Author: Ann

Can I be a Scrum Master if I am an introvert?

Introvert Scrum Master

A Scrum Master can be an introvert too

Why not? I am an introvert and I met other Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches who were also introverts. We are doing FINE!

 

Some people won’t believe that I’m an introvert. Just because I am friendly it doesn’t mean I am an extrovert. I don’t go to parties to become the center of attention. I don’t seek attention. By the way, I used to be really shy. Yep! And guess what, many people that I talk to and tell me they used to be shy, I didn’t believe it either. But I do get it, look at me, I worked a lot consciously to overcome my shyness, and I am doing a whole lot better. 

 

If there are things you want to change about yourself, it requires YOU to work constantly on it. You don’t magically change overnight.

 

The thing you have to ask yourself is: what exactly is it that I find difficult in the role of the Scrum Master? 

  • Is it having to deal with conflicts?
  • Is it doing presentations?
  • Is it dealing with people with difficult personalities?

 

Break it down to the most basic statements. Then the fun part starts.

 

When you ask yourself the following questions, close your eyes and imagine that difficulty is gone.

  • If I didn’t have that difficulty, who would I be? 
  • If I had no issue dealing with conflict, would I enjoy the role of a Scrum Master?
  • If I was great at doing presentations, would I want to continue as a Scrum Master?
  • If the difficulty was now easy, what would I do next?
  • How do I feel once this difficulty ceases to exist?

 

Do you feel lighter? The great thing is that you can overcome that difficulty. You can find help, a friend, a mentor, books, youtube videos to help you overcome it. But you and only you can do the work. So get to it! Get rid of that obstacle that’s preventing you to be that great person that is YOU.

Overwhelmed in your new job as a Scrum Master?

Have you started your new job and feel complete lost? –> that’s normal

Do you feel like there is so much to know, to learn ? –> that’s normal

Do you feel like you know nothing? –> that’s normal

Do you already feel like quitting? –> that’s normal^

Do you feel overwhelmed? –> that’s normal

 

The company wants you to be up and running as early as possible so your first few weeks will probably be in meetings with people teaching you a whole bunch of stuff about the organization, your tasks, the people. Since everyone is busy, they will book your time as early as possible and since you aren’t that busy yet well your calendar is empty and will soon be booked.

 

You probably don’t know this but no one expects you to remember everything , really , NOOOOO ONE. The people talking to you have been in that company longer than you so it’s normal they sound like they know their sh*t. Do you really think that they expect you to know in a few days what took them years to learn?

They do expect you to pay attention, so make sure you write down notes. Figure out if it’s better for you to type it or handwrite it. Find a better way to take notes, would drawing images help and save you time? Review your notes after the meeting or at the end of the day and add the details then while it’s still fresh in your mind. While your at it, why don’t you add your impression of the person who talked, what else did you notice, what action items do you want to do, what other things do you need to learn?. You don’t have to write every single word being said to you, but you need to understand the big picture, ask questions. Feel free to tell the other person: “by the way, I’ll probably come back to you for more questions”. Guess what? 99% of the time, they will say “yes, feel free to ask”. So take a deep breather, listen to the other person, take some notes, review your notes later on.

 

When they are talking to you, double-check if they have expectations, that’s a big asterisk on your TO DO list. If a team member is complaining about something, take note and that’s for you RETROSPECTIVE list. 

One big advice I strongly recommend is to take notes of what you are feeling in this first few weeks and regularly…You will notice that after a while, you feel less overwhelmed, you are understanding more, you are getting to know more people..Finally, it’s no longer the same feeling of being overwhelmed 🙂 Keep this notes or diary and read them next time you switch jobs and start feeling overwhelmed again. You’ll have proof that it’s normal and that it will get better with time.

Scrum Master Interview Questions

ster

 

Do you get anxious before the interview or do you get excited? Here are a few items to help you be more prepared.

When you are just starting as a Scrum Master, the type of questions you will get will mostly be about Scrum Theory. Definitely read the Scrum Guide again before the interview!

The interviewers will also ask behavioral questions. Even though you haven’t worked as a Scrum Master before, think about situations (at school or in a previous job) where you had to :

  • deal with conflict
  • explained something in a unique way
  • what challenges you faced, how did you overcome it

Some companies still ask these questions:

  • what are your 3 top strengths
  • what are your 3 top weaknesses
  • who are YOU? (basically, prepare a few minutes speech about you and relate it to why you are a good fit to the role of a Scrum Master, and rehearse that pitch)

Make sure you get a good night’s sleep beforehand!