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.

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.

In this episode, Gosia shares a story of a team working across different locations where collaboration and trust were initially absent. Before remote work was popular, a team of seven struggled with communication, experiencing conflicts and tension that hindered their progress. Efforts to foster camaraderie and resolve these issues, including team visits and workshops, fell short. It was only through informal social interactions that they discovered the deep-seated issues that divided them. This experience underscored the critical need for interpersonal connections and understanding cultural differences to build a cohesive team.

Self-reflection Question: How can you encourage open communication in a team that faces persistent interpersonal conflicts?

[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 through roles in QA, project management, and scrum mastery. She is passionate about sharing agile knowledge and aiding start-ups in building agile cultures. Gosia 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.

Mike highlights that great Product Owners are actively engaged with their teams and balance presence with external responsibilities. These POs ensure frequent collaboration, participate in ensemble programming, and create opportunities for the team to ask questions and receive feedback. The key is mindful engagement that avoids unnecessary barriers and promotes trust.

Self-reflection Question for the Great PO Section: How can you foster an environment where your Product Owner remains engaged yet empowers the team to make independent decisions?

Mike discusses the anti-pattern of a Product Owner who doubled as a manager. This dual role often led to micromanagement, stifled team autonomy, and the exclusion of the Scrum Master from decision-making. In such cases, teams becomes dependent on the PO’s direction, eroding self-organization. Mike’s solution involves encouraging leaders to choose between being a PO or a manager to avoid power imbalances.

Self-reflection Question: How can you encourage balanced PO involvement without stifling team autonomy?

[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 Mike Bowler

Mike is a seasoned Agile coach and trainer with over 25 years of experience. He focuses on technical practices, workflow optimization, leadership coaching, and human behavior, including neuroscience and psychology. His expertise extends from technical implementation to fostering psychological safety.

You can link with Mike Bowler 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.

Mike defines a successful Scrum Master as a catalyst who drives the team towards continuous improvement and effective goal achievement. He discusses how to gauge success by examining data available from the team’s processes and questioning whether true improvement is happening. Effective Scrum Masters facilitate discussions that challenge the status quo and encourage the team to reflect on their progress using data and insights.

Self-reflection Question: What indicators do you use to measure your team’s effectiveness?

Mike shares the Six Thinking Hats retrospective as an effective format to dissect complex team issues. This method allows the team to view problems from different perspectives—logical, emotional, critical, etc.—encouraging balanced discussions and deep insights without conflict. He emphasizes how this approach can defuse latent conflicts and foster logical, collaborative problem-solving.

[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 Mike Bowler

Mike is a seasoned Agile coach and trainer with over 25 years of experience. He focuses on technical practices, workflow optimization, leadership coaching, and human behavior, including neuroscience and psychology. His expertise extends from technical implementation to fostering psychological safety.

You can link with Mike Bowler on LinkedIn.