Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

The Scrum Master Who Learned That Perfect Boards Don't Build Perfect Teams | Carmela Then

Jan 5, 2026

Carmela Then, a seasoned business analyst and Advanced ScrumMaster, shares her eye-opening journey into the world of Scrum. She recounts her initial belief that perfect Scrum boards would lead to success, only to discover that true leadership requires humility and a focus on common goals. Faced with a toxic power struggle between Product Owners, she reflects on her mistakes and emphasizes the importance of serving the team's needs over mechanical perfection. Her lessons inspire Scrum Masters to prioritize collaboration and align efforts with customer outcomes.

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ANECDOTE

Facade Over Humility Backfires

Carmela Then describes her first Scrum Master role where she focused on perfect boards and a confident facade instead of humility.
Her alignment with one Product Owner escalated a political fight that ended with demotion and people leaving.

INSIGHT

Mechanics ≠ Leadership

Doing Scrum mechanics well is different from serving the team's real needs and purpose.
Carmela realized the team needed humility and shared learning, not a show of competence.

ADVICE

Lead To Unite, Not Divide

Serve as a leader who unites teams toward a common vision instead of deepening divisions.
Prioritize outcomes and customers over personal or political gains.

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Carmela Then: The Scrum Master Who Learned That Perfect Boards Don't Build Perfect Teams

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.

"The failure part is, instead of leading the team to work toward a common vision, I was probably one of the persons that helped the divide." - Carmela Then

Carmela shares a vulnerable story from her first Scrum Master role at a bank. Armed with training, certifications, and the ability to build a beautiful physical Scrum board with perfectly straight lines, she believed she was ready to lead. But Carmela quickly discovered a crucial truth: mastering the mechanics of Scrum is vastly different from serving a team's real needs. Instead of showing up as a humble learner willing to grow alongside her team, she put on a facade of competence and confidence.

When two Product Owners began fighting for dominance, rather than stepping back and focusing the teams on their shared purpose, Carmela found herself drawn into the political battle, supporting one PO over the other. The result was devastating—a toxic environment where one PO was demoted, and talented team members left the organization entirely. Looking back, Carmela recognizes that her failure wasn't about the Scrum board or ceremonies; it was about not putting the customer and common goals at the center. She learned that Scrum Masters must lead with humility, focus on outcomes rather than egos, and help teams unite rather than divide.

In this episode, we refer to John C. Maxwell and Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell.

Self-reflection Question: When was the last time you prioritized looking competent over truly serving your team's needs, and what did that cost you?

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About Carmela Then

Carmela is a Senior Business Analyst with 15+ years in financial and mining sectors. A Certified and Advanced ScrumMaster, she excels in leading agile initiatives, delivering business value, and aligning technical outcomes with strategic goals.

You can link with Carmela Then on LinkedIn.