CTO Series: How Open Strategy and Agile Practices Drive Success at NorthCode With Ismo Aro

Bernard Agrest: One-on-One Insights—Building Change Strategy Through Individual Conversations Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. When faced with a tool that needed complete rebuilding rather than more "duct-tape" features, Bernard knew that disruption was inevitable—but where to start? Through extensive one-on-one conversations with employees and stakeholders, he discovered that teams didn't understand their work was cyclical, and more importantly, that the onboarding team was central to the entire process. By starting the transformation with this pivotal team and focusing on training and user adoption, the new tool provided immediate organizational impact with data-driven decision making. Bernard's approach demonstrates that successful change management starts with understanding the true workflow and identifying the critical connection points that can drive the most significant positive impact. Self-reflection Question: In your current change initiatives, have you identified which team or process serves as the central hub that could accelerate transformation across the entire organization? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Bernard Agrest Bernard currently leads a major software implementation at University of Wisconsin—Madison Medical School, serving over 10,000 employees. Previously, he built a PMO and led Data and Learning at Teach For America. His journey began redesigning operations for a Veteran Service Organization, where he co-led national initiatives and launched a new alumni program. You can link with Bernard Agrest on LinkedIn.

2 Juli 13min

Bernard Agrest: Avoiding Hard Conversations—When High-Performing Agile Teams Self-Destruct Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernard describes how a high-performing, fun-loving team began to unravel when a new member joined who wasn't delivering on their commitments. Instead of addressing the performance issue directly, team members started picking up the slack, avoiding the difficult conversation that needed to happen. As morale dropped and people checked out, Bernard realized the team was paralyzed by fear of confrontation and assumptions that raising the issue would be ignored. This experience taught him that individual performance problems quickly become whole-team problems when left unaddressed, and that strong relationships require the courage to have honest, supportive conversations. Self-reflection Question: What difficult conversation are you avoiding on your team, and what assumptions might be preventing you from addressing it? Featured Book of the Week: The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni Bernard recommends The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni because it helps leaders understand that everyone has specific "genius" areas in different phases of work. When people work outside their natural genius zones, they feel unfulfilled and frustrated. This framework has been invaluable for Bernard in understanding team dynamics—why some teams click naturally while others struggle. By recognizing each person's working genius, leaders can better position team members for success and create more effective, satisfied teams. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Bernard Agrest Bernard currently leads a major software implementation at University of Wisconsin—Madison Medical School, serving over 10,000 employees. Previously, he built a PMO and led Data and Learning at Teach For America. His journey began redesigning operations for a Veteran Service Organization, where he co-led national initiatives and launched a new alumni program. You can link with Bernard Agrest on LinkedIn.

1 Juli 14min

Bernard Agrest: When Stepping Back Becomes Stepping Away—A Leadership Failure Story Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernard shares a powerful story about a critical research project where his instinct to step back and empower his team ultimately led to project failure and personal burnout. When Bernard realized his team wasn't ready for the work ahead, he made the mistake of taking everything on himself rather than building proper feedback loops and ensuring true understanding. Working overtime and feeling guilty about not supporting his team properly, Bernard learned that empowerment isn't about stepping back—it's about creating space to work together. His key insight reveals that it's through doing the work that we discover what work actually needs to be done, and that having people say they "get" the plan doesn't mean they truly understand it. Self-reflection Question: How do you distinguish between genuine team empowerment and abandonment when stepping back from direct involvement in projects? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Bernard Agrest Bernard currently leads a major software implementation at University of Wisconsin—Madison Medical School, serving over 10,000 employees. Previously, he built a PMO and led Data and Learning at Teach For America. His journey began redesigning operations for a Veteran Service Organization, where he co-led national initiatives and launched a new alumni program. You can link with Bernard Agrest on LinkedIn.

30 Juni 15min

Lilia Pulova: Business Case Ownership—The Product Owner's Core Duty Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: Always Present and Inspirational Lilia describes an exceptional Product Owner whose defining characteristic was consistent presence with the team. This presence went beyond just showing up - it was inspirational and made team members genuinely care about their delivery and the product they were building. The Product Owner served as the vital connection between the team and the organization's wider mission, helping everyone understand how their work contributed to the bigger picture. This constant engagement and visibility created a motivated team that took pride in their product development efforts. The Bad Product Owner: Unprepared and Responsibility-Shifting Lilia encountered a Product Owner who exemplified poor practices by consistently arriving at backlog refinement meetings without any preparation, expecting developers to provide business context instead. This approach was fundamentally wrong because developers aren't equipped to discuss business expectations or product direction - that's the Product Owner's responsibility. This individual habitually said "yes" to all tickets without consideration, shifted decision-making responsibility to the team, and relied on architects to manage the product and determine sprint priorities. Product Owners must own the business case rather than delegate it, and keep the business rationale constantly visible to the team. Self-reflection Question: How do you ensure your Product Owner maintains proper preparation and ownership of business decisions rather than shifting these responsibilities to the development team? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Lilia Pulova  Lilia Pulova, a former Business Intelligence Analyst, discovered her passion as a Scrum Master by chance. A natural communicator with a love for languages, she now bridges the gap between business and tech, translating complex needs into streamlined processes that boost productivity and keep teams aligned and focused. You can link with Lilia Pulova on LinkedIn.

