The (mis)adventures of an agile coach
Scrum Masters often find themselves caught between two imperatives: upholding the Scrum framework to the letter and ensuring their team delivers value under real-world conditions. The Scrum Guide presents Scrum as an immutable framework – any omission or alteration means “the result is not Scrum”. In practice, however, strict adherence can sometimes clash with on-the-ground needs. Read more
This year has been, yet again, a wealth of lessons and discoveries. Every step forward seemed to reveal a new set of opportunities. Every turn offered something new—an endless stream of ideas, insights, and perspectives that kept my learning journey seem limitless. The year began with an investigation into integrating Scrum and Kanban—a combination of … Read more
In Scrum Teams, the Scrum Master often becomes the team’s cornerstone. While they do ensure the implementation and adherence to Agile frameworks, their true impact comes from the subtle, human skills they contribute. It’s these vital soft skills—often unseen yet deeply felt—that inspire collaboration and build resilience in self-organising teams. This blog post explores the … Read more
Transparency is one of the bedrocks of Scrum. It builds trust, sparks collaboration, and fuels continuous improvement by keeping everyone aligned. But like any potent tool, transparency must be handled wisely. Too much openness can backfire, leading to micromanagement, misinterpretation, and a shaky sense of psychological safety within teams. This blogpost digs into the advantages … Read more
What feelings do you experience when hearing the phrase “I don’t know”? Today, the world seems to demand instant answers from everyone. Especially those in positions of authority, like politicians, who are expected to look confident and decisive no matter what. But this expectation can feel suffocating. It builds an illusion of certainty in an … Read more
Every day, I work with teams to sharpen how they collaborate, create real value, and adapt to whatever comes next. And I do it with confidence and conviction. Yet, at times, the mind behind the confident smile wavers. Factually, I should feel confident—I have the years of experience, the certifications, and the feedback from peers … Read more
Looks like I’m a bit behind the curve, finding this book a good six years after it first came out. But hey, better late than never! In my quest to discover more on hostmanship, I have decided to read a wide range of literature related to this topic. In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker … Read more
At the heart of Agile, and especially Scrum, lies the dynamic duo of self-organization and self-management, each painting a different shade of team autonomy. You have probably heard of them. I have used the terminology, often interchangably. A quick reminder: Self-organization is about teams owning the ‘how’ of the work: figuring out the best ways … Read more
Back in June, I had a chance to dive into the beta version of the Professional Product Discovery and Validation (PPDV) course. This experience centered around learning in cycles, making decisions grounded in real-world evidence, and staying laser-focused on customer needs—principles that resonate with the growing trend of product thinking, which is capturing the attention … Read more
In the fast-paced world of Agile, whether you’re a Scrum Master or an Agile Coach, certain traits are crucial to cultivating a high-performing, adaptable team. It’s about being proactive, staying alert, and constantly expanding your knowledge. But here’s the kicker! Don’t overlook the importance of balance in your own life. Carving out time for yourself, … Read more
Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairytale ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes‘ has always been one of my favourite fairytales. Even now, as a grown-up, it continues to capture my imagination and resonates within my professional life. The most striking scene from the fairytale involves a deceived emperor strutting around in ‘invisible’ clothing, with his subjects nodding and … Read more
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Or, as the Dutch say: tall trees tend to catch a lot of wind. Scrum, being widely embraced, often faces scrutiny and satire. One such humorous critique is the video “SCRUM: An Honest Ad” by Null Labs. This blog post I will dissect the video’s exaggerated claims … Read more
Agile coaching is more than wielding methodologies or driving change. It is a role steeped in layers of skill, responsibility, and ethical mindfulness. Agile environments, with their inherent twists and turns, demand more than just technical knowhow. They call for a strong ethical compass, a ‘true north’ to keep decisions in line with both the … Read more
In order to communicate effectively, it is sometimes necessary to adapt to your audience. Memes are always the go-to message for members of the Millennial and Gen Z generations. Do you want to see some of my favourite memes related to Scrum? Let us take a look in my ‘Scrum memes’ folder! First up, the … Read more
I really love my role as a Scrum Master and Agile Coach, though it sometimes packs a punch of surprises. Somehow, I’ve become the go-to virtuoso on Scrum among friends and colleagues. While it might sound grand, it is a mixed blessing. Picture me at a friend’s birthday party, devouring a slice of carrot cake. … Read more