AgileCamp 2017 Dallas: "Evolving Agile Leadership at Riot Games. A Story of Challenging Convention"

Defining Agile Leadership: A Human-Centric Approach at Riot Games

Agile leadership is a term that’s often discussed yet rarely defined in depth. For many, it conjures images of servant leadership and supporting team autonomy.

But is there more to it than just empowering teams? How does Agile leadership align with Agile management in high-performing, dynamic environments? In this insightful talk, Ahmed from Riot Games sheds light on what Agile leadership truly entails in a complex, people-focused organization like Riot’s, where over 2,500 employees work within an Agile framework.

At Riot Games, leaders prioritize building strong, human-centric leaders instead of getting bogged down by rigid definitions or industry buzzwords.

In this video, Ahmed delves into the practical frameworks and principles that have shaped Riot’s unique understanding of Agile leadership—an understanding born from experience rather than textbooks.

This session will show how Riot Games thinks about leadership. It will highlight their efforts to support team independence and overall unity.

Ahmed explores how leadership can go beyond traditional Agile rhetoric and why certain norms, such as “single wringable necks” or “command-and-control” tactics, often fail to serve Agile environments effectively.

With a commitment to flexible, yet accountable leadership, Riot Games has crafted a novel leadership framework that empowers teams while maintaining strong accountability and clear alignment across departments.

Throughout the presentation, Ahmed introduces a new Agile leadership framework that clarifies the roles and responsibilities of leaders within an Agile organization. This framework addresses the delicate balance between encouraging team autonomy and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives—key factors in maintaining agility at scale.

Viewers will gain valuable insights into how Riot Games has adapted Agile principles to build resilient teams, prioritize accountability, and support Agile transformation across their organization.

This video offers an in-depth look at Agile leadership, providing actionable insights and fresh perspectives that challenge conventional Agile management practices.

Whether you’re an Agile coach, a team lead, or an executive in an Agile organization, this talk will broaden your understanding of how to lead effectively in an Agile world.