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Certified Agile Leader 1 Logo

Certified Agile Leader 1

Agile leadership isn’t about knowing frameworks. It’s about making a real impact.

The CAL 1 certification helps you break through political, cultural, and structural barriers to build stronger, more adaptable teams and organizations.

Led by Arlen Bankston, a 25-year agile veteran, this deeply interactive course gives you the tools to tackle leadership challenges head-on. Through discussions, exercises, and real-world examples, you'll gain practical insights you can apply immediately.

Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, LeSS, FAST—we don’t just cover agile methodologies; we help you understand when and how to use them. Learn how to empower teams, drive adaptability, and avoid common pitfalls that slow organizations down.

Walk away with confidence. Earn your CAL 1 certification and badge, but more importantly, gain the skills to lead with clarity, navigate complexity, and help your organization thrive in today’s unpredictable world.

Student Testimonials

Vetted reviews from class attendees

4.89 - 206 reviews
5.00 - 82 reviews
4.90 - 798 reviews

Arlen Bankston's Testimonials

Your Path to Agile Leadership Success

Everything You Need to Know About CAL 1

Master Agile Leadership with CAL 1

The Scrum Alliance Certified Agile Leader® 1 (CAL 1) workshop is designed for leaders looking to launch or enhance agility at both the team and organizational level.

Led by an experienced executive with over 20 years of real-world transformation experience, this course provides practical, no-nonsense insights from someone who has worked with companies across both the private and public sectors since the genesis of the agile movement.

No question will go unanswered. You’ll engage in discussions that tackle real-world challenges—ensuring you leave with the clarity and confidence to drive meaningful change in your organization.

Why This Course Matters for Leaders

Great leaders don’t just manage change. They drive it. The CAL 1 workshop equips you with the mindset, focus, and behaviors needed to lead agile transformations effectively.

In today’s complex and fast-changing world, agile leadership isn’t optional. It’s essential. You’ll learn why agile methods matter, how to track their impact, and what it takes to cultivate a truly adaptive organization.

We explore proven strategies for driving change in an iterative and incremental fashion, giving you the tools to influence agility at every level from teams to enterprise-wide transformation.

What You Will Experience

The CAL 1 workshop explores the evolution of agile methods and how they differ from traditional approaches like waterfall. We also examine the common hybrid models many organizations use, where upfront planning is blended with agile execution.

Through interactive case studies, thought experiments, and pattern-based exercises, you’ll see agile leadership in action. Real-world examples of organizations that have successfully customized agile approaches will illustrate the flexibility and creativity that informed leadership can unlock.

Gain Hands-on Experience With:

  • Visualizing and optimizing value streams
  • Comparing different ways to structure and connect teams
  • Exploring strategic and tactical measurement methods
  • Applying agility beyond development teams
  • Understanding unique approaches to prioritization for projects and features
  • Learning effective change management strategies

Every class is unique—your trainer leverages deep experience and a vast library of custom content to address the specific needs of the group in real time.

Session Schedule

Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)

Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 25
Mon Aug
thru
 26
Tue Aug
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 8 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 18
Thu Sep
thru
 19
Fri Sep
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 16 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 2
Thu Oct
thru
 3
Fri Oct
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 23 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 13
Mon Oct
thru
 14
Tue Oct
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 23 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 29
Wed Oct
thru
 30
Thu Oct
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 23 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 13
Thu Nov
thru
 14
Fri Nov
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 23 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 1
Mon Dec
thru
 2
Tue Dec
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 23 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Certified Agile Leader 1 (CAL1)
 18
Thu Dec
thru
 19
Fri Dec
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
8.00 hours each day
Two days

Live Online / Virtual

Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

★★★★★ Testimonials

USD 1,395 USD 1,195 Early Bird* till 23 Aug
*Additional Discounts Available
Discounts
Details
Register
Want to bring a training to your team or organization?
Contact us to discuss options for private workshops.

Training Discounts

A variety of discounts to fit your situation.

Request your discount on the session (a class on date/time with a trainer) you want. If more than one discount applies explain in your comments.

You can pay in installments by choosing Splitit at checkout.

