Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile Storytelling from the Trenches

Episode Summary: "The 90-Day Rule—Building Trust Before Disrupting the Status Quo | Joel Bancroft-Connors"

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host: Vasco Duarte, Agile Coach, Certified Scrum Master, Certified Product Owner
Guest: Joel Bancroft-Connors, Agile Practitioner and Change Leader

Introduction

In this compelling episode of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, host Vasco Duarte welcomes Joel Bancroft-Connors to delve into the intricacies of leading change within an entrenched organizational structure. Titled "The 90-Day Rule—Building Trust Before Disrupting the Status Quo," Joel shares his firsthand experience of introducing Agile methodologies in a traditional manufacturing company.

The Challenge of Leading Change

Joel begins by recounting his first role post-certification, where he was hired as a program manager at a longstanding hard drive manufacturing company. Despite his background in program and project management, Joel was eager to apply his newly acquired Scrum and Agile knowledge.

Joel (01:22): "I was being hired into a decades-old hard drive manufacturing company. They had bought a startup to lead their branded products group, essentially building consumer hard drives. My role was to bridge the traditional enterprise with the agile startup."

The company's rigid adherence to Six Sigma processes posed a significant challenge to implementing Agile practices. Joel recognized that a direct, forceful introduction of Scrum would likely face resistance and failure.

Building Trust Through Patience and Listening

Joel emphasizes the importance of trust in facilitating change. Drawing inspiration from a principle he learned from ManageTools, Joel adopted the 90-Day Rule, which advocates for doing no harm in the initial phase and formulating a change plan subsequently.

Joel (08:35): "In the first couple of weeks, I didn't try and do anything other than sit down and listen. I scheduled interviews with every single person I'd be interacting with, asking the same questions to understand their perspectives."

This approach allowed Joel to build credibility without making immediate disruptions. His methodical listening and understanding fostered a sense of trust and openness among team members.

Joel (09:58): "I created trust because they didn't try and change stuff right away. About three weeks in, my boss noticed that everyone was happy with my approach, even though I hadn't implemented any changes yet."

Streamlining Communication Processes

One of Joel's early initiatives involved overhauling the company's cumbersome reporting process. The Vice President of Product Development was spending excessive time updating a massive PowerPoint presentation for weekly status reports.

Joel (03:00): "I turned that 100-megabyte PowerPoint slide into a single Excel spreadsheet that could be printed and distributed. This streamlined our communication and focused our discussions on actionable items rather than mere status updates."

By adopting principles from the daily Scrum meetings, Joel shifted the focus towards achieving tangible results, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness in team communications.

Introducing Scrum and Achieving Remarkable Results

After establishing a foundation of trust and streamlined communication, Joel identified bottlenecks within the software team responsible for adding value to the hard drives. Recognizing the need for structured Agile practices, he proposed Scrum training to enhance the team's commitment and delivery capabilities.

Joel (06:30): "I suggested bringing in Scrum training to help the software team meet their commitments more effectively. My boss trusted my judgment, so we proceeded without prior Agile mentions."

The introduction of Scrum transformed the software team's productivity, reducing product development cycles from six to nine months down to just three months. This significant improvement underscored the effectiveness of Joel's strategic and patient approach to change management.

The Importance of Purpose and Ownership

Joel underscores the role of purpose in motivating teams, referencing Dan Pink's "Drive" which highlights autonomy, mastery, and purpose as key motivators.

Joel (10:28): "Purpose connects us back to 'Start with Why.' If people don't know why they're here or why their work matters, the initiative will fail."

He echoes John Doerr's sentiment, advocating for creating missionaries, not mercenaries—individuals driven by understanding and belief in the organization's mission rather than mere obligation.

Joel (10:45): "If you want to build a ship, don't tell people to cut down trees; inspire them with the longing for the endless wonder of the sea."

This philosophy fosters ownership and intrinsic motivation, leading to a more engaged and productive team.

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Patience is Crucial: Building trust before implementing changes ensures smoother transitions and greater acceptance of new methodologies.

2. Listen and Understand: Engaging with team members to comprehend their perspectives lays the groundwork for effective change.

3. Streamline Communication: Simplifying reporting processes can lead to more focused and productive meetings.

4. Introduce Change Strategically: Timing and method of introducing Agile practices can significantly impact their success.

5. Foster Purpose: Ensuring that team members understand the 'why' behind their tasks enhances motivation and ownership.

6. Continuous Learning: Emulating practices from experienced Agile practitioners and ongoing education are vital for sustained improvement.

Conclusion

Joel Bancroft-Connors' journey highlights the essence of leading change with empathy, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of team dynamics. By adhering to the 90-Day Rule and prioritizing trust and purpose, Joel successfully transformed a traditional company's approach to product development, showcasing the profound impact of thoughtful Agile implementation.

Listeners are encouraged to adopt similar principles in their Agile transformations, emphasizing patience, communication, and purpose-driven leadership to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

For more insightful episodes and actionable Agile practices, visit scrummastertoolbox.org and explore the Scrum Master Toolbox membership.