Agile Leader Tip #9 - Respect the Team
This Agile Leadership Tip is about respecting the Spring and letting the Team focus on the tasks at hand.
During the Sprint, please do not interrupt the Team.
Principle five of the Agile Manifesto says to give the Team “the environment and support they need, and [to] trust them to get the job done.”
Be present during the Sprint planning meeting to give your perspective and to work with the Product Owner on priorities. Then, let the Teams self-manage and help them to reach their targets.
Your job is to support the Team and ensure they have everything they need to do the job. Of course, monitor the burndown, attend the Stand-Ups and be present, but only get directly involved if asked.
It’s not easy to be a servant leader, we understand that, but that is what is needed to build a self-sufficient high-performing Team.
Oh, by the way, if you attend the Stand-Up meeting – DO NOT TALK. The meeting is not for you. It’s for the Team.
During the Sprint, it’s essential to let the Scrum Master, Product Owner and Team focus on their deliverable. Yes, you will get asked by others in the organization to interrupt the Team to take on new work. If this happens, negotiate with stakeholders to discuss new mid-sprint requirements with the Product Owner that will then be prioritized on the backlog and, if necessary, be included in the next Sprint.
If you feel two-week Sprints are too long as priorities are rapidly changing, move to one-week Sprints.
