Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast

Joe Scherler: Curiosity and Collaboration, Critical Product Owner Traits That Scrum Masters Can Help Cultivate Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: The Absent, and Team-Neglecting PO In this episode, Joe talks about what teams face when Product Owners are seldom available. In this story, we hear about how that anti-pattern lead to disorganized meetings and neglected team interactions. This lack of engagement not only strained the team's dynamics but also skewed the product backlog toward the interests of a single stakeholder. How does an absent Product Owner affect the team and product development? Joe reflects on the importance of the Product Owner's role in retrospectives, the collaborative potential in backlog refinement, and the broader issues within the product organization. Learn from Joe's insights on supporting a Product Owner and

Joe Scherler: The Self-Driving Team, Signs of a Self-Sufficient Scrum Team Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, we discuss how important it is to help a team evolve to the point where they no longer need direct guidance. But what are the signs of such a transformation? This episode explores possible indicators of a team's growing autonomy, from self-initiated process improvements to a shift from seeking solutions to seeking opinions. How can discussing value over output and engaging with the team on waste reduction contribute to this evolution? Discover the key questions and approaches Joe recommends for Scrum Masters aiming to foster truly self-sustaining teams. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: A Dialogue-Based Timeline In this segment, Joe introduces a reflective and dialogue-rich retrospective format that begins with understanding

Joe Scherler: From Chapter Leads to Champions, Value Over Velocity in Scaled Agile Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Joe shares his experience with implementing the Spotify model across several small, agile teams. Confronting the complexities of entrenched roles and slow decision-making, Joe explains how he tried to empower teams through delegation and a focus on value over output. How can challenging traditional reporting structures and coaching leaders on delegation unlock a team's full potential? Discover the transformative power of discussing team results in terms of value and fostering a collaborative environment where every team member is a catalyst for innovation.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change

Joe Scherler: Agile Scaling Challenges, Fostering Empowered Decision-Making in Fast-Growth Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this segment, Joe shares an enlightening story about a team of technical leads facing the challenges of rapid organizational growth without a scaling framework, leading to disempowered teams. How does hierarchical decision-making erode team initiative and communication? Learn about the emotional toll on teams, the dangers of a victim mentality, and practical tips for reinvigorating team autonomy and accountability, including the use of delegation poker. What steps can you take to descale an organization and foster a culture of empowered decision-making? Featured Book of the Week: Radical Candor by Kim Scott In this segment, we discuss some of the profound lessons of "Radical Candor" as recommended by a visionary leader Joe work

Joe Scherler: Middle Management Maze, Joe's Scrum Master Journey Through Organizational Conflict Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Joe shares his story of navigating through a high-stakes environment at a rapidly expanding organization, revealing the challenges of being caught between management demands and team expectations. How does one facilitate positive change when faced with resistance from above? Joe's story unfolds with rough (aka violent) communication between team members and a manager viewing him merely as a servant, leading to a significant toll on his mental health. Discover Joe's insights on the limitations of a Scrum Master's impact, the pitfalls of hierarchical rigidity, and the crucial tips for Scrum Masters facing similar trials. What strategies does Joe propose for engaging with resistant management to foster sustainable change

Lynn Runnels-Moss: Story Mapping to Success And The Role of the Product Owner in Team Dynamics Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: Story Mapping to Success And The Role of the Product Owner in Team Dynamics This episode showcases how deep engagement with problems, stakeholders, and the development team can lead to remarkable outcomes. Learn about the power of story mapping, immediate feedback, and creating a shared vision for the project. This example serves as an inspiration for Product Owners aiming to elevate their impact and foster a collaborative, productive team environment. The Bad Product Owner: The Disengaged Product Owner Lynn recounts her challenging experience with an inexperienced and disengaged Product Owner at a travel company, highlighting the detrimental impact on team morale and productivity. This episode offers insi

Lynn Runnels-Moss: Value Delivery and Team Happiness, A Possible Scrum Master Success Definition Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, we talk about the Scrum Master’s ability to deliver value to the customer and ensure a happy, cohesive team. This episode highlights the importance of psychological safety, continuous stakeholder collaboration, and the Scrum Master's role in fostering team connections. Discover strategies for aligning team efforts with user needs and stakeholder expectations, emphasizing the use of collaborative techniques to unite everyone towards a common goal. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: A Thinking Environment Retrospective Inspired by Nancy Kline's work and Nancy’s book “Time to Think”, Lynn introduces a retrospective format focused on deep, uninterrupted thinking. Discover how creating a space where team mem

