Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: "Growing Trust As A Product Owner, A PO Superpower" with Gosia Smoleńska

Release Date: November 22, 2024

In this insightful episode of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, host Vasco Duarte engages in a profound discussion with Gosia Smoleńska, an experienced Agile Coach and Certified Scrum Master. The conversation delves into the pivotal role of a Product Owner (PO) in fostering trust within Scrum teams, exploring both detrimental and exemplary behaviors that significantly impact team dynamics and project success.

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with Vasco Duarte welcoming listeners to the TGIF Product Owner edition, emphasizing the critical role POs play in the success of Scrum teams. Gosia Smoleńska joins the conversation to share her experiences and insights on building trust as a Product Owner.

2. The Worst Product Owner Anti-Pattern

Gosia opens the discussion by recounting an alarming anti-pattern she encountered in her career:

Gosia Smoleńska [00:58]:
"So the product owner stays in the meeting room and he swipes the items on the wall because he thinks that estimates from the team are too small."

In this scenario, during an affinity estimation meeting for upcoming features, the PO manipulates the team's estimates without their knowledge. Despite the team providing high-level estimates, the PO alters these figures post-meeting to present inflated numbers to the business stakeholders. This deceit undermines the team's input and creates a rift between the PO and the team.

3. Impact on Team Trust and Dynamics

The host probes deeper into the implications of such behavior:

Unknown Host [03:05]:
"And of course this is now the estimation is, if I understood you correctly, larger, longer than what the team had said it would take, right?"

Gosia confirms and elaborates on how this manipulation erodes trust:

Gosia Smoleńska [04:03]:
"For me, it's like, where is the trust? You are experts in your field and I am expert in my field and I do trust you. But you also have to trust me when I'm telling you that, for example, we have no budget for one more person."

This action not only disenfranchises the team but also places undue responsibility on the PO, distancing the team from ownership of their estimates and decisions.

4. Handling Poor Product Owner Behavior

When confronted with the PO's actions, Gosia took proactive steps to address the issue:

Gosia Smoleńska [05:07]:
"I did challenge him on that. Like, why didn't you challenge the team?"

Despite initial resistance, Gosia persisted in challenging the PO's decisions, encouraging him to empathize with the team and recognize the importance of transparency. This approach aimed to cultivate a culture of mutual respect and open communication.

However, the situation revealed deeper insecurities and fears on the PO's part, particularly concerning budget constraints and customer relations. Gosia emphasizes the necessity of addressing such underlying issues to restore trust:

Gosia Smoleńska [07:15]:
"He was expressing the fears that, oh, customers will not give me more money anymore if we will fail."

5. Celebrating Excellent Product Owners

Transitioning from negative experiences, Gosia shares her experiences with exemplary Product Owners who excel in building and maintaining trust within their teams:

Gosia Smoleńska [09:12]:
"...they were always open, they were always straight to the point with the team and they were always presenting the customer's voice to the team."

These POs demonstrated unwavering trust in their teams, facilitated open dialogue, and actively involved customers to provide genuine feedback. Their transparent approach ensured that the team remained aligned with both customer needs and company goals.

6. Exemplary Practices of Top Product Owners

Gosia provides concrete examples of what made these POs exceptional:

• Involving Customers Directly:
  They invited actual customers to interact with the team, sharing both positive experiences and challenges. This direct feedback loop helped the team understand the real-world impact of their work.

  Gosia Smoleńska [11:45]:
  "He was inviting actual customers to talk to the team and tell them, 'Hey, this is what customer wants. This is what we think we will be delivering.'"

• Aligning Features with Business Goals:
  By conducting "jobs to be done" analyses, these POs ensured that features aligned with the company's vision and strategy, making informed decisions about feature prioritization.

• Transparent Reporting:
  Every quarter, the PO presented how each feature contributed financially to the company, whether through increased earnings or highlighting areas of loss. This transparency reinforced the significance of the team's work and its direct impact on the business.

  Gosia Smoleńska [12:51]:
  "Every quarter when we were closing quarter, he was presenting how our features contributed financially to the company."

These practices not only fostered trust but also empowered teams by providing clarity and purpose in their work.

7. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

As the episode wraps up, Gosia emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and open communication in the role of a Product Owner. She highlights that fostering a trusting environment leads to more engaged teams, better decision-making, and ultimately, successful project outcomes.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own practices as POs, considering whether they are empowering their teams or inadvertently creating barriers to trust and collaboration.

8. About Gosia Smoleńska

Gosia Smoleńska is an accomplished Agile Coach and Certified Scrum Master specializing in Kanban and Cultural Differences workshops. She is active on LinkedIn and welcomes connections for discussions on Agile methodologies and team dynamics.

Key Quotes from the Episode

• Gosia Smoleńska [00:58]:
  "The product owner stayed in the meeting room and he swipes the items on the wall because he thinks that estimates from the team are too small."

• Unknown Host [03:05]:
  "And of course this is now the estimation is, if I understood you correctly, larger, longer than what the team had said it would take, right?"

• Gosia Smoleńska [04:03]:
  "Where is the trust? You are experts in your field and I am expert in my field and I do trust you."

• Gosia Smoleńska [05:07]:
  "I did challenge him on that. Like, why didn't you challenge the team?"

• Gosia Smoleńska [09:12]:
  "They were always open, they were always straight to the point with the team and they were always presenting the customer's voice to the team."

Final Thoughts

This episode of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast offers valuable lessons on the significance of trust in the Product Owner role. By sharing real-world examples of both poor and outstanding PO behaviors, Gosia Smoleńska provides actionable insights for Scrum Masters and POs aiming to enhance team dynamics and project success. Whether you're grappling with trust issues within your team or striving to embody the qualities of an exceptional Product Owner, this episode serves as an essential guide to navigating and excelling in the Agile landscape.

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