A Coaching Stance refers to the mindset and approach that a coach employs while working. In Scrum, coaches are a vital component in ensuring that the Scrum team adheres to the principles and rules of Scrum consistently to achieve business objectives. This article will delve into at least three main elements of a coaching stance related to the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) exam. These elements are active coaching, facilitation, and mentoring.
1. Active Coaching
Active coaching is the primary task that every ScrumMaster undertakes. A ScrumMaster’s role is not only to direct, but also to coach, guide, and help the Scrum Team. They are responsible for guiding individuals, teams, and their organization towards agility.
A ScrumMaster does not take on the responsibility of problem-solving. Instead, they empower team members to solve their own problems. For instance, rather than telling a developer what to do when faced with a problem, a ScrumMaster can offer options and ideas, encouraging the developer to make their own informed decision.
For an active coach, asking the right questions is an essential tool. They use powerful questioning to inspire their team members to think deeper and take the best action.
2. Facilitation
Facilitation encompasses the ScrumMaster’s ability to manage conflicts and reach consensus among the team members. They achieve this by promoting open communication and collaboration. In Scrum, a facilitative stance is important because the ScrumMaster is not the team’s boss but a peer who helps the team work more effectively.
Facilitators create a safe environment in which every team member feels comfortable speaking his mind. They make sure that everyone in the team is heard and everyone has an opportunity to contribute. For example, in sprint planning sessions, ScrumMasters may facilitate discussions on what goals to set for the upcoming sprint, allowing the team to reach a consensus on their targets.
It’s also within the ScrumMaster’s mandate as a facilitator to resolve conflicts within the team. They do this by helping the team members to understand each other’s perspectives and find common ground.
3. Mentoring
Mentoring in a coaching stance refers to the ScrumMaster’s responsibility to share their knowledge and expertise with the rest of the Scrum team. Knowledge on a wide array of topics such as technical practices, product or project management, and so on is disseminated with the team to foster learning and growth.
An example here is the ScrumMaster guiding team members on how to follow Scrum practices, use Scrum artifacts, and understand Scrum principles. During sprint retrospectives, ScrumMasters can use their knowledge and experience to mentor the team on best practices, and how to improve their performance in future sprints.
Conclusion
In conclusion, active coaching, facilitation, and mentoring are such crucial elements for a ScrumMaster in order to help the team maximize their potential and deliver results consistently. By balancing these three roles, a ScrumMaster can create an environment where a Scrum team can flourish and excel. These three elements will be integral to your performance in the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) exam, and more importantly, in your career as a successful ScrumMaster.
Practice Test
True or False: One aspect of a coaching stance in Scrum is the ability to remain impartial to the outcomes.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In a coaching stance, the scrum master should guide the team with neutrality without being overly invested in any particular outcome.
Which of the following is NOT considered an element of the coaching stance in Scrum?
- a) The ability to ask thought-provoking questions
- b) The ability to provide direct solutions
- c) The ability to hold space for the team to solve issues
- d) The ability to remain curious
Answer: b) The ability to provide direct solutions
Explanation: Coaching stance in Scrum focuses on guiding and facilitating rather than providing direct solutions. It supports team independence and autonomy.
True or False: Encouraging ongoing learning and growth is an element of the coaching stance in Scrum.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: An essential part of the coaching stance is fostering a culture that encourages learning and growth.
Which of these elements describes a coaching stance for a Scrum Master?
- a) Being solution-oriented
- b) Maintaining curiosity
- c) Being directive
- d) Facilitating decisions rather than making them
- e) Giving direct feedback
Answer: b) Maintaining curiosity, d) Facilitating decisions rather than making them
Explanation: A coaching stance for a Scrum Master involves remaining curious to learn from experiences, and facilitating decisions instead of making them to encourage team autonomy.
True or False: A coaching stance requires a Scrum Master to avoid questions that might challenge the team.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A coaching stance involves asking thought-provoking questions to help team members think thoroughly and critically.
