The (mis)adventures of an agile coach
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
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
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
Have you ever cooked dinner for a date without knowing their culinary preferences? Imagine cooking an exquisite roast… only to find out your date is vegan. Traditional project management frequently feels like this: focused on finishing tasks rather than knowing what actually satisfies the end user. This is where product thinking comes in. It’s like … Read more
The third and final day of the Online Scrum Master Summit 2024 built on the momentum of the preceding (day one, day two) days, presenting thought-provoking sessions and insightful discussions. Each workshop provided a deep exploration into the evolving Agile landscape. By attending Thursday’s eight (!) sessions, I gained novel insights on Agile autonomy challenges, … Read more
Building on the success of the first day, the second day of the Online Scrum Master Summit 2024 featured thought-provoking sessions and insights. Attending the day’s eight (!) sessions immersed me in topics ranging from mental health and team dynamics to the use of AI in Agile practices. So join me again as I recount … Read more
While scrolling through LinkedIn, I came across the Online Scrum Master Summit, which instantly piqued my interest. The summit has a broad roster of speakers from across the world, each providing unique views and practical guidance. The large number of interesting subjects and speakers prompted me to cover each day of the summit. This blog post … Read more
As a Scrum Master, I’ve always been devoted to encouraging teamwork and positive interactions among team members. Over the years it’s become clear to me that mastering facilitation skills is essential for improving team dynamics and problem solving. Personally, I considered my facilitation skills to be “okay-ish.” I’ve often looked up to other professionals and … Read more
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
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