Servant Leadership in SCRUM: What You Need to Know

Agile methodologies introduced new flexible business models in the last two decades, so leadership evolved accordingly. One leadership style that has gained prominence is servant leadership.

Why is it relevant to SCRUM?

Servant leadership is crucial for SCRUM's success because it aligns with SCRUM's values, empowers team members, and fosters a collaborative environment. Servant leaders support the team by removing impediments, promoting continuous improvement, and building trust. This leadership style prioritizes the growth and well-being of team members, enhances adaptability, and ensures high engagement and productivity.

In this blog, we'll explore servant leadership, its association with SCRUM, and how it can enhance agile teams.

What is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership is a philosophy in which the leader's primary goal is to serve others. Robert K. Greenleaf introduced this term in the 1970s. Unlike traditional leadership, which focuses on the growth and success of the organization, servant leadership emphasizes the growth, well-being, and development of the team members and the community.

The servant leader shares power, prioritizes others' needs, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible while being authentic and freely expressing themselves in the workplace.

Servant Leadership and SCRUM Masters

In Agile, the SCRUM Master acts as a servant leader, facilitating, coaching, and supporting the team to adhere to Agile practices and values. Here's how servant leadership aligns with SCRUM's core values:

Let's break down how servant leadership aligns with the core values of SCRUM:

• Commitment: A servant leader ensures that the team is committed to their goals and supports them in achieving them.

• Courage: A servant leader encourages open and honest communication, allowing the team to address issues head-on.

• Focus: A servant leader helps the team concentrate on sprint goals and removes distractions or impediments.

• Openness: A servant leader promotes a culture where transparency is valued, and continuous improvement is encouraged.

• Respect: A servant leader values each team member's contribution and fosters a respectful and collaborative environment.

What Are the Elements of Servant Leadership?

The characteristics of servant leaders align closely with the qualities expected of a SCRUM Master. This is why this leadership style is particularly effective within agile teams.  Here are some key traits of servant leaders:

• Listening: Active listening to understand the team's needs and concerns.

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing team members' feelings to build strong and meaningful relationships.

• Healing: Facilitating conflict resolution and promoting a healthy work environment.

• Awareness: Being mindful of team dynamics and organizational culture to address issues proactively.

• Persuasion: Influencing the team through trust and integrity rather than authority.

• Conceptualization: Thinking beyond day-to-day tasks to envision long-term goals and future strategies.

• Foresight: Anticipating potential problems and preparing solutions in advance.

• Stewardship: Taking responsibility for the team's success and well-being and ensuring that available resources are used effectively and ethically.

• Commitment to the Growth of People: Encouraging personal and professional development among team members.

• Building Community: Creating a sense of belonging and mutual support within the team.

How to Enhance Your Agile Team through Servant Leadership

Servant leadership can significantly enhance the way an agile team works and carries through the projects in various ways:

• Improved Collaboration: By prioritizing the team's needs, a servant leader fosters a collaborative environment where everyone comes together and works towards common goals.

• Increased Motivation: Empowering team members to take ownership of their work leads to higher motivation and job satisfaction.

• Enhanced Creativity: A safe environment encourages innovation and experimentation, leading to creative solutions.

• Better Decision-Making: Involving the team in decision-making processes brings diverse perspectives and better solutions.

• Higher Productivity: A focused and supported team is more productive and efficient.

Servant Leadership vs. Traditional Leadership

The differences between servant leadership and traditional leadership are striking:

Implementing Servant Leadership in SCRUM: Four Challenges

Implementing servant leadership in SCRUM can come with the following challenges:

• Resistance to Change: Team members accustomed to traditional leadership may be skeptical of this new approach because it drastically differs from what they know and have been practicing for years.

• Balancing Authority and Servitude: Maintaining respect and authority while serving the team can be tricky, especially if there's a long history of impersonal leadership.

• Time Management: Servant leadership requires significant time for mentoring and coaching, which can be challenging to balance.

• Cultural Misalignment: Aligning servant leadership with the existing organizational culture can take significant time and effort.

How to Overcome the Four Challenges

To successfully implement servant leadership by overcoming the challenges mentioned above, consider these strategies:

• Education and Training: Provide training on servant leadership principles and practices to ensure everyone understands its value.

• Building Trust: Demonstrate consistency and integrity to gain the team's trust.

• Clear Communication: Set clear expectations and explain the benefits of servant leadership.

• Gradual Implementation: Introduce servant leadership practices incrementally to ease the transition.

• Feedback Mechanisms: Establish regular feedback loops to identify and address concerns promptly.

Takeaway

Servant leadership is not just a buzzword; it's a transformative approach that aligns perfectly with the principles of SCRUM. By adopting this leadership style, SCRUM Masters can create an environment where teams are motivated, collaborative, and productive. As agile and dynamic work environments become the norm, embracing servant leadership will be crucial for long-term success.

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