The Scrum Master's Art of Saying "No" with Suruchi Patki

06/19/24 • 37 min

Join us in this episode as Suruchi Patke, an experienced Agile practitioner and Scrum team coach, shares her wisdom on mastering the nuanced skill of saying "no". Discover how protecting your team’s autonomy and keeping focus can prevent scope creep and enhance self-management. Suruchi offers practical tips and compelling examples on how to say "no "in a way that builds trust and nurtures a healthy team dynamic.
Ever faced the dilemma of balancing urgent tasks with essential team retrospectives? We have the perfect solution for you. Suruchi recounts a real-life scenario where a developer wanted to skip the retrospective to meet pressing deadlines. Instead of simply dismissing the idea, she facilitated a productive 35-minute session by proposing alternative solutions. This segment highlights the importance of flexibility and open communication in maintaining team agility and delivering quality outcomes without sacrificing opportunities for improvement.
Managing stakeholder expectations can be tricky, especially when new tasks emerge mid-sprint. In this episode, we explore a scenario where additional data migration tasks threatened to overload the sprint backlog. Suruchi emphasizes the necessity of setting boundaries and conducting technical feasibility analyses to negotiate realistic sprint goals. Learn strategies to protect your team’s capacity while ensuring stakeholder satisfaction. Join us as we empower Scrum Masters to lead their teams with clarity, confidence, and assertiveness.
Connect with Suruchi on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/suruchi-patki-b0710b195
Visit the Great American Ballpark and Purple People Bridge in Cincinnati, Ohio:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_American_Ball_Park
https://purplepeoplebridge.com/
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Previous Episode

Neurodiversity in Scrum Teams and Why it Matters with Anita Kalmane-Boot

What if the key to unlocking your team's full potential lies in understanding the unique ways our brains function? Join us in this fascinating episode of The Agile Within, where we sit down with Anita Kalmane-Boot, a Scrum Master from Eastern Netherlands, who sheds light on the critical importance of neurodiversity in Agile teams. Anita breaks down the differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals, emphasizing why these distinctions are essential for creating inclusive and high-performing Scrum teams. Discover how fostering an environment of psychological safety and crafting inclusive team agreements can empower neurodivergent team members to thrive.
Unemployment is a significant challenge for neurodivergent individuals, not due to their lack of willingness to work, but because of systemic barriers. Anita and I explore the necessity for companies to embrace diverse working arrangements and create inclusive environments that cater to various needs. We discuss the growing acceptance within industries like technology, where flexible work hours and environments are becoming the norm. Learn about the initiatives and advocacy efforts in Western Europe that are paving the way for a more inclusive workforce, and how companies can benefit from tapping into this often-overlooked talent pool.
Unlock the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to Agile teams, from creativity to out-of-the-box thinking. Anita shares practical strategies for improving team dynamics, including the creation of personal manuals to understand each team member’s work preferences and needs.
Connect with Anita on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitakalmane/
Book Suggestions:

Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
"Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help"
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Next Episode

Uncovering Your Team’s Ikigai with Sarah Gruneisen

Unlock the secrets to leading with purpose and fulfillment as Sarah Gruneisen, a seasoned leadership coach and former software engineer, joins us to break down the ancient Japanese concept of Ikigai. Discover how aligning what you love, what you’re good at, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs can transform your approach to leadership and team dynamics. Learn how these intersections—passion, mission, vocation, and profession—can help you create a more meaningful professional and personal life. We discuss actionable insights on empowering diverse teams, including introverts and those focused on technical tasks, by fostering environments that encourage understanding and creative problem-solving.
Engineers at various career stages face unique challenges, from midlife crises to imposter syndrome. Sarah and I tackle these issues head-on, offering strategies to help leaders understand and support their teams' unique motivations and backgrounds. Learn how meaningful conversations and trust-building can unlock true passions, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. We delve into overcoming fear and taking risks, with practical tips for managing failure and encouraging team members to pursue authentic goals. If you’re looking to inspire your team and yourself, this episode is packed with the wisdom you need to make a real impact.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgruneisen/
Check out Sarah's Coaching Offerings:
https://www.avagasso.com/
What is Ikigai?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai
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