Which of these is a key characteristic of a Scrum Master’s coaching stance?
- a) Providing direct instructions
- b) Remaining neutral
- c) Predicting outcomes
- d) Exerting influence
Answer: b) Remaining neutral
Explanation: In a coaching stance, a Scrum Master guides the team without attachment to specific outcomes, thus remaining neutral.
True or False: Being directive and dictating actions is part of a Scrum Master’s coaching stance.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A coaching stance emphasizes on guiding and facilitating, rather than being directive.
In a coaching stance, the Scrum Master’s role is to:
- a) Solve team’s problems
- b) Offer solutions
- c) Facilitate team problem solving
- d) Direct team’s actions
Answer: c) Facilitate team problem solving
Explanation: A Scrum Master’s role in a coaching stance is to facilitate the team in problem-solving rather than offering direct solutions.
True or False: In a coaching stance, a Scrum Master should constantly share his/her past experiences and steer the team based on it.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While a Scrum Master may draw from his/her experiences, the aim is to ask powerful questions to stimulate the team’s problem-solving abilities, not to steer them based on personal experiences.
Which of the following is a component of a coaching stance?
- a) Giving advice
- b) Holding space for team discussion
- c) Making decisions for the team
- d) Dictating actions
Answer: b) Holding space for team discussion
Explanation: A key aspect of a coaching stance is the ability to hold space for team discussion, thus fostering communication and collaboration.
Interview Questions
What is a Coaching Stance in Scrum?
The Coaching Stance in Scrum refers to the mindset, behaviors, beliefs, and approaches that a Scrum Master applies when coaching their teams in an Agile environment. It involves active listening, asking powerful questions, and striving to facilitate the team’s progress rather than directing it.
Identify one element of a coaching stance in Scrum?
One element of a coaching stance is active listening. This means the coach pays full attention to the speaker, absorbs what they are saying, and responds appropriately. It is more about understanding the speaker than waiting for a chance to respond.
How is powerful questioning an element of a coaching stance?
Powerful questioning allows a coach to gain a deeper understanding of the situation and helps the team to discover answers for themselves. It promotes reflection and stimulates thoughtful dialogue and inquiry, creating space for innovation and progression towards the team’s goals.
What is the significance of providing feedback in a coaching stance?
Feedback is an important element of a coaching stance that helps in improving performance and achieving positive change. Constructive and timely feedback provides clarity, motivates individuals, and guides team member’s actions.
What role does emotional intelligence play in a coaching stance?
Emotional intelligence, as an element of a coaching stance, allows the Scrum Master to understand and manage both their emotions and those of their team members. This leads to improved communication, stronger team cohesion, and a more positive and productive environment.
How can a Scrum Master employ a facilitation as an element of their coaching stance?
A Scrum Master employing facilitation guides the team by setting the agenda, establishing ground rules, and managing group dynamics. They do not make decisions for the team. Instead, facilitation empowers the team to arrive at their conclusions and formulate their strategies.
Which element of a coaching stance requires the Scrum Master to push their team beyond their comfort zone?
This element is referred to as challenging the process. It involves pushing the team to break out of their comfort zones, innovate, and take calculated risks to improve productivity and efficiency.
Describe how acknowledging reality is an element of a coaching stance?
Acknowledging reality involves recognizing the current situation, both its strengths and limitations, without bias. It forms the basis for meaningful conversations about the necessary changes and decisions that lead to progress.
How is being patient an element of a coaching stance?
Being patient entails allowing the team enough time to think, reflect, and find their solutions. It supports the fact that meaningful changes and improvements take time and cannot be hurried.
Can you explain how maintaining a developmental orientation is part of a coaching stance?
Maintaining a developmental orientation involves focusing on the continuous growth and advancement of the team, helping them build new capabilities, and become self-sustaining units. This orientation encourages learning, innovation, knowledge sharing, and skill development.
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