There’s an unspoken risk that comes with being a Scrum Master in a culture where agile is a checkbox, not a value. That risk grows exponentially when your manager sees no value in your role at all. They see contractors as less value as well and will defend their full-time employees.
I was hired to support teams using agile. The manager I ultimately reported to? A former developer who never embraced agile, didn’t interview me to hire me, and didn’t hide their distaste for the framework or those who coach it.
Introduction: Why Anonymity Isn’t Optional
When we think about psychological safety, we often imagine teams openly sharing ideas, leaders inviting dissent, and colleagues having the courage to speak up. But the foundation of that trust is fragile—especially in environments where relationships and reputations matter deeply.
Anonymity is not about hiding. It’s about creating the conditions where ...
The economic downturn of the early 2000s, coupled with the tech bubble and widespread mortgage crisis, marked a time of immense uncertainty for many of us. Jobs were scarce, and financial security seemed like an impossible dream for those hit hardest by the fallout. During this period, I found myself navigating a patchwork of odd jobs—working in a restaurant, taking on temp roles, and eventuall...
We’ve all had moments in our careers where the line between professional collaboration and personal relationships becomes blurry. Sometimes, what starts as a fun, casual venture devolves into frustration and disappointment. Today, I want to share a story that illustrates this challenge, especially in the context of psychological safety, trust, and setting healthy boundaries in collaboration.
...
InKNOWnative Newsletter
Premium Newsletter Subscription!
Nourish your leadership.
Strengthen your system.
Lead with courage.
Get exclusive access to InKNOWnative’s Premium Psychological Safety Newsletter.
Each issue is carefully curated with high-impact insights, practical tools, and fresh perspectives rooted in personal experience and observations. In Real Life (IRL) examples to better understand and illustrate psychological safety.
Please read this Note from Shari. https://www.inknownative.com/blog/before-you-read-newsletters
👉 Subscribe now and transform your inbox into a Leadership Lifeline.
