Agile teams are only as strong as the Scrum Masters (or Agile Coaches) develop them. You might be wondering how you can become a better Scrum Master. Here is some practical food for thought and tips that will help you become not just a good Scrum Master, but the best Scrum Master you can be – including some key Scrum Master traits and of course what a Scrum Master should not do.
How to be a better Scrum Master | Good Scrum Master Traits
5 Responsibilities & metrics for Scrum Masters: tips
Structure your work: How to become the best Scrum Master
How to be a better Scrum Master | Good Scrum Master Traits
What makes a good Scrum Master?
Now that we've heard a few tips, what makes a good Scrum Master or Agile Coach?
A good Scrum Master is therefore not only a facilitator of meetings, but also a catalyst for continuous improvement by making their work measurable. The targeted optimization of the 5 areas mentioned above professionalizes the work of a Scrum Master – the management level will be impressed!
The agile manifesto emphasizes collaboration and individual interaction – and that is exactly what is expressed in these five areas.
You can make them measurable through team surveys, burndown charts in Jira, for example, or through qualitative means such as the results of retrospectives.
How to be a better Scrum Master | Good Scrum Master Traits
What does a Scrum Master not do?
A Scrum Master is not a project manager. His task is not to give instructions, but to enable the team to act in a self-organized manner. Avoid taking over decisions – instead, support the team in finding solutions on their own responsibility. The agile manifesto emphasizes the self-organization of teams as a decisive factor for project success. That is the simple answer to the question "what does a Scrum Master not do".
How to be a better Scrum Master | Good Scrum Master Traits
Effective Scrum Master Traits
For effective Scrum Master performance, a number of particularly effective key traits are essential: for example, structure, empathy, communication skills, flexibility and proactivity. Agile's project management requires a keen sense of team needs, clear communication, the ability to adapt and proactivity to respond to change early. To give you a brief overview in the form of a list:
Empathy: Feeling and understanding what is going on in the team in order to be able to provide targeted support.
Communication skills: Clear and effective communication to avoid misunderstandings and promote team collaboration.
Flexibility: Adaptability to changing requirements and quick decision-making.
Assertiveness: The ability to overcome obstacles and successfully drive change.
Proactivity: Early detection of problems and proactive action to minimize potential risks.
Service orientation: The focus is on the team, the Scrum Master serves the team and supports it in achieving its goals.
Conflict resolution skills: Competent and diplomatic resolution of conflicts within the team.
Confidence building: Creating a trusting environment that has a positive influence on team dynamics.
Organizational talent: Efficient planning and structuring of workflows in an agile context.
Coaching skills: Promoting self-organization and individual strengths in the team through targeted coaching.
How to be a better Scrum Master | Good Scrum Master Traits
Become a better Scrum Master: Tools
"A fool with a tool is still a fool" is a common saying. There is a lot to be said for that –, but if the tool is very well developed, then it will most likely have a very positive effect.
This brings me to Echometer, which is very well suited to making you a better Scrum Master, if not the best Scrum Master. If you are serious, Echometer is a game changer.
Echometer is a digital tool that helps agile team leads with agile retrospectives and team Health Checks. Whether remote, hybrid or on-site: it makes team coaching measurable and professionalizes your work while saving you a lot of work. Just take a look at our website to find out more: www.echometerapp.com.
"Many Scrum Masters don't understand the perspective of the Product Owner or management. If you want to become a better Scrum Master, deal with it!"
How to be a better Scrum Master | Good Scrum Master Traits
Conclusion - A better Scrum Master
Finally, another quick hint: If you would like to know how it feels to develop your team with our tool: You can start an agile retrospective below without logging in, in this case the "Keep, Stop, Start" workshop.
Alternatively, simply forward our website to the responsible colleagues: www.echometerapp.com.
