Erik's Scrum Journey

Leadership

What do you do as a Scrum Master when servant leadership no longer gets you anywhere?

There’s a deeply underestimated aspect of the Scrum Master’s role — that of the Domain Leader. Alongside the Servant Leader, it’s one of Scrum’s essential leadership modes — only this one plays offense.

When Servant Leadership Reaches Its Limits

The Domain Leader ensures that the ethical fabric of discussion within — and around — the Scrum Team stays intact.

If, for example, there are recurring problems with disruptive personalities — or even outright saboteurs — this leadership stance steps in. It may mean temporarily excluding people from events or setting clear behavioral conditions that are defined and agreed upon within the team’s domain.

At times, it can even mean removing someone from the team altogether.

As a practical tool, I often use Team Agreements — documents that define shared expectations and, importantly, include the possibility of consequences when those agreements are violated.

Leadership, after all, isn’t just about serving others. Sometimes it’s about protecting the field so the team can grow.

#Scrum #ScrumMaster #Leadership

Find me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehauth/ Mastodon: norden.social/@ring2

Me: As a Senior Scrum Master, I lead agile teams to deliver innovative and user-centric digital products and services for the media industry. With over 25 years of work experience in various roles and sectors, I have developed a diverse and versatile skill set that includes Scrumban, Scrum, Facilitation, Product Management, and Project Leadership.

I hold a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) credential from Scrum Alliance and a Facilitator badge. I also write as a columnist for ZEIT ONLINE, sharing my insights and perspectives on topics such as digital transformation, innovation, and culture.

I often describe the work of a Scrum Master with the image of a gardener—or a farmer. It fits perfectly, really. As with every true leadership role, it’s less about control and more about cultivation.

The Best Leaders Think Like Farmers 👩‍🌾

(7 practices to help you do the same)

1) Don’t yell at the plants → Lead with understanding, not pressure.

2) Don’t blame the plants → Recognize effort and support growth.

3) Don’t pull the plants out by the roots → Be patient. Let progress unfold in its own rhythm.

4) Match the right plants to the right soil → Pair people thoughtfully with challenges, and embrace diversity.

5) Water and nourish → Invest in development, and praise generously.

6) Pull the weeds → Confront negativity—and remove toxicity before it spreads.

7) Remember: there are seasons—good and bad → Anticipate change, and prepare your people for it.

A heartfelt nod to Eric Partaker for these timeless insights.

Start planting the seeds of success today. Leadership may seem complex, but often it’s the simple, steady practices that make all the difference.

(via LinkedIn)

#Leadership #Scrum #ScrumMaster

Find me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehauth/ Mastodon: norden.social/@ring2

Me: As a Senior Scrum Master, I lead agile teams to deliver innovative and user-centric digital products and services for the media industry. With over 25 years of work experience in various roles and sectors, I have developed a diverse and versatile skill set that includes Scrumban, Scrum, Facilitation, Product Management, and Project Leadership.

I hold a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) credential from Scrum Alliance and a Facilitator badge. I also write as a columnist for ZEIT ONLINE, sharing my insights and perspectives on topics such as digital transformation, innovation, and culture.

Scrum Master sind “Farmer”

Ich beschreibe die Tätigkeiten eines Scum Masters ja auch gerne mit dem Bild des Gärtners oder Farmers. Und es passt gut, wie für alle Führungsrollen ...

***

Die besten Führungskräfte denken wie Farmer 👩‍🌾

(7 Praktiken, die Ihnen helfen, dasselbe zu tun):

1) Brüllen Sie die Pflanzen nicht an –> Verstehe und führe ohne Druck

2) Geben Sie den Pflanzen nicht die Schuld –> Anstrengung anerkennen & Wachstum unterstützen

3) Entwurzeln Sie die Pflanzen nicht –> Sei geduldig mit den Fortschritten und gib ihnen Zeit, sich zu entwickeln

4) Wähle die besten Pflanzen für den Boden –> Bringen Sie Menschen mit Problemen zusammen & begrüßen Sie die Vielfalt

5) Bewässere und dünge –> Investiere in ihre Entwicklung & lobe großzügig

6) Unkraut entfernen –> Negativität ansprechen & giftige Menschen loswerden

7) Denken Sie daran, dass es Jahreszeiten geben wird (gute + schlecht) –> Antizipieren Sie Veränderungen und bereiten Sie sie auf Herausforderungen vor

Ein großes Lob an Eric Partaker für diese Tipps.

Beginnen Sie noch heute damit, die Saat des Erfolgs zu pflanzen. Führung mag komplex erscheinen. Aber in Wirklichkeit, einige einfache Praktiken können viel bewirken.

Via Linkedin

#Leadership #Scrum #ScrumMaster

Find me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehauth/ Mastodon: norden.social/@ring2

Me: As a Senior Scrum Master, I lead agile teams to deliver innovative and user-centric digital products and services for the media industry. With over 25 years of work experience in various roles and sectors, I have developed a diverse and versatile skill set that includes Scrumban, Scrum, Facilitation, Product Management, and Project Leadership.

I hold a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) credential from Scrum Alliance and a Facilitator badge. I also write as a columnist for ZEIT ONLINE, sharing my insights and perspectives on topics such as digital transformation, innovation, and culture.

Nutzt Du “Domain Leadership” als Scrum Master?

Was tue ich als Scrum Master, wenn ich mit “ Servant Leadership” nicht weiter komme?

Eine vollkommen unterschätzte Rolle des Scrum Masters ist die des “Domain Leaders”. Neben dem “Servant Leader” eine der Führungsrollen in Scrum – allerdings eine offensivere.

Wenn Servant Leadership an ihre Grenzen stößt

Der “Domain Leader” sorgt dafür, dass quasi die Diskursethik im und gegenüber dem Scrum Team stimmt. Gibt es beispielsweise Probleme mit notorisch störenden Charakteren (bis hin zu Saboteuren), kann diese Führungsrolle auch Menschen zeitweise von Events bspw. ausschließen, oder Auflagen formulieren, die in der “Domäne” des Scrum Teams vereinbart sind.

Bis hin zum Entfernen von Personen aus dem Scrum Team.

Als Tool nutze ich gerne “Team Agreements”, die auch beinhalten, dass es Sanktionen geben kann, wenn sich nicht an gemeinsame Vereinbarungen gehalten wird.

#Scrum #ScrumMaster #Leadership

Find me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehauth/ Mastodon: norden.social/@ring2

Me: As a Senior Scrum Master, I lead agile teams to deliver innovative and user-centric digital products and services for the media industry. With over 25 years of work experience in various roles and sectors, I have developed a diverse and versatile skill set that includes Scrumban, Scrum, Facilitation, Product Management, and Project Leadership.

I hold a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) credential from Scrum Alliance and a Facilitator badge. I also write as a columnist for ZEIT ONLINE, sharing my insights and perspectives on topics such as digital transformation, innovation, and culture.