For Grow-Lean Alumni, log in or use your account email when registering, and receive an automatic discount. If you also qualify for another discount, request it, and, if your email matches, we know you are an alumni.

If you have a Visa or Mastercard credit card you can pay in monthly installments. There are no fees or interest if you pay on time! Your available credit must be enough to cover the full cost and there is a hold on your credit card for the amount that you have not paid.

For example, if your final fee is $999 and you choose three installments:

  • You would pay $333 today and have a $666 hold placed on your credit card.
  • The following month your credit card would be charged another $333 and the hold would be reduced to $333.
  • Your final payment would be $333.

If you are not familiar with the term "hold" this is similar to what hotels do when you check in, to cover extra expenses you may incur including the mini bar.

The benefit to you is that you do not pay any interest or fees if all payments are on time.

Find Session

Find the session you want on the class list, then click "Discounts" link. Early-bird discounts do not need to be requested.

Choose Discounts

You will be on the discounts tab for the class.

Select Discount

Choose the appropriate discount then click the link for it. Not all discounts are available for all sessions.

Enter & Submit

Provide the requested information then click "Submit".

Early Bird
Early Bird

Combines With: Everything

Able to register in advance?

The Early Bird discount is available on many of classes.

There is no need to request it. Simply register while it is available.

If you receive another discount it will combine with the Early Bird.

Out of Pocket
Out of Pocket

Combines With: Alumni, Early Bird

Paying yourself and won't be reimbursed?

The Out of Pocket is for you if you won't be reimbursed. If you are unemployed, a military veteran, or a student request the appropriate discount.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

Group & Private
Group & Private

Combines With: Early Bird

Bringing friends or colleagues to one or more sessions or want a private session?

The Group and Private Discounts are for sending three or more attendees to one or more events or for private events (i.e. just for your team).

To request, choose a session (class on a date with a trainer) you are interested in, click the Discount Link, and when filling out the form describe your situation.

Our Training Team will reach out to you.

Alumni
Alumni

Combines With: Early Bird, Hardship, Out of Pocket, Student, Veteran

Get 5% off for each public session, over $225, you took with us, up to 20%.

The Alumni Discount provides you discounted rates to future Grow-Lean training.

For each Grow-Lean session* you take with us, at a rate of $225 or above, you accumulate another 5% off of a future training, up to 20% off*.

* We have a small number of partner events where the alumni discount does not apply.

Hardship
Hardship

Combines With: Early Bird, Alumni

Suffering an economic hardship and able to provide an unemployment notice or separation agreement?

The Hardship Discount is for you if you are suffering an economic hardship and are able to provide an unemployment notice or separation agreement and are not being reimbursed.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

Student & Educator
Student & Educator

Combines With: Early Bird

Are you a full-time student or educator, with a .edu email address?

The Student Discount is for you if you are a full-time student or educator with a .edu email address.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

When completing the request tell us your major and expected graduation date or explain what you teach and where.

Military & Veteran
Military & Veteran

Combines With: Early Bird

Are you active duty military or a veteran?

The Military / Veteran Discount is applicable if you are active duty, reserve, or retired from the military.

Choose a specific session (class on a date with a trainer), click on Discounts, and complete the request form. If you are not sure of the date, choose a session and explain in the comments.

When completing the request tell us if you will be reimbursed or not.

Have a Visa or Mastercard Credit Card?
Pay in installments by choosing Splitit at checkout.
You pay zero interest!

Choose an Experienced Trainer


Arlen Bankston

CST | CSP-SM | CSP-PO | CAL | A-CSM | CSM | A-CSPO | CSPO | LSS MB | SAFe SPC5

Your trainer Arlen Bankston has a lengthy career starting prior to the Agile Manifesto. He was a founding executive in one of the earliest agile consultancies, starting with agile in the late 1990's. He has filled multiple roles over his training and coaching career, and worked with leaders at all types of organizations.

As as result you’ll enjoy a consistently fresh and open-minded approach to agility in your CAL 1 that leans on real experience and anecdotes. Arlen uses tools like Mural and Mentimeter in completely unique ways that many students have commented is interesting in its own respect and keeps them fully engaged from beginning to end. Arlen goes to great lengths to help students share with one another, a benefit unique to a class like this with leadership talent.

