Karla Merza: Balancing Deadlines Commitments and Agile Team Well-Being as a Scrum Master

Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.

Karla explains that a successful Scrum Master must balance the team's morale with delivery commitments. By adjusting her approach to meet the needs of a new team right before PI planning, Karla helped them take responsibility and deliver successfully. This example shows the importance of fostering both autonomy and accountability within teams.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Adjusting Retros to the Team's Mood

Karla doesn’t have a go-to retrospective format but prefers to adapt the format based on the team’s vibe. She uses tools like Metro Retro to find suitable formats and checks in with the team’s mood before deciding how to proceed. For example, during stressful periods like release deadlines, Karla switches to lighter, surprise retrospectives to relieve stress and maintain engagement.

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Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people.

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About Karla Merza Karla joins us from Romania and is an Agile Professional with 10 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in empowering diverse teams and organizations worldwide. From optimizing Agile practices to enhancing tool usage, she is dedicated to expanding knowledge and driving efficiency in multicultural environments.

You can link with Karla Merza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlamerza/