Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches Why the 'Why' Matters—Product Owner Communication Lessons | Simina Fodor
May 16, 2025
Simina Fodor, a career rebel who shifted from HR to Agile delivery, shares her insights on effective product ownership. She discusses the impact of transparency and customer focus in great product management, illustrating how one exemplary Product Owner transformed team dynamics by sharing the 'why' behind decisions. In contrast, she highlights challenges faced with a disengaged product owner, emphasizing the need for strong communication and collaboration. Simina's passion shines through as she encourages mentoring the next generation of Agile professionals.
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The Ghost Commander PO
- Simina recounts a Product Owner with a command-and-control style who avoided backlog grooming, skipped retrospectives, and shifted priorities unpredictably.
- This PO demanded immediate responses without justification, creating a toxic environment close to team collapse.
Coaching Toxic Product Owners
- Use workshops and one-on-one coaching to instill Agile mindset principles in difficult Product Owners.
- Involve leadership early when coaching fails to prevent team deterioration and potential attrition.
An Exceptional PO From Support
- Simina's best Product Owner came from customer support and excelled by openly sharing the 'why' behind decisions using customer use cases and user personas.
- They involved the team in understanding both business and technical aspects, mentoring members in product knowledge and growth.