Episode 21: Agile Transformation & AI – What Stays the Same, What Changes | with Alexander Jödecke and Mario A. Brückner

25 years of the Agile Manifesto. And yet, many organisations today find themselves in almost the same position as they were back then: too many unfinished tasks, too little real change, and employees worn thin between day-to-day operations and transformation projects. Why is this the case – and what really helps?

In episode 21 of the Living Transformation podcast, host Mario A. Brückner speaks with Alexander Jödecke, a mechanical engineer, systems thinker and organisational developer with hands-on experience. For the past five years, Alexander has been supporting companies in mechanical engineering and industry – where transformation doesn’t happen in a slide deck, but on the shop floor and in day-to-day project work.

What to expect in this episode

The conversation revolves around a central question: What have we learnt from over two decades of agile work – and what of that is now carrying us into the AI transformation? The answers are more honest than expected.

Alexander explains why agility is no longer a belief system today, but a tool – one that you need to know about, but don’t have to use everywhere. He describes how 90-day cycles function as a control mechanism, why physical boards often work better than digital tools in a distributed working environment, and what companies must do to ensure that capacity for change work isn’t lost again as soon as the next client project comes along.

Particularly fascinating: the perspective on AI transformation. Alexander and Mario discuss why the sense of urgency is genuinely different this time compared to previous waves of transformation – and what fear lies behind it. They talk about a culture of error without preaching, about the difficulty of breaking patterns, and about three questions every organisation should be asking itself now to provide guidance to employees.

The key topics of this episode

• Agile Manifesto 2025: What remains valid, what has been misinterpreted?
• Managing transformation: 90-day cycles, OKRs and physical boards as anchors
• Capacity for change: How organisations create genuine time for transformation
• A culture of error without dogma: Why a relaxed approach produces fewer errors than fear
• AI transformation in mechanical engineering: Barriers, scope for action and first steps
• What European organisations can learn from American and Asian approaches – and what they should avoid

About Alexander Jödecke

Alexander Jödecke is a mechanical engineer and a systemically trained coach who has been working as a freelance organisational developer for five years. He supports companies in industry and public administration through agile and strategic transformation processes – with a focus on pragmatism, effectiveness and measurable impact.

About the Living Transformation Podcast

The Living Transformation Podcast is the podcast for agile and digital transformation. Hosts Mario A. Brückner, Malte Laas and Nico Schumann talk to experts from research and practice about organisational change, agile mindset and leadership in complex environments. You can find all episodes, the book and further resources at living-transformation.com.