In this episode, we sit down with Eric Mignot to explore the Core Protocols and how they can help teams build software products (though they apply to products in general) in a sustainable, high-performance way while avoiding burnout.
We talk about mindful communication through protocols like check-in, ask for help, and the decider, and how important it is to communicate intent explicitly rather than leave it to another person's interpretation. Eric shares how you can start using these protocols individually even when your team doesn't know them. He also emphasizes that the protocols work better when they are adopted voluntarily, and that they cannot be forced on teams.
Eric also talks about his journey from Scrum coach and instructor to discovering these protocols, and how technical excellence and human connection both matter when it comes to preventing burnout. We talk about the challenges of achieving real unanimity, the importance of self-awareness, and that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is ask for help, without necessarily having all the answers or a well-defined, concrete ask first.
