It’s funny, As a scrum masters’ blog, you would expect to see more posts about scrum or agile.

So why don’t I write more about scrum as the framework? Well, for me, what counts is the overall goal of delivering business value, the essence of it all AND what that TRULY means. There are so many blogs about scrum, how to write the best user story, how to hold your ceremonies, how to do this, how to do that… and they all have tremendous value, but, in the spirit of eliminating waste… why would I write about them? What is it that I have to offer in the world of agile? It’s not how to write the best user story… it’s about the underlying gems in Agile, the true spirit of it, or at least, my interpretation.

More than anything, I work with people. Whether you want to view it from a pure emotionless old fashioned economical view (your resources) or from a more respectful view, your team, bottom line is, these people create your business value. And how they connect, how they operate, how they feel, that is what will determine the true success of your project.

Late 19th century management thought they had it covered by punishment, cruelty and basically instilling fear, so that people would work harder. The ‘power trip’. Over the years, this style is (extremely slowly) making way for a more nurturing, respectful approach where we assume people actually want to work hard and need encouragement and help, instead of reprimanding. 

Agile works based on that point of view.

And… it works. It makes perfect sense too, as instilled within every human being ( except some edge cases) is the need for connection, belonging. So we want to work to please. In most companies (expect the ones that still rule with an iron fist – sometimes with a velvet glove to cover it up) that basic drive is there. The next one that is needed, is the ability to show reality. Use courage ( from the latin: speak from the heart) to say it like it is, as you know you work in an environment where you are safe and together with your team you are working on the same goal.

Linked with that, is also the courage of being vulnerable, of knowing that you are doing the best you can and that that is enough. So no need to work yourself in to the ground, as you are here to run a marathon, not a sprint 😉

Now, look a what I just wrote, look at the ‘powers’ every individual in the team ( and outside of the team) needs:

– trust, courage, vulnerability, openness, communication, honesty, sensitivity,…

Some people go a whole life time without even understanding the concepts and the true power of these qualities. Scrum offers a framework to work on these basic principles, but more is needed, and for me, that is where a really good scrum master offers most value, in working on getting the best out of every individual in the team, so they can become a truly highly efficient team.

That is where the positivity project fits in, a project at work where we are analysing if there are certain techniques out there that can improve positivity. To improve positivity, understanding and practising vulnerability, sensitivity, communication, honesty, trust, courage are the basics!

Yours truly,

Brigitte