Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: "Leadership Red Flag—When Managers Care More About Career Than Team Success" with Lilia Pulova

Host: Vasco Duarte
Guest: Lilia Pulova
Release Date: June 24, 2025

1. Introduction to Team Tuesday and Inspirational Reads

Vasco Duarte kicks off the episode by welcoming Lilia Pulova to this week's Team Tuesday segment. As part of their tradition, they also delve into books that have significantly influenced their professional journeys.

Book Highlight: "48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene

• Lilia's Insight:
  Lilia shares that "48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene is an unconventional yet profoundly impactful book for her career as a Scrum Master. She emphasizes that the book isn't about exerting power but understanding human behavior and psychology. This knowledge aids Scrum Masters in navigating team dynamics effectively.

• Notable Quote (02:54):
  "Always say less than necessary. That means give the team a chance to get responsibility to be accountable for a decision they're making for the project they're handling."
  — Lilia Pulova

2. Applying "48 Laws of Power" in Scrum Mastery

Host Discussion:

Vasco and Lilia delve deeper into how specific laws from Greene's book apply to Scrum Master roles. Lilia highlights the importance of restraint in communication to empower teams.

• Key Takeaway:
  By limiting directives, Scrum Masters allow teams the autonomy to make decisions, fostering accountability and ownership.

3. Team Tuesday Story: Navigating Leadership Challenges

Context:

Lilia recounts a challenging experience from her early career as a Scrum Master. She describes a team plagued by consistent delays and inefficiencies, which she later identifies as stemming from managerial shortcomings.

Detailed Breakdown:

• Team Dynamics:

  • The team was cross-functional, comprising developers, product owners, and designers.
  • Issue Identified: The manager prioritized his career advancement over the team's success, focusing disproportionately on the design segment to garner favor with upper management.

• Managerial Behavior:

  • Provided ample resources and training to designers.
  • Dismissed team concerns about project delays, contractor issues, and meeting attendance, stating, "you are their manager. You have to tell them because I'm not in the position." (05:10)

• Consequences:

  • Lack of unity as team members worked in silos, each handling their own tasks without cohesive integration.
  • The resulting disarray led to project failures and ultimately, the team being disbanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Notable Quote (07:57):
  "He just created the mess and then he left it."
  — Lilia Pulova

4. Team and Individual Reactions

Challenges Faced:

• Team Morale:
  Team members expressed frustration during one-on-one sessions with Lilia, venting their concerns about the lack of managerial support.

• Management's Response:
  When Lilia escalated the issues, management responded dismissively, urging her to lead the team despite her position as a Scrum Master, stating, "I can help to give the direction, but I cannot lead this team because I don't have a position to do that." (08:46)

• Impact on the Team:
  The team's inability to address systemic issues without managerial intervention led to dwindling morale and eventual dissolution.

• Notable Quote (09:37):
  "He was basically saying it's your problem, not mine."
  — Lilia Pulova

5. Embracing Leadership as a Scrum Master

Host's Reflection:

Vasco discusses the delicate balance Scrum Masters must maintain between facilitating team success and stepping into leadership roles when necessary. He highlights the potential conflicts that arise when Scrum Masters take on responsibilities traditionally held by managers.

Lilia's Growth:

• Early Career Challenges:
  As a junior Scrum Master, Lilia struggled to identify and address the root causes of her team's issues due to limited experience and authority.

• Evolved Approach:
  With time and experience, Lilia learned to assert leadership by taking decisive actions to guide her team, even in the absence of managerial support.

• Notable Quote (11:41):
  "I just stood up in front of the team and I told them, okay, guys, that's how we're going to do it."
  — Lilia Pulova

6. Lessons Learned and Career Implications

Key Insights:

• Proactive Leadership:
  Scrum Masters may need to adopt leadership roles proactively to ensure team cohesion and project success, especially in the absence of supportive management.

• Career Development:
  The role of a Scrum Master serves as a foundation for future leadership positions such as Product Owner, Team Lead, or Engineering Manager. Embracing leadership challenges can prepare Scrum Masters for broader roles within organizations.

• Notable Quote (12:05):
  "It's important to look at our Scrum Master career... as a preparation to take on other types of roles."
  — Vasco Duarte

7. Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode underscores the critical role Scrum Masters play in fostering team success and the necessity of sometimes stepping beyond traditional boundaries to lead effectively. Through Lilia's experiences, listeners gain valuable insights into handling managerial challenges, the importance of proactive leadership, and the continuous growth inherent in the Scrum Master role.

Final Thought:
Empowering teams by balancing guidance with autonomy is essential. Scrum Masters must navigate organizational dynamics thoughtfully to ensure both team and personal career growth.

References:

• Podcast Episode: "Leadership Red Flag—When Managers Care More About Career Than Team Success" with Lilia Pulova
• Book Mentioned: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene