Podcast Summary: Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast – "From Process Police to People Partner, Self-Accountability and Self-Awareness for Scrum Masters | Anuj Ojha"
Release Date: March 3, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, host Vasco Duarte, a seasoned Agile Coach and Certified Scrum Master, engages in a profound conversation with Anuj Ojha, the co-founder and lead consultant at Benzene Consulting. Anuj brings over fifteen years of experience in agile environments, offering invaluable insights into the transformative journey from being a process-centric Scrum Master to becoming a people-focused leader.
Guest Background: Anuj Ojha
Anuj Ojha introduces himself as a framework-agnostic, purpose-driven, and data-driven Agile professional with more than a decade of consulting experience. His journey into Scrum mastery began 15 years ago in Norway, transitioning from a software engineer to a Scrum Master—a role that unexpectedly triggered a profound personal and professional transformation.
Key Quote:
"That's when the journey triggered my balance and led to a spiritual awakening inside me over the course of time."
— Anuj Ojha [02:53]
Early Challenges as a Scrum Master
Anuj recounts his initial foray into the Scrum Master role, highlighting the struggles and misconceptions he faced. He was deeply entrenched in the mechanics of Scrum, focusing on tools like Jira, burn-down charts, and strict adherence to ceremonies. This approach, though widely accepted, led to personal tension and team disengagement.
Key Quote:
"I was trying to please everyone... acting like a priest who understands Scrum, telling people what commandments they need to follow."
— Anuj Ojha [04:05]
Anuj realized that his obsession with processes and metrics was detracting from the core purpose of agility, which is to foster a functional, aligned team striving towards shared goals rather than merely checking tasks off a list.
The Turning Point: Self-Reflection and Awareness
The pivotal moment in Anuj's journey was his self-awareness of the disconnect between his actions and the true essence of being a Scrum Master. He recognized that his primary challenge was internal, dealing with personal biases and the need to transition from a "Process Police" to a "People Partner."
Key Quote:
"It wasn't about fixing the team's problems; it was about fixing my own inner problems, my biases driving me."
— Anuj Ojha [06:04]
Transformation Journey: From Process to People
Anuj outlines a three-step journey that facilitated his transformation:
-
Acknowledgment:
Recognizing and admitting the existence of personal shortcomings and the ineffective approach he was taking.Key Quote:
"I wanted to acknowledge that I am not meaningful or purposeful to my team in certain ways."
— Anuj Ojha [09:25] -
Realization:
Seeking feedback through individual interviews, group sessions, and observing other Scrum Masters. This phase involved deep introspection and external input to understand his impact and areas for improvement. -
Actualization:
Implementing small, meaningful changes such as active listening and encouraging team-driven solutions. Anuj emphasized the importance of constructive conflict and probing questions to foster a more collaborative and result-oriented environment.
Key Quote:
"I don't want to put Agile lipstick on the face of the teams and projects; I wanted to find out how can it be meaningful for us to reach the end goal or being more result-oriented."
— Anuj Ojha [09:25]
Embracing Leadership and Servant Leadership
Anuj discusses the responsibility of Scrum Masters as leaders who model the right behaviors. He differentiates between traditional management and servant leadership, emphasizing that true leadership lies in empowering teams and facilitating their growth rather than enforcing processes.
Key Quote:
"We are leaders. We are not necessarily managers or hierarchical managers, but we are leaders showing with our example, the right behaviors."
— Vasco Duarte [11:55]
Takeaways and Lessons Learned
Anuj's story serves as a powerful reminder that effective Scrum Masters must prioritize self-awareness and continuous personal growth. By shifting focus from rigid processes to fostering a supportive and collaborative team environment, Scrum Masters can better unlock their team's potential and drive meaningful outcomes.
Key Insights:
- Self-Accountability: Recognizing personal biases and areas for improvement is crucial for effective leadership.
- Active Listening: Being more of a listener than a talker can significantly enhance team dynamics and problem-solving.
- Constructive Conflict: Encouraging healthy debates prevents superficial harmony and promotes genuine progress.
- Purpose-Driven Agility: Aligning team efforts with the broader purpose and goals ensures sustained motivation and success.
Conclusion
In this enlightening episode, Anuj Ojha shares his transformative journey from a process-oriented Scrum Master to a people-centric leader, underscoring the importance of self-accountability and self-awareness in agile practices. His experiences offer valuable lessons for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches striving to enhance their effectiveness and foster thriving team environments.
About the Global Agile Summit
Towards the end of the episode, Vasco promotes the Global Agile Summit—an event designed to combat Agile fatigue by featuring real-life success stories and actionable insights from over 200 Agile professionals worldwide. Scheduled to take place in Tallinn, Estonia, the summit includes various tracks focused on Agile Business, Agile Product, and Agile Development, offering attendees opportunities to learn, connect, and elevate their Agile practices.
For more information and to register, visit globalagilesummit.com.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and transformative experiences shared by Anuj Ojha, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.