Building a Sustainable Scrum Career
Nothing is ever expensive in isolation; its cost is always relative. Building a Sustainable Scrum Career depends on comparing your efforts to the right benchmarks—ones that align with your values, skills, and long-term goals.
But the key to a sustainable Scrum career is comparing your efforts to the right other numbers—one that aligns with your values, skills, and long-term goals.
The Growth Close
It’s proven that people make decisions based on relative value, not absolute value.
When we say, “It’s proven that people make decisions based on relative value, not absolute value,” it means that individuals tend to evaluate options by comparing them to other available alternatives rather than assessing their intrinsic worth in isolation. This concept is rooted in the idea that human decision-making often relies on contrasts and contextual comparisons rather than objective, standalone measures of value.
For example, when deciding between two products, a person might choose the one that appears better in comparison to the other, even if neither product is objectively ideal. Similarly, research shows that more valuable stimuli receive higher attention due to their relative position compared to reference points, rather than their absolute value.
This tendency can lead to suboptimal choices because decisions are influenced by how options are framed or juxtaposed, rather than being based purely on their inherent qualities.
Yet most professionals focus solely on immediate gains without considering the broader picture. Here’s how to use contrast to make your career investments feel more impactful and fulfilling.
The Framework:
- Start with the Cost of Their Problem (Yearly)
Ex: A Scrum team facing $300k/year in inefficiencies due to poor collaboration or unclear goals. One of the main challenges when using Scrum for the first time is the lack of clarity about the vision, goals, and expectations of the project. - Break That Into Monthly Cost
Ex: That’s $25k/month in lost productivity, missed deadlines, and frustrated stakeholders. Allow people on your team to make mistakes. They are more likely to learn from their errors if they have a sense of ownership over their work. - Present Your Solution Cost (Monthly)
Ex: Our coaching and training: $5k/month. Engaging the team instead of micromanaging is crucial for a Scrum Master to foster an environment of respect, openness, and courage. - Show the Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratio: Every $1 spent on Scrum coaching saves $5 in inefficiencies. Continuous learning is essential for Scrum practitioners. By taking certifications, exploring new tools, and staying curious, practitioners can stay ahead in the field.
TLDR – Anchor Them High with Their Problem Cost First. Then Hit Them with the Contrast
Framing your career investments as a way to address known pain points—like inefficient workflows, unclear goals, or frustrated stakeholders—can be more compelling and believable than focusing solely on the unknown upside. Instead of asking, “Why invest in Scrum coaching?” ask yourself, “Why not?”
Pro Tip
People Would Rather Avoid Loss Than Acquire Gain.
Framing solutions to make known problems go away can be more compelling (and believable) than anchoring on an unknown upside. If you’re struggling to close, try this approach, and you may find more opportunities to grow sustainably.
By shifting the focus from short-term sales to long-term value creation, you’ll build a career that not only avoids losses but actively contributes to the growth and success of your teams. This approach aligns with the principles of servant leadership, effective communication, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring a more fulfilling and sustainable Scrum career.
Ready to Transform Your Career in a Sustainable Scrum Career?
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