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This week, Dan Neumann is joined by two fellow AgileThought colleagues \\u2014 Sam Falco, a Principal Trainer, and M.C. Moore, a Team Agile Coach.

Together, they explore the topic of Scrum mastery \\u2014 specifically, being a Scrum Master new into an organization. There\\u2019s a lot of excitement \\u2014 but also many potential pitfalls \\u2014 that come with entering a new group as a Scrum Master. And as someone who joined AgileThought just six months ago, M.C. Moore, in particular, has a lot of experience in this area! He shares his top tips on what to do as you enter a new organization to build trust and vulnerability, how to break the ice with a new team, how to navigate the challenges that come along with entering a new organization that may be doing Scrum differently than you\\u2019re used to, and more.

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Be sure to tune in as M.C., Sam, and Dan offer their insights on what to do when you enter a new company (that you won\\u2019t find in the Scrum guide!)

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Key Takeaways

Tips for a Scrum Master that is entering a new organization:

Start by listening (we all have preconceived notions but it is key to first listen)

Be open to changes and be ready for a journey

Set expectations and prep for change

Have an openness to learn and hear from the team (especially with their \\u201cwhys\\u201d)

It is important to get feedback from a team when you step into a new culture

It is also key to share (ideas: share a mind map about you, hold an AMA session, etc.)

Hold fun/game events (helps break the ice and brings teams together) \\u2014 anything that brings the teams closer and have them see that you\\u2019re human too are great in helping you all work toward the same goal/s

\\u201cIf you\\u2019re not having fun in the team, there\\u2019s a problem somewhere.\\u201d \\u2014 Dan Neumann

Show vulnerability \\u2014 vulnerability is a huge component of trust, and trust is the foundation of healthy conflict (if you don\\u2019t have healthy conflict, you just have conflict)

Reach out to get to know who they are; show a genuine interest and ask about themselves

Tips for a Scrum Master that is new into an organization that is doing Scrum differently than what they\\u2019re used to:

Pick and choose your \\u201cbattles\\u201d

Ask \\u201cwhy\\u201d and counter with your \\u201cwhy\\u201d for those that have only learned Scrum halfway (\\u201cIs this working for you?\\u201d, \\u201cAre you getting value out of this?\\u201d, \\u201cOr what value do you expect to be getting out of this?\\u201d)

You need to crawl before you walk (oftentimes, people end up putting themselves in a bad spot because they see areas for opportunities and try to take on too much, too quickly, which creates resistance)

Start with (if possible) at least a couple of hours going over the Scrum framework and the \\u201cwhys\\u201d of it so that the team/s understand

If you are not able to start with the above statement, teach as you go (it\\u2019s important to take pauses and go through the fundamentals rather than rush everyone through and overwhelm the team/s)

The most successful team start-ups start with the person who would eventually become the Product Owner saying, \\u201cWe\\u2019re not delivering, would Scrum work? Can you come talk to my team?\\u201d Blocking off the entire afternoon, and inviting everyone (including stakeholders) so that everyone is on the same page

Tips for Scrum Masters around lifelong learning VS. learning Scrum once:

Lifelong/continuous learning is crucial, especially in a setting where you\\u2019re moving from one organization to another

Continuous learning provides you with that \\u201creset\\u201d when you entire into a new organization because you\\u2019re always staying current with industry knowledge

It\\u2019s easy to become comfortable if you\\u2019ve worked with your current company for a while but it is part of your evolution to progress forward and stay current

Read books and stay inspired

Go outside your four walls (such as attending virtual meetups or joining a Scrum Masters Guild) \\u2014 the infusion of external ideas into your organization is invaluable

Differences in being a Scrum Master new to an organization working in a scaled environment vs. a not-scaled environment:

Many differences are organizational in nature

Working with a standalone Scrum team you\\u2019ll have a bit more flexibility to do things differently

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Mentioned in this Episode:

M.C. Moore\\u2019s LinkedIn

Sam Falco\\u2019s LinkedIn

Agile Coaches\\u2019 Corner Ep. 115: \\u201cScrum Mastership: Patterns and Practices vs. Principles\\u201d

Tampa Bay Scrum Masters Guild

SAFe

Esther Derby

A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler, by Lynell George

Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for ScrumMasters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition, by Adkins Lyssa

Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation, by Blake J. Harris

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