Coaching Scrum·March 12, 2024·2 min read

Communication Preferences Matter When Implementing Scrum

How many times have you 'reached out' and not gotten a response? A real example of one person's communication preferences, and why your team's preferences aren't yours.

How many times have you “reached out” (corporate speak in some places for “communicate with”) and not gotten a response?

I work with many people all around the world. Time zones. Cultural differences. Work preferences. And more. Real life surrounds us.

Here are some examples of my own communication preferences:

• I prefer people I know to use text messages (or Signal) to get in touch with me for the fastest response.
• I encourage using a contact form for people who want to start a conversation with me.
• I have a profile on LinkedIn (with a newsletter there about becoming more productive by doing less) — people can follow me and/or send me a direct message.
• I have a profile on Twitter. I follow nobody. Zero people. I have a few highly curated lists I check in with. Anyone can send me a direct message.
• I am not on Facebook or WhatsApp.
• I am not on Instagram (I think there are a few old pics up there).
• If you call me, unless you are on my “favorites” list (like four people), my phone does not ring and you’ll get a voicemail message asking you to send me a text message.
• I use Slack on my laptop. It’s not on my mobile device.
• I use email on my laptop. It’s not on my mobile device.

All notifications on my mobile device are off.

Sounds pretty extreme, right (see the Hyperactive Hive Mind concept for more details)?

Are you a luddite, Mike? Not really. You can get to me anytime and I am pretty responsive. I don’t hide.

And this is the important takeaway for you: I bet it’s not just me.

Communication Preferences: What Next?

Have a conversation with your Scrum Team and check in with each other about how each individual person really likes / prefers their communication styles and times with you and the team.

You’ll learn that your preferences are not their preferences. And this is OK. Respect.

Need some help with this? I can help with the conversation.

Contact me or connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss this more together.

Also, check out AgileMentoring.com while you are here — it’s a great community of agile practitioners from around the world who are figuring things out together!