Unlock the power of meaningful dialogue and transform the way you facilitate complex conversations with our all-inclusive masterclass. Whether you’re an established professional seeking to refine your facilitation skills or an aspiring change-maker eager to make your mark, this class is tailored to empower you with the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate group dynamics adeptly. This article is designed to close the gap between theory and practice, ensuring you are well-equipped to handle real-world scenarios.  Equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate complex ..read more

You’ve probably stumbled upon the term “working agreements” in the sphere of scrum or agile software development, and you’re likely curious about their significance. “What exactly are they? And why do they carry such weight in structuring a cohesive, efficient, and well-synchronised scrum team?” you wonder. Allow us to demystify.  Working Agreements, in the simplest of terms, are shared understandings or norms that a team agrees to follow to increase their collective efficiency and productivity. Consider them the ‘rules of engagement’ – the mutually agreed upon conduct and process th ..read more

Championing the path of productive collaboration, you, whether as a team or an individual, may have heard of the term ‘working agreements’. But what do these two simple words mean in the grand scheme of our professional lives? You may ask. A working agreement is a tangible framework designed to help a team or an individual cultivate a positive professional culture and have a clear blueprint of their expectations. These agreements define the expected behaviours, operational methods, and work ethics that propel everyone in the workplace to their most potent productivity ..read more

Ever found yourself in a work-related dilemma, grappling with the complexity of forging a practical and efficient working agreement? Well, you’re not alone. Organising a team, especially in a high-pressure work environment, can be a daunting task. The process may present numerous challenges and obstacles that may seem insurmountable at first. But hold your horses, throw away those worries and get ready to navigate this bumpy ride with unwavering confidence. This article is here to help you understand, strategise, and overcome the common hurdles encountered while drafti ..read more

In the fast-paced realm of product development, the crux of success often lies in understanding how to navigate a team effectively. You might be surprised to realise that this doesn’t always necessitate a top-down, authoritative approach. Rather, it can be achieved successfully via working agreements or as some call them, team contracts. This is where effective communication, mutual understanding, and shared expectations come together.  Working agreements provide a ‘north star’ for your team, anchoring everyone towards the same objective through a shared understanding of the ru ..read more

It’s said that no man is an island, and nowhere is this truer than within the thrilling dynamics of the modern team. A symphony of skills, talents, and personalities, teams are at the heart of the innovation that powers forward our world. However, much like the opus of an orchestra, a team’s effectiveness isn’t merely a matter of assembling various talents, but rather lies in fostering an environment for optimal integration and coordination. Embodying this task are the scrum masters, the maestros of modern team mechanics, responsible for guiding diverse talents into seamless harmony.  “T ..read more

In the world of fast-paced, dynamic work environments, the secret to a harmonious team lies in well-crafted working agreements. Not only do they lay the groundwork for effective teamwork and collaboration, but they also establish a common understanding of what is expected from everyone within the team. But creating a well-accepted working agreement is only half the battle – gaining and maintaining your team’s buy-in and ensuring it stays relevant and constructive is a task in itself.  In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into how to foster buy-in from your team f ..read more

If you’re a scrum master, you probably understand that your role is an ever-evolving journey towards scrum mastery. A crucial aspect of this journey lies within the realm of the ‘coaching stance’. Seem familiar, or utterly ambiguous? Whatever your initial reaction, this article is here to carefully dissect the concept, highlighting its significance and how you can master it.  “A true Scrum Master, at their core, is primarily a servant-leader, which in practice translates into the adoption of a ‘coaching stance’.” This coaching stance is not a mere theoretical construct; instead, it’s co ..read more

With the constant evolution of organisational setups, determining the most effective strategy to get work done efficiently is a puzzle that businesses are perpetually trying to solve. Central to this equation are teams and working groups—two terms often used interchangeably but, in reality, present two distinct approaches. Understanding their dynamics and how they function can significantly optimise productivity. So, let’s break down the differences, understand the models to analyse team effectiveness, and explore various theories like the team performance curve, the five dysfunctions of a tea ..read more

Imagine being at the helm of a dynamic team, guiding them through challenging projects with ease and efficacy. That’s the crucial role of a Scrum Master in a nutshell. But are you aware of the essential coaching techniques that can help enhance this role and bring a new dimension to your agile approach? These techniques – namely active listening, powerful questioning, and the GROW model – are transformative tools that can be incorporated seamlessly into any scrum master’s toolkit. In this article, we will delve into these techniques, exploring their relevance and application to boost your capa ..read more