Monday, August, 25th 18.15h – 22.00h
Two inspiring sessions. One community. And a BBQ to close of summer.
Agile conversations taste better with something from the grill
This Agile Kitchen session will look a little different. Same concept, same open atmosphere, but with a summer setting that invites you to linger. You’ll join a session that stretches your thinking, then head outside for a good BBQ, cold drinks, and relaxed conversation.
We’re offering two parallel sessions this time. You choose your track on the evening itself. Both are interactive, grounded in real-life challenges, and designed for everyone who wants to grow in their work, leadership, and collaboration.
1 Agile Kitchen, 2 sessions
Track 1: Giving and receiving feedback
Facilitated by Philippe Vandessel & Geneviève Loriaux
We say we want a feedback culture, but in practice, giving or receiving feedback often feels awkward. Even unsafe. That hesitation creates distance between people, weakens trust, and slows down growth.
In this session, Philippe invites you to take a fresh look at feedback. Together, we’ll explore how it can become a driver of learning and connection, not a source of tension. Expect to reflect, share, and practice in a setting that feels safe but honest.
What we’ll explore:
- What makes feedback land, and what shuts people down
- How to give feedback without sounding vague or defensive
- The hidden power of asking for feedback
- How to work with real emotions, not just frameworks
- Why timing, trust, and clarity matter more than technique
You do not need to be a leader to benefit from this. Just someone who works with people and wants to improve the way conversations shape collaboration.
Track 2: Storytelling that sticks
Facilitated by Jan Van der Burgt
We often assume facts speak for themselves. However, in reality, it is stories that people remember. They move ideas forward, make change visible, and help others feel what matters. In teams, products, and leadership, storytelling is not a nice-to-have. It is a skill.
In this hands-on session, Jan brings storytelling back to its essentials. You will discover what makes a story resonate and why most presentations fall flat. The session follows the CAST framework: Content, Audience, Story, and Telling.
What we’ll explore:
- Why every story starts with “why”
- The difference between informing and connecting
- How to build stories that invite others in
- What Pixar, Kennedy, and your team stand-ups have in common
You do not need to be a keynote speaker to use this. Whether you are a product owner explaining vision, a coach introducing change, or a team lead giving updates, this session will provide you with tools to make your message land.
Proudly hosted by three iLeaners
Philippe Vandessel
Philippe started his career as a business and functional analyst. Working across different industries taught him how to understand what teams and clients really need.
In 2015, he joined a Scrum team for the first time. The way of working immediately clicked. Since then, he has supported many teams in their Agile maturity by building cultures of trust, openness, and continuous improvement.
Philippe is also a frequent speaker at events like XP Day and Agile Tour Brussels, where he shares honest stories and practical approaches to feedback and team development.
Geneviève Loriaux
Geneviève is a continuous improvement coach with a strong belief in the power of shared goals and collaboration. She thrives when guiding teams and leaders toward alignment, helping them move forward with clarity and purpose.
Her expertise in Agile methodologies is grounded in real experience. Geneviève has led organisational transformations and improvement initiatives in complex environments, always focusing on connection, communication and trust.
People value her for her calm clarity, her ability to create safe dialogue, and her focus on growth.
Jan Van der Burgt
Jan is a product management coach with more than seven years of experience. He helps teams and stakeholders align, solve real problems, and build products that matter.
He combines technical understanding with design thinking and coaching. His focus is on helping people communicate clearly and take ownership.
Jan also teaches at Karel de Grote University College, using methods like Liberating Structures and Training from the Back of the Room.
His sessions are energetic, structured, and always grounded in practical experience.
What is Agile Kitchen?
Agile Kitchen is iLean’s quarterly community event for people who care about Agile in practice.
Each edition delves into a real-world topic that Agile teams face every day: from team dynamics and product decisions to leadership challenges and organisational change. Thoughtful, hands-on sessions where practitioners share what works (and what doesn’t) in their context.
What makes it different?
- It’s interactive and community-driven
- We keep it practical, open, and refreshingly no-nonsense
- You’ll connect with like-minded professionals who think critically and share generously
- And yes, there’s always good food.
Agile Kitchen is our quarterly gathering, where you can reflect, recharge, and enjoy meaningful conversations. Bring your curiosity, and leave feeling inspired and eager to try something new.
Who is this Agile Kitchen session for?
This session is for anyone who:
- Works with people and wants better conversations
- Facilitates meetings, retrospectives or decision-making moments
- Is tired of surface-level communication and wants more clarity
- Believes growth happens in the way we speak and listen to each other
Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, team lead or coach, you’ll leave with something tangible.
The essentials
- Date: Monday, 25 August 2025
- Time: 18:00–22:00
- Doors open: 18:00
- Sessions start: 18:15
- BBQ and networking: from 20:00 until ± 22:00
- Location: Spoor 18, Mechelen
- Food: BBQ with drinks included
Are you vegetarian? Let us know via sigrid@ilean.be so we can make sure there’s something tasty for you too. - Ticket: €25
As this is a special summer edition featuring a BBQ, we request a small entrance fee. The ticket price includes the sessions, food and drinks, and the community atmosphere you have come to expect.