Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast

BONUS: From Output to Outcome, The Customer-Focused OKRs with Jeff Gothelf In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the world of OKRs with Jeff Gothelf, co-author of the newly released book, Who Does What By How Much? A Practical Guide to Customer-Centric OKRs. Jeff is a product management expert, author, and keynote speaker, renowned for his contributions to building better products and fostering innovation within organizations. In this episode, Jeff discusses the evolution of OKRs, their impact on teams and organizations, and how to adopt this framework effectively. The Motivation Behind the Book "We needed to change how companies approach goal-setting to focus on outcomes rather than outputs." Jeff shares the journey that led him and his co-author Josh Seiden to write this book. They began with Lean UX, a practical guide for designers that expanded into other company areas (see this podcast episode with Josh Seiden about that book). However, as they worked more with clients, they noticed a disco

Pooja Gupta: The Role of Business Knowledge in Effective Product Ownership 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: Empowering Teams with a Clear Product Vision Pooja shares an inspiring story of a Product Owner who turned a struggling team around by focusing on the product vision and applying models like SCARF and the Five Dysfunctions model. This Product Owner’s approach not only clarified the team’s goals but also empowered the team to take ownership of the product’s short and long-term success.    The Bad Product Owner: Escaping the JIRA Secretary Syndrome Pooja discusses a common anti-pattern where Product Owners become "JIRA secretaries," focusing on backlog management rather than being involved in business decisions. She explains how this lack of business knowledge can turn Product Owners into bottlenecks, hindering team progres

Pooja Gupta: From Confusion to Clarity, Aligning Agile Team Efforts with Business Goals 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. Pooja defines success for Scrum Masters through the lens of business outcomes. She stresses the importance of having clarity on business goals and helping teams align their work with these goals. Drawing from her experiences, Pooja discusses how the absence of a clear direction often leads to confusion and lack of focus. She also shares practical tips, including the importance of continuous discovery and refinement processes, and points to valuable resources like the Shape-Up methodology (also available in print from Basecamp) and Teresa Torres' work on continuous discovery.  Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Team-Designed Retrospective In this episode, Pooja shares her experiment of letting the team take over the facilitation

Pooja Gupta: The Power of Empathy in Leading Change 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, Pooja talks about the often-overlooked aspect of leading change: communication. She discusses how the real challenge in change management isn’t the change itself but how it’s communicated. By sharing a story of how two companies handled layoffs differently, Pooja illustrates the importance of empathy in communication. She provides actionable tips, including the need to normalize change, allow people to express their fears, and use models like SCARF to guide the change process. How can we better support our teams through change by focusing on empathetic communication?   [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

Pooja Gupta: Aligning Team Members With Their Strengths, The Key to Agile Team Success 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. Pooja shares the story of a team filled with competent individuals but plagued by conflict because they were not in roles that helped them express their strengths. She discusses the importance of aligning team members’ skills with the right stages of the project and introduces the Shape-Up methodology (also available in print from Basecamp) as a framework for navigating these challenges. Pooja highlights how understanding the team’s goals and using conflict management frameworks like the Grow model can lead to a more harmonious and productive team environment. What strategies can you use to align your team’s strengths with their roles and avoid destructive conflicts? Listen to find out!   Featured Book of the Week: "Reinventing Your Life"

Pooja Gupta: When Empathy Becomes a Double-Edged Sword And Why Scrum Masters Need to Learn Coaching 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. Pooja shares her journey from product development to becoming an Agile Coach, where her natural empathy became both a strength and a challenge. Reflecting on how the work environment shifted during the COVID pandemic, she reveals the struggles she faced when she found herself in a mediator role without access to the necessary resources. Pooja discusses how she fell into the trap of focusing solely on facilitating meetings and how that limited her effectiveness. Recognizing that her team was working in silos and avoiding responsibility, she took the initiative to redefine her role, learned coaching from scratch, and empowered her team to take ownership of their work. What does it take to transform a team’s mindset from dependency to

Keir Lumsden: How a Great Product Owner Shapes Team Success Through A Clear Focus 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: How a Great Product Owner Shapes Team Success Through A Clear Focus Keir discusses a positive example of a Product Owner who exemplified clarity and focus, working closely with the team to refine and prioritize the backlog. This PO understood the importance of a well-curated backlog and actively worked to remove noise, ensuring the team could work effectively towards a clear product vision. How do you foster a strong relationship between the team and the Product Owner? Keir offers insights into the traits that make a Product Owner truly great and how they can set a team up for success. The Bad Product Owner: When Too Many Ideas Derail Agile Team Progress Keir shares a story of working with a Product Owner who constantl

