A scrum master demands interpersonal skills.

The role of a scrum master is a challenging one.  Any day, you are confronted with new challenges and always face the pressure to deliver software.  You are pulled from the top by the demands of business leadership.  From below, you are leading your team and helping them improve.  I have been reviewing numerous career postings on the internet lately and noticed an exciting trend.  Postings have mentioned the need for interpersonal skills in passing.  I want to argue that interpersonal skills are essential to being a scrum master.

When you look at a job posting for a scrum master, you often see references to project management systems, years of experience, and relevant industry experience. Usually, certifications are requested from the various accrediting agencies involved with Agile. The final bullet point is the requirement for excellent interpersonal skills.

Being a good scrum master demands interpersonal skills.  You spend time coaching and educating others about Agile and Scrum. The scrum master must be able to say no to others without sounding dismissive.  It requires solid interpersonal skills to have empathy for others.  A scrum master must speak truth to power and have the integrity to back up those words.  All these interpersonal skills and a scrum master who does not have them are in trouble.  Earning a scrum master certification is straightforward; being able to do the job requires hard work and a growth mindset.  

You cannot check off boxes and have a scrum master arrive to improve your team. It is a process of trial and error. A team will take two steps forward and then fail embarrassingly. It is not a traditional career path, but it is infinitely satisfying. The foundation is excellent interpersonal skills.

Until next time.