SCRUMMASTER AS A SERVANT LEADER

Luis Gonçalves
Jul 28, 2017 · 2 min read

In the SCRUM world, a ScrumMaster is often known as a Servant Leader, but I believe that very few people know what a Servant Leader is.

Based on this assumption, I am writing this blog post to explain what a Servant Leader is and what the characteristics of a good servant leader are (in this case, a Scrum Master). I will start by using the Greenleaf definition of what a servant leader is:

The servant leader is a servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The best test is: do those served to grow as persons: do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit, or, at least, not be further deprived? (Greenleaf, 1977/2002, p. 27)

Larry Spears in his article: “Character and Servant Leadership: Ten Characteristics of Effective, Caring Leaders” explains that servant leadership seeks to involve others in decision making, is strongly based in ethical and caring behaviour and enhances the growth of workers while improving the caring and quality of organisational life.

In the same article, Larry Spears explains that a good servant leader has ten characteristics that are of critical importance:

Listening

The servant leader must be willing to listen and identify the will of a group. Hearing it will give him the opportunity to clarify that will. The leader must be able to listen and reflect on what is being said; this is an important aspect of being a servant leader.

If you want to continue you can see the rest of the article on my blog: https://luis-goncalves.com/scrummaster-servant-leader/

My name is Luis Gonçalves and I am an Organisational Transformation Coachand I love to write about Agile Retrospectives, Agile Retrospectives Ideas, Scrum, the role Scrum Master, and Agile in general.

I have been creating Scrum Master Training for the agile community. If you are interested in knowing more or even working with me you can find me here: Agile Coach München.

Luis Gonçalves

Written by

Luis Gonçalves is an Entrepreneur, Author & International Keynote Speaker. As a Management Consultant, he works with Senior Executives to improve Organisations

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