Keir Lumsden: Success Metrics for Scrum Masters, How to Define and Track Them 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. Keir explores the success question, offering insights on the importance of measuring progress, understanding the need for change, and ensuring that both the team and the Scrum Master are clear on their goals. Keir provides practical advice on selecting relevant measures and maintaining focus on achieving your objectives. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Circles of Influence Keir introduces the "Circles of Influence" retrospective format, designed to help teams focus on what they can control rather than dwelling on what they can't. He emphasizes the importance of choosing a retrospective format that suits the team's current needs rather than sticking to a favorite. How do you select the right retrospective format for your team? Keir share

Keir Lumsden: How to Keep Your Agile Team Focused Despite Setbacks, A Lesson In Leading Change 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. Keir details his experience with a high-performing team that was ready to launch a new product, only to have the funding pulled at the last minute. Despite the setback, the team's dedication and focus on the product goal became a model for others in the organization. How do you lead a team through change when external factors disrupt your plans? Keir shares tips on acting as if change is needed and ensuring your team remains aligned and focused, even in the face of uncertainty.   [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 cha

Keir Lumsden: When Feedback Loops Fail, And What Scrum Masters Can Do To Help Their Teams Apply Empirical Processes 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. Keir shares a story about a team struggling with a lack of empiricism, where feedback loops were missing, and progress was unclear. Despite having a bonus on the line, the team couldn’t grasp their situation. Keir used visual tools like a burn-up chart to create the necessary transparency, ultimately sparking the critical conversations that led to change. Are your sprint reviews providing the feedback your team needs? Keir shares tips on fostering transparency and ensuring teams can showcase tangible progress. Featured Book of the Week: "Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure" by Tim Harford Keir discusses "Adapt" by Tim Harford, a book that explores why success often starts with failure. Harford argues

Keir Lumsden: The Importance of Transparency in Assessing an Agile Team’s Progress 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. As a Scrum Master, your investment in your team can sometimes cloud your vision. Keir shares a story where his team, working with a new technology, struggled to make progress toward a deadline. Despite their best efforts, they realized they were focused on the wrong areas. Keir reflects on the importance of transparency and the dangers of not seeing the big picture. How do you ensure your focus is set correctly? Keir offers tips on recognizing weak signals, asking the right questions, and using a pre-mortem to explore risks before they derail your project.   [IMAGE HERE] Recovering from failure, or difficult moments is a critical skill for Scrum Masters. Not only because of us, but also because the teams, and stakeholders we work with will also

BONUS: Leadership Lessons Learned from Successful and not so Successful startups, with Martin Gonzales In this BONUS episode, Martin Gonzales, co-author of The Bonfire Moment, shares his insights on how leadership affects startup success. Drawing from his extensive experience with Google's Effective Founders Project, Martin reveals the key lessons that can help startup founders—and teams in any industry—navigate the complexities of organizational culture, leadership, and personal growth. The Bonfire Moment: Origins and Meaning "The bonfire moment is an intense opportunity for reflection—an essential pause for founders under constant pressure." Martin explains the concept behind "The Bonfire Moment," a workshop originally created within Google's accelerator program. Since its inception in 2015, this workshop has expanded globally, helping startup founders build strong teams by addressing the personal challenges and insecurities they bring into their ventures. The bonfire moment represents a c

James Gifford: Defending the Agile Team, A Product Owner's Crucial Responsibility 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: From Business Analyst to Product Visionary In this segment, James describes an exemplary Product Owner who transitioned from a business analyst role. What qualities and behaviors set this individual apart? James highlights the Product Owner's commitment to continuous learning, market understanding, and stakeholder collaboration. How did this Product Owner effectively balance customer needs with stakeholder expectations? What tip does James offer about the Product Owner's role in protecting the team? Listen in to find out! The Bad Product Owner: Avoiding Accountability in High-Stakes Environments In this segment, James shares a story of a Product Owner in a regulated medical software industry who prioritized meeting dea

