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.

Aliona reflects on the essence of change management: change cannot be forced. An experience with a resistant team taught her that involving the team in co-creation fosters acceptance and lasting transformation. By listening first and suggesting incremental adjustments, she found that building trust and making the team part of the solution makes change not just possible, but welcomed.

Self-reflection Question: How do you involve your team in shaping changes that impact them?

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Aliona Zapanovici

Aliona is an Agile Coach and Scrum Master with a background in architecture who transitioned to IT to pursue her passion. She values impactful contributions over years of experience. Balancing her roles as a coach, mentor, and mother, she focuses on empowering teams and guiding individuals to achieve their best.

You can link with Aliona Zapanovici on LinkedIn.

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.

A recurring issue Aliona observed in teams was the “bus factor,” where key knowledge was held by only a few members. This led to significant bottlenecks when unforeseen absences, such as during COVID or vacations, occurred. The reluctance of specialists to share knowledge, driven by fear of reduced importance, exacerbated the problem and demotivated the team. Aliona emphasizes the importance of knowledge-sharing and personal growth within teams and highlights the use of tools like a skills matrix to promote development and resilience.

Self-reflection Question: How does your team approach knowledge-sharing and redundancy?

The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time by Jeff Sutherland provided Aliona with the deeper “why” behind the Scrum framework during her early days as a Scrum Master. It shifted her understanding from merely following Scrum practices to grasping their purpose. This book was pivotal in guiding her to explore her own motivations and the true essence of Scrum.

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Aliona Zapanovici

Aliona is an Agile Coach and Scrum Master with a background in architecture who transitioned to IT to pursue her passion. She values impactful contributions over years of experience. Balancing her roles as a coach, mentor, and mother, she focuses on empowering teams and guiding individuals to achieve their best.

You can link with Aliona Zapanovici on LinkedIn.

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.

Aliona shares her early experience as a Scrum Master, marked by an initial misunderstanding of leadership without authority. Feeling out of place and defensive when faced with team resistance, she soon recognized that true transformation requires observation, curiosity, and gradual change. Her dogmatic approach led to challenges, but she learned valuable lessons: answer team questions, observe their interactions, and seek mentorship. These insights shaped her path from initial failure to becoming an empowering leader.

Self-reflection Question: Have you ever approached a team with assumptions that you later had to change?

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Aliona Zapanovici

Aliona is an Agile Coach and Scrum Master with a background in architecture who transitioned to IT to pursue her passion. She values impactful contributions over years of experience. Balancing her roles as a coach, mentor, and mother, she focuses on empowering teams and guiding individuals to achieve their best.

You can link with Aliona Zapanovici on LinkedIn.

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.

Gosia illustrates the characteristics of an exemplary Product Owner. These individuals build trust with their teams, challenge ideas respectfully, and maintain transparency about their concerns. Great POs actively seek feedback, clearly communicate the customer’s voice, and leverage tools like Jobs To Be Done to align features with the company’s strategy. Inviting customers to share their experiences with the team ensures that development stays user-focused and relevant.

In contrast, Gosia describes a Product Owner who undermined team trust by changing estimation figures without the team’s knowledge. During a meeting focused on affinity estimation for an upcoming release, the PO erased the team’s work and provided altered estimates to the business. This action broke trust and disenfranchised the team, showcasing an anti-pattern where the PO assumes control rather than fostering team ownership. Such behavior can lead to decreased morale and a lack of transparency.

Self-reflection Question: How do you ensure your actions as a Product Owner build trust and foster collaboration within your team?

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Gosia Smoleńska
Gosia has worked in IT since 2013, starting as a manual tester and moving into QA, project management, and scrum mastery. Her passion lies in sharing agile knowledge and supporting start-ups in building strong, agile cultures. She is experienced in Scrum, Kanban, NEXUS, and Lean, and is a certified Professional Kanban Trainer.

You can link with Gosia Smoleńska on LinkedIn.

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.

Success for Gosia as a Scrum Master is defined by her team’s self-sufficiency. True success is evident when the team operates smoothly without her constant presence, handles conflicts independently, and confidently runs their own meetings. When team members shift from bringing complaints to proposing solutions and only seek occasional feedback, it indicates a mature, autonomous group. We also discuss what behaviors to look out for as a Scrum Master, to ensure that the team is proceeding towards self-sufficiency.

Self-reflection Question: How do you measure the level of autonomy within your team and encourage them to become more self-reliant?

Gosia recommends Lean Coffee as a favorite retrospective format due to its simplicity and relaxed structure. This format’s timeboxed, formulaic approach allows discussions to flow naturally without the pressure to cover every topic. It’s particularly effective for fast-paced environments where teams need structured, yet laid-back, sessions to share their thoughts.

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Gosia Smoleńska
Gosia started in IT in 2013 as a manual tester, later moving into QA, project management, and becoming a Scrum Master. Passionate about agile practices, she supports start-ups in nurturing agile cultures and holds certifications including Professional Kanban Trainer.

You can link with Gosia Smoleńska on LinkedIn.

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.

Gosia shares her experience leading a startup through significant change by introducing a goal framework and implementing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Initially resistant, the company transitioned to quarterly reviews and goal-setting processes. Teams were tasked with defining their contributions, leading to greater collaboration and understanding of their roles. Regular retrospectives and actionable feedback refined the approach, while tools like Monte Carlo simulations and WIP limits helped maintain focus. This story emphasizes that driving change requires adaptation and continuous learning.

Self-reflection Question: How do you ensure that goal-setting frameworks support your team’s focus and growth?

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Gosia Smoleńska
Gosia has worked in IT since 2013, growing from a manual tester to roles in QA, project management, and scrum mastery. She shares agile knowledge passionately and helps build start-up cultures. Her expertise spans Scrum, Kanban, NEXUS, and Lean.

You can link with Gosia Smoleńska on LinkedIn.

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.

Gosia recounts a time when her team, acting as a vendor for a large pharmaceutical client, faced severe alignment issues. With three teams and one Product Owner, goals often diverged, and communication barriers arose. A key challenge emerged when the dev lead, fearing judgment over code quality, began personally reviewing code before client submission. This approach, initially manageable with five members, became overwhelming as the team grew. Despite efforts to coach the dev lead, the fear-driven behavior persisted, revealing the difficult balance of knowing when to push for change versus when to accept limits.

Self-reflection Question: When coaching others, how do you recognize the point at which your influence may no longer be effective?

Gosia highlights The Culture Map as an essential read for understanding and navigating cultural differences within diverse organizations. This book provides insights into contrasting practices, such as giving and receiving feedback or varying perspectives on punctuality. For teams working globally, it’s a valuable resource for fostering effective communication and collaboration.

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue.

Buy Now on Amazon

[The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

About Gosia Smoleńska
Gosia has worked in IT since 2013, starting as a manual tester and transitioning into roles like QA, project management, and scrum mastery. She focuses on agile knowledge sharing and building cultures in start-ups, with expertise in Scrum, Kanban, NEXUS, and Lean.

You can link with Gosia Smoleńska on LinkedIn.