How Top Scrum Masters Are Selected by Their Teams

TL;DR; The most effective Scrum Masters are chosen by their teams based on trust, experience, and proven leadership, not assigned from outside. Teams naturally follow those who have already guided them through challenges and earned their respect. To ensure real impact and avoid resistance, let the team identify who they trust to lead as Scrum Master.

Published on 19 February 2025

Written by Martin Hinshelwood

1 minute read

https://nkdagility.com/resources/dqFTsIhZF_A

The best Scrum Masters don’t apply for the role—they are chosen by their peers.

They’ve earned trust, respect, and credibility through years of hands-on experience. They have seen the inner workings of Scrum Teams, understood the dynamics, and proven themselves as effective leaders.

These are the individuals who have facilitated complex conversations, resolved conflicts, and guided teams through turbulent times. If you want a Scrum Master who can drive real change, look at who your team already turns to for guidance.

Assigning the role to someone external without the team’s buy-in is a recipe for friction, not agility. Trust matters and the team’s voice matters even more. An authentic Scrum Master emerges naturally, gaining authority through action, not assignment.

Also published on: LinkedIn

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