The Psychology of Agile Work
Essential Insights for Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters
Discover the missing link between agile frameworks and real human behavior. The Psychology of Agile Work combines psychological science with agile practice to help coaches, leaders, and teams unlock lasting transformation. This research-informed guide gives you the tools to lead with clarity, motivate with purpose, and design work that truly works — for people and performance.
Why Agile Needs Psychology: Make Agility Human-Centered and Sustainable
In today's fast-paced, complex environments, agile frameworks are everywhere — yet real agility remains rare. Why? Because while we focus on sprints and rituals, we often ignore what drives people: motivation, trust, autonomy, and psychological safety.
The Psychology of Agile Work: Essential Insights for Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters fills this critical gap. Written by Dr. Stefanie Puckett — a licensed psychologist, certified Agile Coach, and experienced organizational consultant — this book bridges agile methods with the science of human behavior. With nearly two decades of experience supporting leaders, teams, and organizations, Dr. Puckett delivers practical tools and psychological models that make Agile more human-centered, sustainable, and impactful.
Inside you’ll find:
✅ How job design influences motivation, using the Job Characteristics Model
✅ The science of trust, feedback, ownership, and team autonomy
✅ Common psychological traps in Agile – from surveillance to sprint pressure
✅ Why transparency is a double-edged sword
✅ How leaders can become architects of meaningful, empowering work
✅ Foundations of job crafting, self-determination theory, and behavioral design
📚 Whether you're a seasoned Scrum Master, a new Agile Coach, or a leader navigating change, this book will reshape the way you think about agility, leadership, and team dynamics.