27 Juni 12min

Lilia Pulova: Building Self-Sufficient Teams Through Emotional Intelligence Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Lilia defines success for Scrum Masters by asking a simple but powerful question: "Do people feel supported?" Her approach focuses on training teams to take on her responsibilities and make their own decisions. Rather than dictating solutions, she presents options and allows teams to choose their path. Over time, teams learn these options and develop independence in decision-making.  She maintains awareness by monitoring delivery metrics, watching for tickets that take too long, and staying attentive during daily stand-ups. With her primarily remote team keeping cameras open, Lilia reads emotions and body language to identify potential issues early, preventing small conflicts from escalating into major problems. Self-reflection Question: How well do you read the emotional state of your team members, and what early warning signs might you be overlooking? Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: 1-on-1 Retrospective Lilia advocates for the 1-on-1 retrospective as her most effective format, explaining that people open up more in private conversations than in group settings. While group retrospectives can work well with smooth conversation flow, she finds that structured formats don't always suit every team - sometimes the "lack of format" creates better outcomes. The key to successful 1-on-1 retrospectives is building strong relationships and establishing trust, which she considers the most important foundation for effective retrospectives. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Lilia Pulova  Lilia Pulova, a former Business Intelligence Analyst, discovered her passion as a Scrum Master by chance. A natural communicator with a love for languages, she now bridges the gap between business and tech, translating complex needs into streamlined processes that boost productivity and keep teams aligned and focused. You can link with Lilia Pulova on LinkedIn.

26 Juni 13min

Lilia Pulova: Leading an Agile Transformation—The Power of Patience and Small Wins Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Lilia shares her experience leading a genuine Agile transformation in an organization just beginning their journey. Faced with widespread skepticism and resistance, she encountered impatient stakeholders demanding immediate results during the challenging first 2-3 months. The breakthrough came after two months when stakeholders finally witnessed tangible improvements in the application and faster release cycles. Patience emerged as the critical skill that carried the transformation through its most difficult phase. Lilia emphasizes the importance of conducting numerous one-on-one conversations and consistently praising teams while celebrating small wins to maintain motivation throughout the change process. Self-reflection Question: How do you maintain team morale and stakeholder confidence during the uncertain early phases of organizational change? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Lilia Pulova  Lilia Pulova, a former Business Intelligence Analyst, discovered her passion as a Scrum Master by chance. A natural communicator with a love for languages, she now bridges the gap between business and tech, translating complex needs into streamlined processes that boost productivity and keep teams aligned and focused. You can link with Lilia Pulova on LinkedIn.

25 Juni 11min

Lilia Pulova: Leadership Red Flag—When Managers Care More About Career Than Team Success Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Lilia shares the story of when she worked with a troubled team where all projects were running late. As a junior Scrum Master, she struggled to identify that the root cause was a manager more focused on career advancement than team success. This manager only paid attention to team members who could provide exposure to higher management, dismissing other requests with "let's solve that later." Integration problems mounted, key people were absent, and when COVID arrived, the team was ultimately disbanded. This experience taught Lilia crucial lessons about taking ownership of team success and viewing the Scrum Master role as a continuous learning journey in leadership. Self-reflection Question: How well do you understand the human dynamics within your team, and what signals might you be missing about individual motivations? Featured Book of the Week: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Lilia recommends "48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene for its insights into human behavior and understanding the consequences of our actions when working with others. As Scrum Masters who interact with humans daily, this book helps develop awareness of interpersonal dynamics. One key principle Lilia applies is "always say less than necessary" - helping teams make decisions rather than overwhelming them with too much information or direction. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Lilia Pulova  Lilia Pulova, a former Business Intelligence Analyst, discovered her passion as a Scrum Master by chance. A natural communicator with a love for languages, she now bridges the gap between business and tech, translating complex needs into streamlined processes that boost productivity and keep teams aligned and focused. You can link with Lilia Pulova on LinkedIn.

24 Juni 14min

Lilia Pulova: When Architects Push Solutions—Learning to Disagree but Commit in Agile Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Lilia shares a challenging situation where an architect pushed a complex solution that she felt might be too difficult for her less-experienced team. Despite having two alternative solutions that better suited the team's capabilities, she chose to let go of her concerns and try the architect's approach. This decision required significant adaptation and ongoing conversations with her frustrated team members. By informing her manager about the team's frustration level and working closely with the team to adapt the solution to their context, Lilia demonstrates the valuable principle of "disagree but commit" - sometimes you need to let go of your preferred approach and learn from trying something different. Self-reflection Question: When have you had to set aside your preferred solution to support a team decision, and what did you learn from that experience? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Lilia Pulova  Lilia Pulova, a former Business Intelligence Analyst, discovered her passion as a Scrum Master by chance. A natural communicator with a love for languages, she now bridges the gap between business and tech, translating complex needs into streamlined processes that boost productivity and keep teams aligned and focused. You can link with Lilia Pulova on LinkedIn.

23 Juni 13min