I think a lot of the time we should learn from good/successful OSS projects

- Have clear rules about code quality, how to get code in, enforce rigorously

- Have open, written discussions about what is going to happen next (Agile can do this, most of us take the lazy option)

- discuss ad nauseum

- try out new things - lots of spikes. The spike to new code ratio for a mature product should be large

- then and only then worry about the way you fit into politics and people