Lynn Runnels-Moss: Navigating Toxic Environments, A Guide for Scrum Masters Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, we hear a story when Lynn was working within a large, multi-company project, highlighting the destructive impact of traditional management styles in agile environments. This episode explores the importance of respecting your boundaries and the power of walking away from toxic situations. Learn from Lynn's approach to using shared adversity as a motivator and the significance of choosing the right organizational culture that aligns with your values and boundaries.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change? The Lean Change Management framework is a fully defined, lean-startup inspired change framework tha

Lynn Runnels-Moss: Challenging Success, Pushing High Performing Agile Teams Beyond Complacency Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Lynn shares the nuanced challenge of leading a high-performing team into continuous improvement when complacency sets in. She shares insights on recognizing the signs of stagnation and the critical role of challenging the team with new, uncomfortable tasks to foster growth. This episode unpacks the dangers of the "don't break it" mentality and offers strategies for injecting innovation and learning into successful teams to prevent key members from seeking challenges elsewhere. Featured Book of the Week: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg Explore the transformative power of Marshall B. Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication" as Lynn shares how it reshaped her approach to confrontational communication,

Lynn Runnels-Moss: The Art of Psychological Safety in Agile Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, we talk about one of Lynn's pivotal experiences early in her career. A team was moving to Kanban from Scrum, and this transition taught her a crucial lesson about psychological safety within teams. One of the team members was fascinated by Agile methodologies. In that excitement, the team fell into some misunderstandings which revealed the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for open communication. Learn how simple practices like check-ins and demonstrating allyship can transform team dynamics, fostering a space where every member feels valued, heard, and supported. Dive into this episode for insights on the subtle art of leadership and team management.   [IMAGE HERE] Recovering from failure, or difficult moments is a criti

BONUS: The Agile-Product Continuum: Phillip Starke's Blueprint for Coaching Excellence This episode was triggered by Phillip Starke’s blog post titled “Why agile coaches should strive to be product coaches”. You can read that blog post here, and listen in this episode to Phillip’s perspective and why he reached those conclusions.  Agile to Product Coaching Transformation "Agile Coaches are already product coaches in essence, they just need to realize and embrace it fully." Phillip reflects on why agile coaches should also consider themselves product coaches. He argues for a unified approach to coaching that encompasses both agile and product development principles. A Pivot Towards Product-Centric Coaching "I had a turning point when I realized, despite our success, how much more impactful we could have been with a stronger focus on user interaction and discovery." Phillip shares his experience transitioning from an agile-focused to a product-centric coaching approach, highlighting a project

Inga Bergmann: Empathy in Action, How Great Product Owners Help Their Agile Teams Succeed Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: Empathy in Action, How Great PO’s Help Their Agile Teams Succeed This episode shines a spotlight on a Product Owner whose empathy and people-centric approach set a gold standard for the role. Inga emphasizes how caring, empathy, and effective communication can elevate team creativity and bonding. Through this inspiring story, listeners will discover the transformative power of a Product Owner in harmonizing team dynamics and fostering an environment where people and projects thrive together. The Bad Product Owner: The Trust Divide, When Product Owners Destroy Trust in Their Interactions With Agile Teams This Product Owner constantly undermined team estimates. We take that example of a PO anti-pattern as the sto

Inga Bergmann: The Art of Being Present: Scrum Mastery in Remote Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Inga explores the essence of a Scrum Master's success through personal anecdotes and practical tips. Success, as she depicts, is deeply rooted in trust, respect, and the ability to foster open communication. From remote work challenges to the subtleties of body language in meetings, this episode sheds light on the indicators of effective Scrum Mastering and the impact of genuine connections within teams. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: SWOT Analysis Inga shares how to use the SWOT Analysis concept in an Agile retrospective, and it can help teams struggling with identity and direction. We discuss how the SWOT format can unearth underlying team dynamics, foster self-awareness, and guide teams towards a cohesive identity and purpose. Inga’s narrat

