The (mis)adventures of an agile coach
A new work day begins. I get out of bed and get ready for work. As The Hague is waking up, I find comfort in the ritual of my morning brew. A cappuccino, extra strong, becomes my companion as I await the train that takes me to Rotterdam. My wireless earbuds play the day’s anthems. … Read more
Sometimes it just clicks in your mind. When you read about a specific topic and think, “Hey! That’s me!“. A few days ago, while falling through another late-night Scrum rabbit hole, I came across the term ‘hostmanship’. After reading about it, I realized how much it reminded me of values I hold dear in both … Read more
The Scrum Master has an pivotal role in the Scrum framework, but their role is frequently misunderstood. Let me be clear: Scrum Masters are no ‘rule enforcers’. They are facilitators and coaches who guide their teams through project complexities with finesse and understanding. The stance of the “Scrum Police” highlights a misunderstanding of the Scrum … Read more
As a Scrum Master, you might wonder about self-management. Why is it important? It revolves around the simple concept of ownership. When teams take ownership, they feel responsible for the results. This sense of responsibility inspires higher levels of engagement, creativity, and productivity. Furthermore, self-management boosts the team’s morale and builds resilience. It eliminates the … Read more
As a Scrum Master and Agile Coach, I have embarked on a personal quest to deepen my understanding of effective Product Backlog management. My organization faces the challenge of a massive Product Backlog which, thankfully, has seen notable improvements in quality over the past year. However, there’s always room for growth and refinement. That’s why … Read more
In Scrum Teams, the Scrum Master plays a exciting role. But even a Scrum Master can experience moments of stagnation or boredom. So, how do you keep your profession fresh and fun? Let’s delve into my very own tried and true methods of staying sane in the Scrum realm. The Scrum Guide: an old friend … Read more
We’ve all been there. Uncomfortable silences, glaring issues that everyone knows about but no one wants to talk about, the proverbial ‘elephant in the room’. As humans, we naturally avoid conflicts. We would rather ignore the issue or get lost behind our screens, coding away, or jump into another meeting. The problem, however, continues to … Read more
Earlier this year, I did my first attempt at the PSM III exam. Sadly, I did not make it, but luckily, I now know what to expect. This is empiricism manifest, and this gives me way more confidence for my next attempt. I will not address questions and answers (as these are not known anymore … Read more
As a diligent and incisive Scrum Master, your hard work in fostering self-managing Scrum Teams has finally paid off! These teams, thriving in autonomy, show a high level of engagement which correlates with improved productivity and innovative solutions. They are responsible for their work, make crucial decisions, and resolve challenges independently. However, you may now … Read more
Servant leadership is an innovative approach that contrasts traditional leadership styles. It emphasizes empathy, listening, and placing others’ needs before one’s own. We see the importance of servant leadership, especially in Agile and the Scrum framework. In this article, I explore how managers can apply servant leadership and why it’s a vital tool in today’s … Read more
In the world of (agile) development, metrics hold a key role. They provide insight into team performance and guide improvement. However, focusing on the wrong ones can lead to undesired results. This article aims to shed light on crucial metrics, beneficial for both individuals and teams in a Scrum setting, while taking into consideration the … Read more
We humans love comfort and habit. We seek consistency, predictability, and the familiar. Comfort can provide joy, relaxation, and tranquillity. It acts as a safe haven when the world seems chaotic or dangerous. Yet, growth and comfort can’t always go hand in hand. When we get too used to comfort, we may stagnate and miss … Read more
The Scrum Master has two important roles: to remove impediments that are blocking the team’s progress, and to coach the team in becoming self-managing. While these roles may seem contradictory, they are actually complementary and interconnected. As a Scrum Master, you’re kind of like a parent to your Scrum Team. Your primary job is to … Read more
My employer announced my promotion to the company’s middle management at the beginning of this year. So, as a member of middle management, does a Scrum Master ‘manage’ others? Gunther Verheyen explains in this 2014 article that the Scrum Master role is not a management role, but rather a facilitation role. The Scrum Master is … Read more
This article is a review of “Coaching Agile Teams” by Lyssa Adkins. I have based this review on a Dutch translation of the book. “Coaching Agile Teams” by Lyssa Adkins is a well-regarded book on the subject of coaching agile teams and is recommended reading for those interested in the topic. The book provides practical … Read more