Overcoming Scrum Team Silence

Two Scrums Up

When silence becomes a pattern on a Scrum team — mayday! — we have a problem. Identifying different types of employee silence and understanding how to address them is the first step towards reviving team voice. Whether it’s fear, embarrassment, a narrow sense of ethical responsibility, or lacking room to speak up, learn how silence can be destructive and how to work with your team to move past it.

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For you to use right away:

• Read: Destructive role of employee silence in organizational success. (Beheshtifar, Borhani, & Moghadam, 2012)
• Listen: How to Build Psychological Safety with Amy Edmondson (Coaching for Leaders)

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Show Norms

• Be transparent about where we're at. Only record show when we're both ready.
• Tell me where your head is at. This will help us adapt to our moods and tones.
• Share the mic. Push for equity of voice in recording and editing.
• Respect each other's privacy.
• Use 'I'. Avoid broad generalizations.
• Speak your truth. Stay positive, but honest.
• Ask WHY. If something's unclear, we push each other to clarify.
• We make decisions together. Nothing goes live unless we are both happy.
• We will make mistakes, tell me when so I can learn.

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Feb 2021: Alley is hiring! More info at https://alley.co/careers
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