Inga Bergmann: The Power of Conversation in Leading Change, A Story Of Transformation For An Engineering Organization Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Inga shares the challenges of leading systemic changes within a growing company. From organizing leadership workshops to defining a shared product vision, Inga shares the tools, tips, and techniques that facilitated a smoother transition for the engineering department. This episode shares several insights on creating a shared direction, embracing ambiguity, and fostering open conversations, proving that conversation itself is a catalyst for change.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change? The Lean Change Management framework is a fully defined, lean-startup in

Inga Bergmann: Building Stronger Teams Through Conversation, And Addressing Conflicts and Tensions Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, we explore how teams create problems when they do not address the unspoken conflict. Inga emphasizes the critical importance of voicing concerns and the dangers of silence within team dynamics. We talk about through the nuances of team communication, the consequences of unspoken tensions, and offer strategies to encourage openness and growth. Inga’s insights offer a roadmap to fostering a culture of transparency and mutual understanding in teams. If you like this episode, you will also like this episode on Tension Meetings with Sara Clark.  Featured Book of the Week: Agile Retrospectives by Derby and Larsen Discover how the book "Agile Retrospectives" became a cornerstone for Inga’s journey as a Scrum Mast

Inga Bergmann: Behind Closed Screens, Creating Team Spirit In Remote Teams, The Do’s and Don’ts Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Inga shares a poignant story of intervention with a team fraught with tension and disconnection, despite her efforts to forge emotional bonds and navigate through recent changes. In a remote setup, her attempts to engage team members fell short, leading to a reflective journey on the essence of listening, understanding, and genuinely addressing a team's needs. Inga’s candid admission of her approach, coupled with invaluable tips on starting with listening and aiming to help achieve desired outcomes, makes for a compelling narrative on the complexities of teamwork and the path to improvement.   [IMAGE HERE] Recovering from failure, or difficult moments is a critical skill for Scrum Masters. Not only because of us, bu

Dave Smith: The Culture Clash, Ownership vs. Approval, a Key Difference That Affects PO’s Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: Openness and Decision-Making, Critical PO skills A great Product Owner embodies availability, openness to change, and a genuine interest in the product's success. How does a great PO foster innovation and take decisive action for the betterment of the product? Listen to this episode, to learn from this exemplary PO. The Bad Product Owner: The Culture Clash, Ownership vs. Approval, a Key Difference That Affects PO’s In this episode, we talk about a Product owner that lacked ownership. We explore how we can prepare those PO’s and use coaching as a method to help them succeed despite the initial lack of ownership. We also discuss a culture that undermines ownership can stifle innovation and growth. What are the un

Dave Smith: The Nanny McPhee Approach in Fostering Scrum Team Independence Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, we discuss the Nanny McPhee approach to Scrum Mastery, where the ultimate goal is for teams to become independent and capable. Dave challenges the notion of necessity versus want in the context of a Scrum Master's presence. And we explore how to foster independence in Scrum teams. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: 6 Thinking Hats   Dave shares his preference for the 6 Thinking Hats format to structure discussions during retrospectives, emphasizing the shift from problems to solutions. In this discussion we explore bringing in different perspectives to enhance the process improvement journey.   [IMAGE HERE] Retrospectives, planning sessions, vision workshops, we are continuously helping teams learn about how to collaborat

Dave Smith: Democratizing Leadership, Cultivating a Culture of Openness and Improvement in Open Source Agile Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "Leadership is not about titles, it's about action." Dave's story on change leadership dismantles the myth of hierarchical leadership, advocating for a culture where anyone can step up. By introducing version control in a volunteer group riddled with anti-patterns, Dave demonstrates how leading by example and involving stakeholders in change processes can foster a positive approach to code quality and project management. Learn how creating psychological safety and inviting feedback can turn the most ardent resisters into advocates for change.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with chang

Dave Smith: Agile Adoption, How To Break Through Scrum Skepticism Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Dave talks about the importance of team-designed processes and shares a story from a local government group in the UK. Facing skepticism and pessimism within the team, Dave illustrates the transformative power of looking for the positive impacts of change, and Agile methodologies. Dave shares how embracing Scrum from all levels can lead to significant organizational change and why questioning what holds you back could be the key to your team's success. Featured Book of the Week: Essential Scrum by Kenneth S. Rubin Dave recommends "Essential Scrum" by Kenneth S. Rubin, a treasure trove of learning and anecdotes that will enrich your understanding of Scrum. Dave shares some of the book's insights on the importance of team-designed processes   [