Many people think and consider a person’s “Attitude” and “Behavior” to be the same, but they are not. A person’s “Attitude” represents how that person thinks or feels about someone or something. A person’s “Behavior” represents his/her reaction to a particular action, person, or environment. A person’s attitude affects thoughts whereas his/her behavior affects actions.
You may not be able to change a person’s attitude but you may try to change his/her behavior at the workplace. Scrum is a team based work culture. There may be various behavioral issues that exist in Scrum Teams. Being a Scrum Master if you can successfully address those behavioral issues, the team can become a high performance team. Addressing behavioral issues in a Scrum team requires a combination of proactive measures and effective interventions. Here are some strategies:
Types of human behaviors in a Team based environment:
01.Leadership Behavior:
A person in a team assumes responsibility and volunteers to help. These individuals usually focus on accomplishments and goals.
Encourage this kind of person to take the lead and help others. It helps them to build a healthy network in the team.
02.Creative thinking Behavior:
A person who wants to develop solutions for impossible problems. These individuals want to be innovative.
To get more benefit with this person, balance their work with regular routine work and a portion of innovative work. It keeps them motivated.
03.Isolating Behavior:
A person who wants to be an individual contributor. These people want to work alone and complete end to end on their own.
While you encourage them to work independently with clear guidelines, it will be good to pair them for complex work with other team members.
04.People pleasing Behavior:
A person who generally wants to avoid conflict. These individuals focus on relationships building and they want everyone to like them and be positive.
You can acknowledge their accomplishments and also help them understand the priorities of their tasks before they help others.
05.Playful Behavior:
A person who is always joyful and playful and creates fun at work place. As long as this person is also contributing the tasks allocated for him/her, there is no problem with this behavior.
Make them part of the team building activities and let them lead those activities.
06.Introvert Behavior:
A person who is quiet and not outspoken. Usually they want to work alone, they will be well performed provided all the details are given clearly.
Make them part of pairing activities to get them out of the introvert behavior.
07.Analytical Behavior:
A person who wants to analyze situations and loves challenges. They usually want to work on predictable tasks or work.
Let them take lead in complex problems where the team is having challenges.
08.Referent leadership Behavior:
A person who is a natural leader in the workplace. People usually admire him/her for their capabilities and confidence. Other members of the team follow them without any resistance.
Encourage them to share their knowledge from time to time with others. It helps to spread their knowledge within other team members.
09.Aggressive Behavior:
A person discharges acts of unplanned anger or intimidation to meet their own needs.
Be patient with this type of person. Often having a one-on-one so that they feel safe.
10.Assertive Behavior:
A person expresses their workplace feelings and desires appropriately. Their communication is direct and they respect the other person’s opinions also.
Be open, transparent and direct with this type of person.
11.Passive Communication Behavior:
A person who chooses not to express their workplace thoughts or feelings or observations.
Clearly let them know the expectations such as deadlines, communicate them with clear guidelines, engage them regularly to share the workplace opportunities for them, and make them part of the meetings and ask them if they have any view or suggestions.
12.Passive aggressive Behavior:
A person who is passive and also aggressive. That means they act out their anger indirectly such as intentionally delaying things or not giving required information etc.
Encourage for open and transparent communication, create working agreements and explicit workplace guidelines.
General guidelines to address behavioral issues at workplace:
Clear Expectations: Ensure that team members understand the expected behaviors and values of the team. This can be achieved through regular communication and setting expectations during team meetings.
Establish Team Norms: Collaboratively establish team norms or ground rules that outline acceptable behaviors and communication standards within the team. Hold everyone accountable for adhering to these norms. This can be done as part of creating team working agreements.
Open Communication Channels: Encourage open communication within the team. Create an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their concerns, ideas, and feedback. Regularly scheduled team meetings, such as sprint retrospectives, are an excellent opportunity to discuss behavioral issues openly.
Regular Retrospectives: Conduct regular retrospectives to reflect on team dynamics and identify any behavioral issues. Encourage open and honest communication during these meetings to address concerns.
Active Listening: Practice active listening to understand the root cause of behavioral issues. Allow team members to express themselves fully without interruption, and show empathy towards their concerns.
Provide Constructive Feedback: Address behavioral issues promptly and directly by providing constructive feedback. Focus on specific behaviors rather than personal characteristics, and offer suggestions for improvement.
Coaching and Mentoring: Provide coaching and mentoring to team members who may be struggling with certain behaviors. This can help them understand the impact of their actions and develop strategies for improvement.
Address Conflict early: Address conflicts and disagreements within the team promptly and constructively. Encourage open dialogue to resolve conflicts and find mutually acceptable solutions.
Team Building Activities: Organize team building activities to foster trust and collaboration among team members. This can help improve communication and reduce conflicts.
Provide Training and Development Opportunities: Offer training and development opportunities to help team members improve their interpersonal skills, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. Invest in workshops or coaching sessions focused on teamwork and collaboration.
Lead by Example: As a Scrum Master or team leader, demonstrate the desired behaviors through your actions. Set the team’s tone by leading through example
Training and Development: Provide training opportunities for team members to improve their interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. This can help them better navigate difficult situations and work effectively with others.
Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate team achievements to boost morale and reinforce positive behaviors.
Addressing Root Causes: Dig deeper to understand the root causes of behavioral issues within the team. Sometimes, underlying factors such as lack of clarity, role ambiguity, or personal conflicts may contribute to behavioral issues.
Encourage Collaboration: Encourage collaboration and teamwork by fostering a culture of mutual respect and support. Emphasize the importance of working together towards common goals and celebrating collective achievements.
Encourage Self-Reflection: Encourage team members to reflect on their own behaviors and how they contribute to team dynamics. Self-awareness is essential for personal growth and can lead to positive changes in behavior.
Seek External Support: If behavioral issues persist despite internal efforts, consider seeking external support such as professional coaching or mediation to address the underlying issues.
Continuous Improvement: Treat addressing behavioral issues as an ongoing process of continuous improvement. Regularly revisit and reassess the team’s dynamics and be proactive in addressing any emerging issues before they escalate.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively address behavioral issues within your Scrum team and create a positive and productive work environment. If you want to know more about practical challenges and real-time scenarios for Scrum Masters about behavioral issues, join our “CSM Online Training” or “A CSM Online Training”
To further enhance your understanding and practical application of these strategies in the context of Scrum and Agile project or product development environments, consider enrolling in our comprehensive Certified Scrum Master (CSM) course in Hyderabad. Our training program offers invaluable insights and hands-on experience to help you navigate real-time scenarios and challenges faced by Scrum Masters in addressing behavioral issues within Scrum teams. Additionally, if you’re looking to expand your Agile knowledge and skills, we also offer agile courses in Hyderabad. Join us to elevate your expertise and propel your career forward in the dynamic world of Agile and Scrum.
