Scrum Values from a Facilitator’s Perspective

In Scrum, facilitation is not just a technique; it's a posture. A great facilitator amplifies voices, enables clarity, and creates the space for meaningful dialogue. When facilitators internalize the Scrum values, they elevate the quality of conversations and unlock true team potential.

Let’s explore how a Scrum facilitator embodies each Scrum value:

Commitment

• 1. Facilitator commits to the purpose, the people, and the process.
• 2. Facilitator commits to being fully prepared, understanding the session’s goals and designing inclusive structures.
• 3. Facilitator commits to consistently, whether it’s a routine Scrum event or a tough retrospective.
• 4. Facilitator commits to neutrality, not owning the content, but owning the flow.
• 5. Facilitator commits to continuous improvement, of their teams and their facilitation craft.
• 6. Facilitator commits to creating safe spaces where all voices are heard.

A facilitator stays committed even when the group feels lost, because clarity often follows confusion.

Courage

• 1. Facilitator shows courage by surfacing truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• 2. Facilitator shows courage by asking the hard questions: “What are we not talking about?”.
• 3. Facilitator shows courage by interrupting the dominating voices to create space for others.
• 4. Facilitator shows courage by inviting disagreement, not to stir conflict, but to discover insight.
• 5. Facilitator shows courage by speaking up when team dynamics are unhealthy or unsafe.
• 6. Facilitator shows courage by challenging the status quo thinking by bringing in new perspectives.

And a facilitator does all this with grace, humility, and a learner’s mindset.

Focus

• 1. Facilitator focuses on outcomes, not just activities.
• 2. Facilitator focuses on the purpose of the meeting before the meeting begins.
• 3. Facilitator focuses on using the timeboxes and visual prompts to guide progress.
• 4. Facilitator focuses by intervening gently when conversations go off track.
• 5. Facilitator focuses by helping the group avoid analysis paralysis and drive decisions.
• 6. Facilitator focuses by summarizing insights to maintain shared understanding.

Above all, a facilitator ensures that focus doesn’t come at the cost of inclusion.

Openness

Facilitators demonstrate openness by designing formats that include the loud, the quiet, and the in-between.

• 1. Facilitator demonstrates openness by designing formats that include the loud, the quiet, and the in-between.
• 2. Facilitator demonstrates openness by asking open-ended questions.
• 3. Facilitator demonstrates openness by welcoming divergent thinking before converging on decisions.
• 4. Facilitator demonstrates openness by embracing transparency, about process, time, and power dynamics.
• 5. Facilitator demonstrates openness by surfacing unspoken assumptions that hinder progress.
• 6. Facilitator demonstrates openness by inviting feedback on their own facilitation style and adapt accordingly.

And a facilitator model openness by being curious rather than certain.

Respect

• 1. Facilitator demonstrates respect by trusting that the team can arrive at good outcomes, if given the space.
• 2. Facilitator demonstrates respect by avoiding solving problems themselves, instead enabling self-management.
• 3. Facilitator demonstrates respect by listening deeply, without interrupting or judging.
• 4. Facilitator demonstrates respect by honouring different communication styles and cultural norms.
• 5. Facilitator demonstrates respect by managing time with care.
• 6. Facilitator demonstrates respect by acknowledging every contribution with appreciation.

And a facilitator practice humility, knowing that facilitation is about service, not spotlight.

Great facilitators don’t just guide conversations; they embody the Scrum Values in every gesture, every silence, and every invitation to speak. When facilitation is grounded in commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect, it becomes a catalyst, not just for better meetings, but for better teams.

If you want to grow your facilitation muscle and deepen your understanding of Scrum values in action, consider joining the Professional Scrum Facilitation Skills (PSFS) course by AgileWoW. Explore upcoming dates at www.agilewow.com.