Coaching Scrum2 min read
Receiving Feedback When Implementing Scrum
Two words that make receiving feedback dramatically easier on any Scrum Team — and why saying them isn't about being passive.
In my weekly Saturday morning emails about Implementing Scrum in the real world, one of the topics I occasionally review with my subscribers revolves around giving and receiving feedback when you’re on a Scrum Team.
Scrum allows for this to happen in each of the four Scrum events (all contained within the Sprint):
During my CSM Training, attendees learn how to both give and receive feedback. There’s a lot of information out there about doing this effectively. This post is about leaning into two very important words when receiving feedback.
Thank You
Simple. Powerful. One of the most powerful complete sentences — besides “No.” — when receiving feedback is just these two words: “Thank You.” That’s it!
Some Additional Context
While Scrum is an awesome framework for both giving and receiving feedback, it does not mean your Scrum Team needs to act on (or react to) every single feedback item given to you. This is not about being passive aggressive — make sure you set the context when you use this technique.
Why do I recommend just saying “Thank You”?
Let’s say you and your Scrum Team create an awesome new feature that benefits both your customers and end users. You think it’s awesome. Then someone drops a bombshell on it — basically saying “your baby is ugly.” You might want to get defensive or justify why it’s so awesome.
This is hard.
In fact, when I’m facilitating exercises in receiving feedback, I hold up a big piece of paper (or put it in Zoom while on camera) that says: “Thank You.” This is a skill to learn, and practice. There are always some laughs — sometimes uncomfortably so — the first few times.
This helps both the giver and receiver let down their guard, start getting really honest (like a high performing team should be!), and learn a powerful technique the Scrum Team can use together in the future. It can help you and your Scrum Team gain back their voice. It works. Try it!
What Next?
Capture the feedback you’ve received (after you’ve said “Thank You”). Remember, getting feedback — through conversations with your customers, end users, and stakeholders — in any of the Scrum Events is a gift. Use it. Or not.
Apply the technique of just saying “Thank you” when receiving feedback during any of the Scrum Events, including with your Product Owner about the Product Backlog.
Contact me (with feedback) or connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss this more together. Also, check out AgileMentoring.com while you’re here — it’s a great community of practitioners figuring things out together!
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