Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a huge number of people across numerous business and technology transformations.

It’s clear to me that successful transformation isn’t just about frameworks, tools, or methodologies – it’s about people. Agile delivery thrives on the strength of the individuals driving it forward.

In every transformation I’ve been part of, the most impactful outcomes have come from empowered teams composed of people with a unique blend of attributes.

Let me share what I’ve found to be the most critical qualities:

1. Resilience – Transformation is rarely linear. There are setbacks, pivots, and moments of uncertainty. Resilient individuals don’t just endure these – they adapt, learn, and keep moving forward. They bring stability in chaos and help others stay grounded.

2. Pragmatism – Idealism has its place, but in delivery, pragmatism wins. The ability to balance ambition with realism, to make decisions based on context rather than theory, is what keeps projects on track. Pragmatic team members know when to push and when to pivot.

3. Collaborative but Decisive – Agile is inherently collaborative, but collaboration without decision-making leads to stagnation. The best people I’ve worked with are open and honest. They know how to listen, engage, and then make clear, confident decisions. They foster inclusion without losing momentum.

4. Good Listening Skills – Listening is underrated. In transformation, it’s everything. Whether it’s understanding stakeholder concerns, hearing what’s not being said in a stand-up, or absorbing feedback from users – good listeners build trust and uncover insights that drive better outcomes.

5. Expertise and Depth of Knowledge – Transformation demands depth. It’s not enough to be a generalist; you need people who know their domain inside and out. Expertise brings credibility, and credibility builds confidence – both within the team and with stakeholders.

In agile delivery, the right people don’t just execute – they elevate. They bring clarity to complexity, momentum to ambiguity, and humanity to technology.

None of these qualities are in any way diluted or negated by the shifts we’re seeing with AI becoming increasingly embedded in how transformation is delivered. If anything, these qualities will become both super-powered by AI’s growing capabilities, and even more important to maintain the human element of delivery.

If you’re building a transformation team, look beyond the resume. Seek out those who embody these attributes. Because in the end, delivering real change is much easier with the right people.