Scrum Masters and Product Owners are held accountable for results. But here’s the contradiction—how can you be accountable for something you have no control over?
Too often, Scrum Masters are expected to ensure team effectiveness without the authority to remove impediments, challenge dysfunction, or enforce alignment. Influence is important, but it’s not enough. Leadership without control is just a suggestion.
If the Product Owner’s authority to prioritise and maximise value is accepted, why do we hesitate to acknowledge the Scrum Master’s authority to uphold agility and effectiveness?
Accountability without authority is an empty expectation. If we want better outcomes, we need to empower those responsible for delivering them.
Are Scrum Masters in your organisation truly empowered or just expected to “coach” from the sidelines?
If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
Genus Breeding Ltd
Slaughter and May
Emerson Process Management
Brandes Investment Partners L.P.
Big Data for Humans
Higher Education Statistics Agency
Deliotte
Schlumberger
Kongsberg Maritime
Illumina
Freadom
Akaditi
Hubtel Ghana
Sage
Lockheed Martin
NIT A/S
Trayport
Jack Links
Washington Department of Transport
Washington Department of Enterprise Services
New Hampshire Supreme Court
Royal Air Force
Department of Work and Pensions (UK)
Ghana Police Service
Higher Education Statistics Agency
NIT A/S
Boxit Document Solutions
Trayport
Lean SA
Teleplan