Summary

The website content discusses the importance of Scrum Values in fostering a collaborative and productive team environment, emphasizing personal and team values alignment for professional growth and conflict resolution.

Abstract

The article delves into the concept of Scrum Values, which include commitment, focus, openness, respect, and courage, and how these values translate into real-world team behaviors and workplace culture. It underscores the necessity of trust and courage to unlock a team's potential to create a better work environment. The piece also reflects on personal values and principles, suggesting that one's job should align with what they would wish for their child in the same role. The author advocates for a work setting where team members are respected, can speak up without fear, and have the ability to learn and improve. The article further explores how personal values can inform Scrum Team values, ensuring that team members are committed, courageous, focused, open, and respected. It concludes with strategies for Scrum Masters to address team conflicts by ensuring transparency, routine inspection and adaptation, and alignment with team values to foster a safe and enjoyable work environment.

Opinions

The author views team values as more than abstract concepts, considering them crucial for tangible improvements in team dynamics and productivity.
There is a call for organizations to pay more attention to values and culture, rather than just preaching about them.
The author expresses a personal desire for a workplace where individuals are not treated as expendable resources but are respected and valued for their contributions and personal development.
The article suggests that a sense of belonging in the workplace stems from mutual respect, the ability to focus on work and personal development, and the courage to speak up.
The author emphasizes that Scrum Team values should be reflected in the behavior of team members, with a shared commitment and a sense of being 'in it together.'
The author believes that addressing conflicts holistically by ensuring transparency, inspection, adaptation, and acting from shared values is key to resolving issues and maintaining a cohesive team environment.

A deeper understanding on…

Scrum Values

Road to PSM III — Episode 5

[revised for 2020 Scrum Guide update]

The topic ‘team values’ might sound abstract. They are mushy-wushy terms, but the behaviors stemming from them make a real world impact. Many teams (or organizations as a whole) do not pay much attention to values, yet many preach about developing culture.

What are the Scrum Values?

The Scrum Team commits to achieving its goals and to supporting each other.
Their primary focus is on the work of the Sprint to make the best possible progress toward these goals.
The Scrum Team and its stakeholders are open about the work and the challenges.
Scrum Team members respect each other to be capable, independent people, and are respected as such by the people with whom they work.
The Scrum Team members have the courage to do the right thing, to work on tough problems.

I see a lot of potential; teams really, collectively do have the power to create a better environment for themselves, but in order to unlock this, a demonstration of trust is needed and that takes courage. Without this, a lot is squandered. What is needed to create that sense of belonging in the workplace?

Personal values

I think it is essential we first cover our own personal values and principles. So here is a thought that might help you define what you value in relation to your job. So, hypothetically, if your kid would grow up to do the job you do today, what would you wish for them?

For example, this is just a small selection I would wish for my daughter if she were to follow me in my footsteps: I wish for her…

Not to be called or considered to be a ‘resource.’ She is not an expendable human being.
Be respected when she provides honest feedback.
To be able to speak up and do the right thing without fearing repercussions.
Not to be defined or limited by a job profile.
Not have to report to someone less qualified.
Not have to report to someone who values business objectives over her as a person.
Not having to report and justify every single breath she breathes.

To have the ability to learn and improve… during office hours continuously.
Not have someone else take credit for her work and the challenges she overcame.
Even if she is a developer of a product, she too enjoys a level of ownership of the product.
She gets to take the time to make it right so she can maintain and elevate her professional standard.
When she struggles, she is helped, not blamed.
She won’t abandon healthy principles in unhealthy environments.

Personal team values

Now, consider these personal values in relation to Scrum’s values.

Work in an equally committed team. To have each other's back at all times.
To have to courage to speak up when something isn’t right.
That she has the time to focus on doing her work right and that she can focus too on her own personal development.
To be able to be open and honest without ‘corporate-social-political’ reprimand.
And above anything else… to be respected for the work she does and the person she is.

Now I wish that too for myself and my teammates!

Scrum Team values

When considering ‘team values’ each member should first consider the statement: ‘we are in it together’. Sometimes a member may not want to be part of a team, or won’t consider him/herself to be a part of a team. Ask them to consider if they are all affected by the actions of another and if they have a shared purpose or direction. If so, you are in it together.

As Scrum Master, it is best to approach the situation holistically when your team is struggling or when there is continuous conflict. What to do when you ‘sense’ the issue is bigger than the argument?

To help the team ’to move on productively from conflict, consider the following:

Are the right things transparent to the right people?
Is the team routinely inspecting and adapting?
Are we acting from our values, and how is this demonstrated?

No one wants continuous conflict. You are in it together. The team will have to work out how each individual can contribute to creating a safe and enjoyable environment.

Continue to the next episode:

The Scrum Team

Road to PSM III — Episode 6

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