The Old Man and His Sons
Illustrates Team Unity, Collective Strength
One of the greatest challenges Agile teams face is maintaining unity under pressure. Teams often fracture when facing adversity or change, each individual pulling in different directions. The parable of The Old Man and His Sons provides insight into the importance of team cohesion, collective strength, and the power of working together.
An old man, nearing the end of his life, gathered his sons around him. Worried by the constant arguments and competition among them, he hoped to teach them one last valuable lesson.
He gave each son a single stick and asked them to break it. Each son did so easily, smiling confidently. Then, the old man gathered a bundle of sticks and handed it to his eldest. "Now," he said quietly, "break this."
The eldest son strained with all his might, but the bundle stayed whole. Each son in turn attempted to break the bundle but none succeeded.
Seeing their struggle, the old man spoke gently, "Individually, each stick is easily broken. But together, they become strong and unbreakable. Like these sticks, you must remain united. Your strength and success depend on how well you support each other."
Lessons Learned
Unity Creates Strength
Individual members may be talented, but real strength emerges from collaboration and teamwork.
Resilience Through Cooperation
A united team can weather challenges that would overwhelm individuals working alone.
Shared Vision and Goals
Teams aligned around shared objectives remain stable and productive through adversity.
Avoiding Fragmentation
Internal divisions weaken effectiveness and expose vulnerabilities.
Open Communication
Conflict is inevitable, but resolution through open communication strengthens the team.
Coaching Tips
- Foster a Shared Purpose: Regularly revisit team goals and visions to reinforce alignment.
- Encourage Collective Ownership: Promote shared responsibilities for successes and setbacks alike.
- Celebrate Unity: Recognize and reward collective efforts more frequently than individual performances.
- Conduct Retrospectives Together: Encourage honest, open communication to surface concerns, solve conflicts, and build deeper trust.
- Model Collaboration: As a coach, demonstrate unity and collaboration through your own behavior and interactions.
The parable of The Old Man And His Sons reminds Agile teams that their true strength lies in collective unity. By maintaining a shared vision, openly communicating, and nurturing collaboration, teams can withstand challenges and thrive. Agile success is not about individual heroics but about mutual support, resilience, and the combined strength of every member working together.
