184. Agile Transformation Without Purpose? Why It Fails, and How to Fix It I Ben Maynard

Why do so many Agile transformations fail, even when teams follow every process?

In this episode of the Productized Podcast, host Pedro Ganço sits down with Ben Maynard, Agile coach, leadership expert, and founder of Sheev, to explore the missing ingredient in most product organizations: purpose.

Ben shares his deeply personal journey, from overcoming early life challenges to coaching leaders across the globe, and explains why methods alone won’t drive real change. Together, they explore how aligning teams around shared meaning leads to better collaboration, faster decisions, and more impactful products.

Whether you're navigating Agile transformation, trying to motivate a burned-out team, or redefining leadership in your company, this conversation will give you the clarity, and humanity, you need.

👇 What you’ll learn:

➡️ Why product teams feel misaligned—even with Agile in place

➡️ How to bring purpose back into product work

➡️ The problem with over-relying on frameworks and canvases

➡️ How AI fits into purpose-driven collaboration

➡️ Practical leadership tips for creating “contexts of care”

🎯 “Less method. More meaning.” That’s the mindset shift Ben says we all need to make.

Chapters:

02:18 Ben Maynard's Unique Journey and Background

05:14 The Importance of Personal Development and Sharing Experiences

07:41 Common Themes in Product Management Conversations

10:39 Podcasting Formats: Solo vs. Interviews

14:07 The Motivation Behind Starting a Podcast

17:03 Transitioning from Traditional Banking to Agile Practices

19:46 Challenges in Agile Transformation

24:51 Key Differentiators in Successful Organizations

27:45 Aligning Teams Around Purpose

30:12 The Importance of Repetition in Communication

32:42 Creating Context for Meaningful Work

35:52 The Role of Purpose in Adversity

37:30 AI's Impact on Agile Product Development

46:08 Integrating Purpose and Agile Methodologies

Where to Find Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/

Sheev: https://sheev.co.uk

Product Agility Podcast: https://productagilitypod.co.uk

Where to find Pedro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroganco/

🎉 Mark your calendars for Productized Conference 2025! Join us for the 10th edition of this premier event, where product management leaders from around the world gather for insightful talks, networking, and celebration. Tickets are already available—don’t miss out! Get your tickets now: https://www.productized.co

Where to find us:

JOIN THE COMMUNITY 👉 http://bit.ly/3aMvWn2

Website: https://productized.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/productized

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/productized.co/

Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/pt-BR/Productized/