Self-organization, self-management: what’s the tea?

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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 to deliver on the set goals. Note that the ‘why’ and overall direction, however, still come from elsewhere.

Self-management, on the other hand, cranks the autonomy up a notch. Teams decide not just on the execution but also on what goals to chase, while fully owning their objectives. It’s a shift that hands over the reins entirely.

These ideas sprouted from the crumbling effectiveness of rigid, top-down Taylorist approaches, where management, in the name of efficiency, dissected tasks down to every last detail. In the face of today’s fast-moving, knowledge-driven workspaces, micromanagement simply is not cutting it anymore. This shift aligns with Agile principles that emphasize the importance of empowering motivated individuals and promoting collaboration over strict processes​.

Scrum empowers autonomy

Scrum puts self-management front and centre, embedding it as a non-negotiable. Scrum Teams are trusted to steer their own course, picking their tasks, methods, and roles with no need for a guiding hand. This creates an atmosphere rich with creativity, accountability, and innovation.

Self-organizing, self-managing: what's the tea?
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash

The 2020 revision of the Scrum Guide doubled down on this, switching “self-organizing” with “self-managing”, setting the bar higher for autonomy. Scrum’s emphasis on the empirical pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation further supports self-managing teams by allowing them to frequently evaluate and adjust their approach to maximize value​.

Order, not chaos!

A common pitfall, especially for those steeped in traditional management mindsets, is the belief that self-management is a recipe for chaos.

Their fear is that teams are left to their own devices will flounder, underdeliver, or lose sight of the company’s broader objectives. But this comes from a deep-seated lack of trust and an overreliance on command-and-control. Organizations must recognize that the benefits of self-management are realized when combined with clear goals, accountability structures, and a focus on continuous improvement.

In reality, self-management is not at all about running wild, but all the more about having freedom within structure. Clear goals like the Product and Sprint Goals provide direction, while ceremonies like Sprint Reviews and Retrospectives ensure alignment and accountability.

Bridging the trust gap requires showing skeptical management evidence of self-management’s merits: case studies, incremental changes, and a steady shift towards empowerment (over oversight). Scrum helps mitigate these fears by emphasizing iterative delivery, regular feedback loops, and transparent communication, which collectively build trust in the team’s ability to self-manage effectively.

Guiding teams towards change

Agile coaches cultivate environments where teams feel safe to experiment, speak up, and challenge the norm. Their role is about clearing the roadblocks: boosting confidence, encouraging learning, and spotlighting successes. The agile coach works closely with their colleagues to help teams develop the skills necessary for self-management, such as conflict resolution, decision-making, and accountability​.

Agile coaches also serve as the bridge between conventional managers and new Agile ways. They guide leaders to pivot from controlling to supporting, reinforcing that their role isn’t to dictate but to empower. This transformation requires time, patience, and a willingness to embrace new ways of thinking, which can be nurtured through targeted coaching, workshops, and real-world success stories that highlight the power of self-management.

Shifting from command to empowerment

The bad news is that transitioning to self-management, especially in entrenched traditional hierarchies, is a slow pivot. Success hinges on clear communication, patience, and the unwavering support from organizational leadership. Managers must reframe their role, evolving from command-and-control, to coaches and enablers who inspire rather than dictate. This shift involves redefining metrics of success, moving away from traditional measures like task completion and towards value delivery, team collaboration, and continuous learning.

Agile leaders lead by doing, while embodying the very principles they preach. They should foster openness, cheer on collaboration, and let teams make and own their decisions. Leadership commitment to these principles is crucial; without it, attempts at self-management can easily revert to old patterns of command-and-control.

Conclusion

Self-management and self-organization are cornerstones of thriving Agile environments. Though the shift away from traditional management styles can feel like uncharted waters, it’s a necessary evolution in today’s complex work landscape. Agile coaches and agile leaders stand at the forefront of this change, guiding teams to embrace autonomy and take full ownership of their paths.

With self-management, organizations tap into the full potential of their employees, sparking innovation and resilience in ways that top-down structures simply can’t match. Ultimately, the commitment to fostering a culture of self-management is what distinguishes high-performing, adaptable organizations in our modern era.

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