CAL 1 Learning Objectives

Master the core principles and values of agile leadership. Understand your role in promoting them so you can think and lead with agility.

The Growth of Agile

Today’s markets are volatile, unpredictable, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). Agile methods address these challenges by using tight, effective feedback loops to maximize learning, limit risk, and increase return on investment.

Why Agile Leadership

Agile methods were created to support adaptation without sacrificing quality in software development. However, delivering great products and services requires end-to-end agility - going beyond technology teams and into marketing, sales, operations, and beyond.

Agile leaders drive better collaboration and coordination across an organization, leading to higher product value, improved quality, faster delivery, and stronger employee engagement.

What Agile Leadership Entails

Agile leadership requires flexible approaches to planning, tracking, and managing work that align with diverse work portfolios. There is no one-size-fits-all method. Leaders must adapt based on their unique environment.

Effective feedback loops and a growth mindset are critical to driving agility at scale and sustaining long-term success.

Becoming an Agile Leader

The best agile leaders combine self-awareness, empathy, and a deep understanding of their business and customer environment. This enables them to apply situational leadership, adjusting their style to fit the context.

They drive lasting change by fostering self-organizing teams that take ownership, experiment, and continuously improve.

What You Get

Beyond great learning, you receive a free retake, exclusive alumni benefits, a two year Scrum Alliance membership, and more.

100% Live, Instructor-Led Training
Unlike other trainings that rely heavily on pre-recorded content, our sessions are fully live and interactive.
No Surprises
No hidden fees, no extra steps. Just a seamless certification process with everything included.
Certification Fees Included
Your certification fees are fully covered. No additional costs required.
Two-Year Scrum Alliance Membership
Receive a two year membership to the Scrum Alliance, the world's largest non-profit agile certifying body.
Two-Year Certification Renewal
Extend the validity of all your Scrum Alliance Certifications for two years with no additional fees or SEU requirements.
16 PMI Professional Development Units (PDUs)
Earn 16 PDUs from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to help fulfill your continuing education requirements.
One Free Class Retake (within 120 days)
Want to reinforce your learning? Retake the class once within a 120 days at no extra cost.
Alumni Discount Program
Take a course priced at $225+ and get 5% off your next class. Discounts increase with each additional course, up to 25% off.

Why choose our training?

A 100% Live Online Workshop That's Engaging and Effective.

Unlike other programs, this CAL 1 Workshop is fully live and led by world-class agile expert, Arlen Bankston. With decades of hands-on experience, Arlen blends real-world insights, deep discussions, and interactive learning into a dynamic, engaging experience.

What makes this training stand out?

  • Interactive & Engaging: Exercises, real-world case studies, games, short videos, and more.
  • Live Collaboration: Learn from the instructor’s insights and experienced fellow students.
  • From Theory to Action: Bridge the gap between what’s possible and what actually works in business environments.
  • Energy & Retention: Edutainment-based learning keeps you engaged and motivated.

By taking this session, you'll get:

  • Meaningful answers to real-world agile challenges.
  • Practical case studies that show agility in action.
  • Deep, interactive discussions that help you connect learning to your own work.
  • A truly enjoyable experience—because learning should be engaging, not dull.

This isn’t just another training. It’s an experience that fuels your leadership journey.

Pre-Class Reading and Videos

Maximize your learning with preparation

Pre-reading for the your Scrum Alliance Certified Agile Leader 1 training.
If you have time prior to the session, you can prepare by reviewing the free reading material and videos.
  • Start with a short read, the Agile Manifesto and the principles behind it.
  • Read the Scrum Guide. It is 13 light pages.
  • Have some more time, watch the videos on Scrum.
  • Even more time, check the Certified Agile Leader 1 specific material.

Earning Your Certification

Become a Certified Agile Leader with the CAL 1 Certification.

Certified Agile Leader 1 Logo

Successfully completing this workshop earns you the CAL 1 certification and makes you eligible to apply for CAL 2. You’ll gain the skills necessary to lead agile transformation and drive real change in your organization.

  • No additional charges. Your certification fees are fully covered.
  • No exam required. Just participate and engage in the learning.
  • Attend a minimum of 14 hours to receive certification.
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