning Vision for Effective Solutions

13:17 Consulting vs. Coaching Models

14:43 Empowering Through Coaching

18:40 "Empowering Change Agents Over Leaders"

22:59 Workshops: Personalized Common Experiences

25:45 Next Gen Talent Development Program

27:36 Reach Out for Agile Collaboration

3 key takeaways that stood out:

• Culture is the Gatekeeper: Deborah shared how true organizational culture shows itself under pressure, not just when things are going well. Building psychological safety is essential to creating self-managing, innovative teams.
• Coaching Over Consulting: Instead of just solving short-term problems, Ready Set Agile arms teams and individuals with skills and tools for continuous improvement. The goal? To make organizations self-sufficient and adaptable long after the engagement ends.
• Everyone Can Be a Leader: Leadership and change don't just flow from the top. By empowering “change agents” at every level (even the quiet knowledge-keepers), Ready Set Agile helps make transformation contagious throughout an organization.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

[email protected]

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Presented by First Merchants Bank