Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches When Knowledge Hoarding Destroys Team Dynamics | Florian Georgescu
Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.
Florian describes a payment system development team where an experienced tech lead unknowingly created a dangerous dependency. This senior developer, while well-intentioned, became the single point of knowledge and decision-making for the entire team. Other developers began copying his behavior, creating a culture where team members were afraid to ask questions for fear of appearing incompetent. When this key developer left, the team fell apart - planning sessions became confusing, technical discussions stalled, and two junior developers quit citing lack of learning opportunities. The story demonstrates how knowledge hoarding, even when unintentional, can destroy team resilience and create toxic dynamics that stifle growth and collaboration.
In this segment, we refer to the Monday episode with Florian as context for the story he shares on this episode.
Self-reflection Question: How might knowledge hoarding be happening in your team, and what steps could you take to encourage more distributed learning and decision-making?
Featured Book of the Week: The Responsibility Process by Christopher AveryFlorian The Responsibility Process by Christopher Avery particularly valuable for understanding the stages people go through when taking responsibility. The book's framework helped him process his own burnout experience and provides crucial insights for helping teams accept responsibility for their outcomes. Florian emphasizes how the responsibility process is essential for understanding what you can influence when you want to take ownership, making it a powerful tool for both personal growth and team development.
In this segment, we refer to the Responsibility Process, by Christopher Avery, who was a previous guest on our Audiobook project: Tips From the Trenches, Scrum Master Edition.
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About Florian Georgescu
Florian is a seasoned Agile Coach with 10+ years of experience guiding teams across startups to large enterprises. He specializes in tailoring workflows, mentoring Scrum Masters, and fostering collaboration. Passionate about continuous improvement, Florian helps organizations boost agility and align delivery with strategic goals for lasting impact.
You can link with Florian Georgescu on LinkedIn.