When Hierarchy Hinders Team Growth: A Lesson in Listening | Hassan Butt

Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

Hassan Butt: Fostering Growth Mindsets in Hierarchy Driven Organizations

Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.

In this episode, Hassan talks about one of his early experiences with a team struggling with ingrained hierarchy. Senior team members dominated conversations, creating a culture where only the most authoritative voices were heard. However, new team members with a growth mindset challenged this dynamic, leading to conflict. Hassan highlights the importance of listening to all voices, especially newcomers, and encourages leaders to avoid stifling ideas. "Good ideas can come from anywhere," he shares, reminding us to foster an environment of openness and collaboration.

Self-reflection Question: How do you create space for all voices to be heard in your team?

Featured Book of the Week: Coaching Agile Teams by Lyssa Adkins

Hassan recommends Coaching Agile Teams by Lyssa Adkins as a foundational book for Agile practitioners. The book, especially the chapter on "mastering yourself," helped Hassan overcome impostor syndrome and grow more confident in his role. He often recommends this book to others as it provides valuable insights into personal growth and self-awareness, critical for building effective teams.

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About Hassan Butt Hassan builds high-performing teams and unlocks their full potential in his current role as a Scrum Master for a UK FTSE100 Telco. He also serves as an Agile Coach and mentor, supporting others in their professional growth. Hassan is well-known on LinkedIn for sharing valuable content and insights with the Agile community.

You can link with Hassan Butt on LinkedIn.