Achieve cultivating 100 CEOs to become CSMs within six months, where there’s a will there’s a way. With great power comes great responsibility

Creating an agile environment requires a correct understanding of agile values and principles; practicing agility requires an agile team with a shared vision and understanding; to implant agile values and culture into an organization, it needs to start from the top (CEO). As of November 19, 2023, I am delighted to announce that the first Sprint Goal of the CST Aspiration Declaration has been achieved: 100 CEOs have become CSMs, injecting new energy into Taiwan’s agile ecosystem. Thank you to all stakeholders for their achievements.

I am very grateful for the trust and affirmation I have received on the agile journey, and I share with you all with immense joy and emotion that we have achieved the most difficult first Sprint Goal: training 100 CEOs to become CSMs.

Responsibility and mission signify commitment, growth, and a concrete demonstration of agile action. Starting with this photo, it’s not only a frozen moment of commemoration but also the beginning of a journey to create an agile ecosystem.

This captures the precious moment on May 5th when I officially became a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) authorized to issue CSM certificates, marking my ten-year journey of consistent agile practice.

CST Vision, Will, and Achievements

The Dream Blueprint of CEO-CSM: Driving Agile Across Industry Boundaries

During a 10,000-kilometer flight back to Taiwan, I wrote down the dream blueprint for CEO-CSM on a piece of paper. In that moment, I deeply realized that what I was imparting was not just knowledge, but also the foundation for the future achievements of a hundred CEOs. Strategy and management make every story remarkable.

I am determined to promote agility beyond the IT industry. In Taiwan, most of the management layer believes that agility is only suitable for the IT industry. However, breaking this inherent limitation needs to start from the top of the business—the CEO.

This is because most of them do not come from an information technology background but rather have finance or business management backgrounds.

With effort and trust, I gained the support of 113 CEOs. They joined the my CEO-CSM certification training. Many people think that certification is merely about taking exams, a piece of paper, or a receipt, but it is much more than that.

Delivering a vision and mission is what I aim to impart to the CEOs. My goal is to create an agile ecosystem for CEOs, not just to make them understand the principles, concepts, and workings of agility, but more importantly, to foster collective intelligence and break free from limiting mindsets.

I provide them with full support and opportunities for continuous growth. Becoming a CSM is the starting point of agility, not the end. It is also a valuable case study for the development of agility in Taiwan.

The Impact Beyond Boundaries: The Journey of Growing Together with Business Leaders

Among these 100 CEOs, there are notable leaders like the General Managers of Google Taiwan and Lenovo Computers, as well as the former President of World Vision. I was surprised to find that my influence has far exceeded my expectations. In the classroom interactions and exchanges, I also learned and gained from them.

Each class’s dynamic interaction is a priceless experience and journey, and an unselfish sharing. Because of the common good, it becomes even better. Your success is also my achievement, and the most precious harvest of this mission.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way; With great power comes great responsibility” I am thankful for the collaboration and journey with these hundred CEOs. They have not only realized my dream but also opened a new chapter in agility.

Today, our story is just beginning. Let’s continue to move forward on the path of agility, creating even more possibilities! Let’s Scrum on!

Persist in your own philosophy, never give up the effort to pursue your dreams – Dr. Roger Chou, CST Scrum International Ambassador

Roger CST Declaration: Selflessly train 100 CEOs to become CSMs, opening new horizons for businesses https://bit.ly/3O4ABF4