Managing Personality Clashes in Scrum Teams
Valdymas: The Art of People Management
What is Valdymas?
Before we dive in, let’s understand what Valdymas means. In Lithuanian, Valdymas translates to “management” or “governance.” In the context of Scrum teams, Valdymas represents a practical approach to managing and leading people while respecting their individual differences.
Why Good Management (Valdymas) Matters in Scrum Teams?
Picture this: You’re leading a Scrum team of ten talented people. Each person is great at their job, but somehow, they just don’t click. Sound familiar? This is where good Valdymas becomes crucial. Research shows that teams with effective personality management are 50% more likely to complete projects successfully.
The Building Blocks of Effective Team Management
- Understanding Different Personality Types
Think of personality types like different pieces of a puzzle. Each piece has its own shape, but together they create a complete picture. In Scrum teams, we commonly see:
- The Analysts: They love data and details
- The Innovators: They’re always full of new ideas
- The Harmonizers: They keep the peace and build bridges
- The Drivers: They push to get things done
- Creating a Balanced Environment
- Quiet spaces for deep work
- Collaborative areas for group activities
- Clear communication channels
- Structured meeting times
- Flexible work approaches
- The Four Pillars of Valdymas in Scrum
Pillar 1: Recognition
- Acknowledge different working styles
- Celebrate diverse contributions
- Give credit where it's due
Pillar 2: Adaptation
- Flexible meeting formats
- Multiple communication channels
- Varied task allocation methods
Pillar 3: Structure
- Clear team agreements
- Defined decision-making processes
- Regular check-in points
Pillar 4: Growth
- Personal development opportunities
- Skill-sharing sessions
- Cross-training activities
Common Personality Clashes and Solutions
- 1️⃣ The Speed vs. Quality Clash
Situation:
- Fast-paced developers vs. detail-oriented testers
Valdymas Solution:
- Create balanced Definition of Done criteria.
- Set up quality gates that don't slow down development
- Use automated testing to satisfy both speed and quality needs
- 2️⃣ The Communication Style Clash
Situation:
- Direct communicators vs. diplomatic team members
Valdymas Solution:
- Establish communication guidelines
- Create feedback templates
- Use a mix of written and verbal communication
- 2️⃣ The Planning Style Clash
Situation:
- Detailed planners vs. adaptive workers
Valdymas Solution:
- Use rolling wave planning
- Set high-level goals with flexible execution paths
- Create check-points for alignment
Tips for Scrum Masters
DOs:
- Learn about personality types
- Create inclusive environments
- Use data to track progress
- Stay neutral in conflicts
Don'ts:
- Take sides in disputes
- Force personality changes
- Ignore early warning signs
- Apply one-size-fits-all solutions
- Moving Forward
References
- Schwaber, K., & Sutherland, J. (2023). “The Scrum Guide”
- Google Research. (2023). “Project Aristotle Findings”
- Lithuanian Management Institute. (2022). “Valdymas in Modern Organizations”
- PMI. (2023). “Agile Practice Guide”
- Harvard Business Review. (2023). “Managing Team Dynamics”
- MIT Sloan. (2022). “The Science of Team Performance”
- Agile Alliance. (2023). “Personality Types in Agile Teams”
- DISC Assessment Research Group. (2023). “Personality in Professional Settings”
- European Journal of Management. (2023). “Modern Valdymas Principles”
- International Journal of Scrum Practices. (2023). “Effective Team Management”
