Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches From Defensive to Collaborative Product Ownership | Season Hughes
Feb 28, 2025
Season Hughes, a strategist dedicated to empowering teams and customers, delves into the nuances of product ownership. She shares how great Product Owners foster strong connections with teams and customers by advocating for active involvement and engaging discussions. Contrarily, she highlights the pitfalls of defensive questioning that stifles collaboration. Season emphasizes the importance of communication styles that promote understanding and shared growth, along with the significant roles empathy and user engagement play in dynamic team settings.
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Defensive vs. Collaborative Questioning
- A product owner used "why" questions during backlog refinement, making developers defensive.
- Rephrasing as "help me understand" fostered collaboration and excitement.
Regular One-on-Ones
- Have regular one-on-ones with your product owner to understand their perspective.
- Offer suggestions based on your experience, like rephrasing questions to promote collaboration.
Respectful Communication
- Helping people feel respected improves collaboration, not by changing them, but by understanding their intentions.
- Suggesting alternative approaches can achieve the same goals while fostering a positive environment.