The Community of Practice

(a.k.a the best learning facilitation for neurodiverse —and neurotypical— people, ever)

In the process of learning to do what I do, I went through a number of certification programs. The most rigorous of these (the CSP and PMI-ACP) required weeks of study, extensive professional experience, and an exam. But even those were more effective for getting recognition for my expertise than actually learning. I mainly developed the skills that I have by working, and through years of participation in my community of practice.

This community of practice was a meetup group that got together once a month. Each meeting included a workshop or lecture, a social period, discussion, and food. Gradually (from about 2007-2016) I absorbed education in digestible chunks with a community of peers. In between meetings, I applied what I had learned to the work that I did with engineering teams, and developed my personal "Agile4ADHD" practice (which later became my coaching methodology). Over time, I received mentorship from people who had more experience, and graduated to providing mentorship to people who had less experience.

Although less active now, my local Agile community of practice still exists. There’s even an annual conference.

This is (IMHO) the best form of education. Small amounts of information, delivered continuously over a long period of time, and supported by a working community is the most effective means of learning for almost everyone, but especially neurodiverse people. Not only is it a better model for learning, but it’s better for human social and emotional health. The reason standard education doesn’t follow this model is mainly because it scales.