A team member is pushing back against Agile practices. How do you handle the resistance?
How do you approach a team member resisting Agile? Share your strategies and experiences.
A team member is pushing back against Agile practices. How do you handle the resistance?
How do you approach a team member resisting Agile? Share your strategies and experiences.
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When it comes to new process introduction such as Agile, focus on people and interactions over processes and tools. As a Scrum Master don’t enforce process, instead: Mentor. Coach. Facilitate. Enable. Nobody likes to feel orders, instead support with direction and empower to ask questions. Rather than dictating, practice co-creation. Your goal is to help the team own the process and continuously improve it, not to enforce it rigidly.
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When a team member resists Agile, I start by listening. Resistance usually signals a gap in understanding, trust, or past experience. I’ve found it effective to connect Agile practices to their own pain points, maybe they’re frustrated by shifting priorities or unclear expectations. Then I show how Agile addresses that. I also involve them in small wins: a retrospective that surfaces real issues, or a sprint planning session where their input shapes the work. Over time, they see Agile not as a process imposed on them, but a tool that empowers them. The secret sauce is empathy, clarity, and steady engagement.
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I think, To handle resistance to Agile, start by understanding their concerns—whether it’s discomfort with change, past experiences, or lack of clarity on benefits. Educate them on how Agile solves team challenges, acknowledge their worries, and introduce small changes to show value. Involve them in shaping the process, highlight quick wins, and encourage peer support. Stay flexible and adapt Agile practices to fit the team’s needs.
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I have had several such instances with my Clients. At the end of the engagement, the people who pushed back the most have invariably transitioned into strong believers and torch bearers. The trick is to engage with them personally - do a deep dive into their individual challenges at work. Demonstrate practically in their very specific pain point area - how Agile can improve their productivity, improve their work-life balance and help step up their scope of impact. All they need is one definite gain experienced personally - then they'd transition into your staunch evangelists!
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I believe it is not just resistance for Agile but the resistance to change! We all run with muscle power and hardly think a smart or effective way to get things done. I respect employees who are excited for change and give me an energy to collaborate with them more. A supportive team / colleague is required for any change because that resistance of change is because of the fear of unknown.