Agree the exit signal before the first session
When: A stream-aligned team has asked for help with a capability gap. Nobody, including you, can say what "done" would look like.
The action: Before any teaching or pairing, agree one sign the team will be able to see when they no longer need you. Write it down where the team can see it.
Forces: Teams asking for help want help now, and a conversation about leaving can feel like reluctance. Agreeing the exit costs a session up front. It pays back by giving both sides permission to end the engagement.
Signals: The team refers to the exit signal unprompted. Within a few weeks, the practice appears in their own backlog and commits without you present.
When not to: The team is firefighting and needs hands immediately. Help first, then agree the exit signal once things are stable enough to talk about.
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