James Gifford: Creating Self-Organizing Agile Teams, Tips 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. James outlines his vision of success for Scrum Masters. How does he measure a Scrum Master's effectiveness in fostering self-organization within a team? James emphasizes the importance of engineers being invested in the product and sensitive to customer needs. What specific behaviors indicate that a team has truly internalized agile principles? How can a Scrum Master's absence reveal the team's level of self-sufficiency? Listen in to find out how James measures his own success as a Scrum Master! Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Two Truths and a Lie/Wish James discusses his approach to selecting retrospective formats, emphasizing the importance of matching the format to the team's current needs. He shares his preference for combining fun for

James Gifford: Crafting Culture, A Three-Step Approach to Agile Organizational Change 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, James shares a comprehensive approach to implementing culture change in a multi-site healthcare company. They used a simple three-step process to align values across diverse locations. And implemented an ambassador program and storytelling workshops catalyze the change. James explains the use of the ADKAR model and Lean Change Management principles in this large-scale transformation. James also shares the role that gamification played in encouraging narrative-centric sharing throughout the organization.   [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 fu

James Gifford: When Autonomy Becomes Anarchy, Navigating Agile 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. James shares a story from a healthcare company formed through acquisitions. He explores what happens when team autonomy goes too far and becomes anarchy. James also describes how one team's culture shifted from a focus on quality to a lack of basic practices, leading to degrading product quality. What non-negotiables did James identify as crucial for balancing team autonomy with organizational standards? How can leadership play a role in setting appropriate constraints for autonomous teams? Listen to find out! Featured Book of the Week: "Turn the Ship Around" by David Marquet James discusses the profound impact of "Turn the Ship Around" by David Marquet on his approach to leadership development. How does this book's principles apply to creating

James Gifford: Letting Teams Own Their Challenges, A Scrum Master’s Journey 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, James shares a valuable lesson from his experience as a Scrum Master. How can being too helpful actually hinder a team's growth? James recounts a situation where his tendency to jump in and solve problems backfired when he took a two-week break. During his absence, the team struggled without his constant involvement, which taught James a valuable lesson about enabling teams to own their challenges. He reflects on the need for Scrum Masters to model the right behavior, set clear expectations, and allow teams the space to grow. James also discusses an effective approach he used when working with a doctor-turned-product manager in a healthcare setting. What tips does he offer for building trust and showing genuine care for others' success?

BONUS: Leading Without Blame, Building Resilient Teams with Tricia Broderick and Diana Larsen In this BONUS episode, leadership experts Tricia Broderick and Diana Larsen explore their latest book, Lead Without Blame, talking about how leaders can create high-performing teams without resorting to blaming. This conversation tackles the key themes from their book, and offers insights on how leaders can foster resilient, learning-focused teams. Understanding "Lead Without Blame" "Leadership isn't about finger-pointing; it's about creating an environment where learning and growth can flourish." Tricia and Diana kick off the conversation by breaking down what it means to lead without blame. They explore the impact of blame in the workplace, particularly how it stifles innovation, and erodes psychological safety. The authors stress the importance of making space for learning and acknowledge that many leaders, even unintentionally, perpetuate a culture of blame. "To lead without blame, focus on building

Sofi Simonyan: How Product Owner Self-organization Directly Affects Agile Team Success 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: Empowering Teams Through Effective PO Leadership In this segment, we learn about a PO that possessed market knowledge, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills. This PO's leadership and ability to empower the team highlight the critical role of Product Owners in driving product success and team collaboration. The Bad Product Owner: The Disorganized Product Owner, and the Chaos That Follows In this segment, Sofi shares the story of a disorganized Product Owner whose lack of preparation and messy backlog management negatively impacted the team. She discusses the importance of collaboration, timely preparation, and efficient time management to avoid such pitfalls.   [IMAGE HERE] Are you having trouble he

Sofi Simonyan: Growing Healthy Agile Teams with a Simple Scrum Master Success Assessment 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, Sofi highlights how important it is to pay attention to moments when team members independently adhere to agreements, prioritize customer needs, and suggest improvements. She shares a KPI framework developed to measure Scrum Master effectiveness through team feedback, emphasizing the value of transparency and personal development. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: The Speedcar Retrospective Sofi's favorite retrospective format, The Speedcar Retrospective (similar to the speedboat retro), uses a simple yet effective race car image to identify what slows the team down and what drives them forward. She emphasizes the importance of varying retro formats and adapting them to the team's needs, making retrospectives e