Agile leaders don’t lead from the front — they lead from behind. Their success is measured not by how much they accomplish personally, but by how much the team is able to deliver. They remove impediments, promote a culture of learning, and empower teams to make decisions that drive value. In other words, an Agile leader’s primary job is to create an environment where the Scrum Team can thrive.
One of the most powerful tools Agile leaders have is also one of the simplest: asking great questions.
Great questions don’t tell people what to do. They spark thinking. They nudge teams toward self-management. They build confidence and create space for creativity and innovation.
Below are some of the best questions an Agile leader can ask — questions that encourage empowerment, ownership, and continuous improvement.
“What have you tried?”
This question honors the team’s expertise. It acknowledges that the people closest to the work are usually the ones who have the best insight. It also helps leaders avoid swooping in prematurely with solutions. Often, the team has already tried something smart — they just need space to talk through what happened.
“What could you try next?”
A perfect follow-up. Instead of prescribing a solution, the leader invites the team to explore options. This question builds self-management and reinforces that experimentation is part of learning.
“What’s slowing you down?”
Agile leaders remove impediments, but they can’t remove what they can’t see. This question brings obstacles into the light — not to assign blame, but to clear the path for value delivery.
“How can I help?”
A classic servant leadership question. It shifts the power dynamic and sends a clear message: I’m here to support you, not direct you.
“What value are we trying to deliver?”
When teams feel scattered or overwhelmed, this question recenters the conversation around outcomes instead of tasks. It helps the team focus on value, not volume.
“What did we learn?”
Whether something succeeded or failed, learning is the real measure of progress in a complex environment. This question reinforces a growth mindset and encourages honest reflection.
“Is there something we should stop doing?”
Agile isn’t just about adding new practices — it’s about removing waste. This question opens the door for teams to identify outdated habits, unnecessary steps, or processes that no longer help.
“Does the team have what it needs?”
This question helps uncover gaps in tooling, access, support, or clarity. Sometimes teams don’t proactively ask for what they need — this question invites them to.
“What decision can the team make without me?”
An empowering — and sometimes uncomfortable — question. It reinforces autonomy and helps leaders identify where they might be over-involved.
Great Agile leaders don’t create dependency; they create capability. They don’t hand out answers; they develop problem-solvers. And they don’t stand in the spotlight; they shine it on the team.
Asking great questions is one of the simplest ways to practice servant leadership — and one of the most powerful. When teams feel supported, empowered, and trusted, they deliver more value, learn more quickly, and grow stronger together.