Scrum.org Community Podcast Ask a PST - Unlocking Self-Management: How Teams Thrive with Autonomy
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Dec 4, 2025 Robb Pieper, a Professional Scrum Trainer and consultant, and Jason Malmstadt, a former software developer and current Scrum Trainer, dive into the power of self-management in teams. They discuss practical strategies for earning management support and handling disruptions within teams. With insights on decision-making tools like Delegation Poker and the importance of psychological safety, they emphasize how autonomy enhances product quality and business outcomes. Their anecdotes and guidance inspire both new and experienced Scrum practitioners to foster effective self-managed teams.
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Start With A Visible Business Win
- Tie self-management to business outcomes, not just team happiness.
- Find a small, bounded problem to let the team solve and make the trade-offs visible to leaders.
Let People Struggle To Grow
- Jason realized the power of stepping back when he let a team solve a problem instead of fixing it for them.
- He compares it to teaching kids to tie shoes: letting them practice builds lasting capability.
Play Delegation Poker To Set Boundaries
- Use Delegation Poker to clarify who decides what and avoid hand-waved commitments to self-management.
- List decision types and agree whether they’re manager, team, or shared decisions.
