Portrait of a leader

As a ScrumMaster, you must show that you support experimentation and learning. To do this, you must approach a team with an attitude of trust. Let the team try. Give them everything they need to be successful. Protect them from the rest of the organization so that they can experience the motivating result of finishing features in a sprint. Run interference for them in case of interruptions by someone from outside the team. Show them that you can be trusted by not causing injury—that is, protect the team and demonstrate that you are protecting them, either by removing obstacles or stopping interruption in its tracks. Say no. Speak up, especially if the team members cannot. Make the work you do to resolve issues for the team visible to the team. They will soon learn that you are in their corner.

Selfless, confident, and accountable

We've all encountered the person who immediately gets defensive and has an excuse for every bad behavior. People like this don't let others finish...