Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

From Command to Collaboration, An Agile Leadership Team's Transformation Story | Zvonimir Durcevic

Apr 2, 2025

Zvonimir Durcevic, an Agile product development expert, shares insights from his journey in guiding a leadership team away from command-and-control styles to collaborative methodologies. He discusses the transformative power of self-reflection and the establishment of a unified identity within the team. Highlighting the importance of creating a conflict protocol, Zvonimir emphasizes how constructive discussions can enhance communication and lead to a shared collective identity. His approach incorporates EDGE Theory of Change and focuses on involving everyone in transformational decisions.

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ANECDOTE

Leadership Team's Agile Transition

A leadership team supporting an agile transition wanted to shift from command-and-control to a collaborative style.
They sought support to restructure and improve information exchange between their four teams.

INSIGHT

Edge Theory of Change

The Edge Theory, based on Arnold Mindell's work, describes change as moving from a known state (primary) to an unknown state (secondary).
This transition involves crossing an 'edge' where individuals experience nervousness and instability.

ADVICE

Exploring the 'Other Side'

Explore the 'other side' of the change by experimenting with new behaviors and reflecting on the experience.
This helps individuals understand what awaits them in the transformed state and reduces anxiety.

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Zvonimir Durcevic: From Command to Collaboration, An Agile Leadership Team's Transformation Story

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.

In this episode, Zvonimir discusses his experience supporting a leadership team transitioning from a traditional command-and-control management style to a more collaborative approach involving people in change decisions. Drawing from EDGE Theory of Change (based on Arnold Mendel's work) and Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) training, Zvone helped the leadership team understand what awaited them on the "other side" of this transformation. Through multiple half-day coaching sessions, he guided them in defining their new leadership identity and developing self-reflection skills. A critical element of this work was creating a conflict protocol that allowed leaders to discuss different perspectives constructively. Zvone emphasizes the importance of helping teams create a "third identity" – a new collective self that emerges through transformation.

Self-reflection Question: What elements of your current leadership identity would you need to let go of to embrace a more collaborative approach to change?

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About Zvonimir Durcevic

Zvonimir has worked in agile product development since 2005, holding roles such as Scrum Master, Agile Coach, IT Project, and R&D Manager. He works with teams to co-create tailored solutions to increase engagement and improve customer focus and effectiveness, enabling accelerated value delivery and rapid adaptation to change.

You can link with Zvonimir Durcevic on LinkedIn.