Episode Summary: When Architects Push Solutions—Learning to Disagree but Commit in Agile Teams

Podcast: Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches
Host: Vasco Duarte, Agile Coach, Certified Scrum Master, Certified Product Owner
Guest: Lilia Pulova
Release Date: June 23, 2025

Introduction to Lilia Pulova

Vasco Duarte kicks off the episode by introducing Lilia Pulova, a Scrum Master based in Montreal, Canada. Lilia’s journey from a business intelligence analyst to an Agile Coach is both inspiring and relatable, especially for listeners who have transitioned into Agile roles.

Key Highlights:

• Career Transition: Lilia moved to Canada and shifted her career path, obtaining a diploma in Business Intelligence and database analysis. This education paved the way for her initial role as a Business Intelligence Analyst.
• Entry into Scrum Mastery: An open Scrum Master position in her team sparked her interest. Under the mentorship of an exceptional team PM, Lilia learned the fundamentals of Scrum and discovered her passion for Agile coaching.

Notable Quote:

"After that try, I realized that's what I want to do because my natural organizational skills came very handy here." — Lilia Pulova [02:07]

Fail Monday: Navigating Conflict with Senior Architects

The conversation delves into a pivotal experience Lilia had while working as a Scrum Master, highlighting the challenges of balancing team dynamics with organizational decisions.

The Conflict Scenario:

• Senior Architect's Dominance: A senior architect on Lilia’s team was insistent on a particular solution, which Lilia believed was not the best fit, especially for her diverse team comprising both junior and senior members.
• Proposed Alternatives: Lilia offered two alternative solutions tailored to her team's varying levels of maturity and experience, aiming to facilitate a smoother transition for less experienced members.

Key Insights:

• Disagree but Commit Principle: Lilia emphasizes the importance of voicing disagreements constructively and the necessity of committing to team decisions once they are made.
• Adaptation and Support: Despite her reservations, Lilia committed to supporting the architect’s solution, leading to modifications that better suited her team's needs.

Notable Quotes:

"The story was like when I once told my manager, I do not agree, but I accept your decision." — Lilia Pulova [04:02]
"Sometimes you do have to let go. You do your best to coach, to convince on the best solution. But sometimes if there's too much resistance and too much stubbornness, you have to let them try." — Lilia Pulova [06:50]

Managing Team Dynamics and Feedback

Lilia shares her strategies for handling team frustration and ensuring that feedback loops are maintained between the team and management.

Strategies Employed:

• Transparent Communication: Lilia held a presentation to explain the proposed solution, ensuring the team understood its implications and value.
• Hands-On Support: She provided detailed guidance to her team, helping them navigate the new processes and methodologies introduced by the senior architect.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Recognizing the team's frustration, Lilia engaged in one-on-one and group conversations to gather feedback, which she then communicated to management to seek further adjustments.

Outcomes:

• Team Acceptance: While initial resistance was high, the team gradually accepted the solution as Lilia adapted it to better fit their capabilities.
• Solution Refinement: Through continuous feedback and iterative adjustments, the final implementation was more aligned with the team’s needs, demonstrating effective Agile adaptation.

Notable Quotes:

"I had to take this frustration on me and to make sure that it doesn't hurt the team." — Lilia Pulova [07:39]
"Sometimes we don't have a choice. We just have to accept it." — Lilia Pulova [11:28]

Lessons Learned: Embracing Flexibility in Agile Teams

The episode wraps up with key takeaways from Lilia’s experience, reinforcing the importance of flexibility, communication, and commitment in Agile environments.

Core Lessons:

• Flexibility is Crucial: Even when leaders push for specific solutions, Agile practitioners must remain adaptable and find ways to tailor strategies to their team's unique context.
• Effective Communication: Clear and empathetic communication helps in managing team morale and ensuring that everyone is aligned with the project goals.
• Commitment Beyond Agreement: Embracing decisions, even those initially disagreed upon, fosters a unified team effort and drives collective success.

Conclusion

Vasco Duarte and Lilia Pulova conclude the episode by reiterating the value of the "Disagree but Commit" principle in fostering resilient and cohesive Agile teams. Lilia’s story serves as a powerful example for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches navigating similar challenges in their professional journeys.

Join the Community

Before signing off, Vasco promotes the Scrum Master Toolbox membership, highlighting the extensive resources and community support available to Agile practitioners. However, as per the episode summary guidelines, promotional segments are acknowledged but not detailed here.

Stay Connected:
For more insights and actionable advice, tune into future episodes of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast and consider joining the vibrant community at scrummastertoolbox.org.