#34: I'm Trained, Now What? with Julie Chickering

Join Julie Chickering and Brian Milner as they provide exclusive insight on utilizing your Scrum training, expanding your expertise, and passing your knowledge on to others.

Overview

In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Julie Chickering sits down with Brian to discuss getting started in the key Scrum roles.

They highlight the value of establishing relationships with like-minded individuals for both support and greater success. Plus, a look at some ways to use Scrum outside of the software development arena.

Listen in as they guide you through the initial steps you can take when you are just starting out on your Scrum journey and how collaboration and continuing education can aid your career growth and advancement.

Listen now to discover:

[02:26] - The framework is simple. Then we put people into the mix. Julie shares the most crucial aspect for those starting in key Scrum roles.
[04:04] - Brian shares Mike's foundational philosophy for approaching this work from Mike Cohn's popular conference keynote session, Let Go of Knowing.
[05:58] - How communities online like The Agile Mentors Community and local groups like DFW Scrum help members achieve more success.
[07:02] - How being part of a community was foundational to Brian's Scrum journey.
[8:33] - Julie shares her introduction to Scrum and how the connections and support she received from the community were crucial to her growth and advancement.
[09:42] - Brian shares his regrets about not getting involved with a community sooner.
[11:56] - Brian shares how mentoring is like dating and why taking the time to have the discussions needed to form the foundations for authentic relationships is vital.
[13:08] - Read the room. Julie offers guidance on avoiding mistakes while searching for a mentor.
[14:46] - How cross-pollination and venturing out to form connections in other industries helps you grow in your own.
[15:41] - Being part of a safe community can help you advance your skills while helping others.
[16:57] - Julie shares how to get started as a Scrum Master after you've been trained and the overall value of finding the right fit.
[18:50] - Successful product ownership requires two key components.
[19:16] - Where the rubber meets the road: expanding what you've learned in your training through real-world experience.
[20:45] - Start where you are: how applying your Scrum training to other areas beyond software development can help enhance your skills.
[22:55] - Brian and Julie share some examples of Scrum hidden in the non-software world, including in education and marketing.
[25:32] - How to use your skills to help a nonprofit in your area.
[27:11] - Brian explains how A-level classes can help you overcome hurdles as you advance in your career.
[28:53] - Learning never stops: the importance of obtaining knowledge for now and later. [29:10] - Julie shares the value of debriefing with someone else.
[30:31] - Problem-Solving Leadership (PSL)
[31:22] - What classes and tools have you used to advance your skills? We'd love to hear. Reach out to share your experience.

References and resources mentioned in the show

• Let Go of Knowing
• The Agile Mentors Community
• DFW Scrum
• Book Early for Savings on Mountain Goat Software Training Classes
• Agile Mentors Podcast EP#32: Scrum in High School Sports with Cort Sharp
• Agile Mentors Podcast  EP#23 How Agile Works in Education with John Miller
• Agile Mentors Podcast  EP#21: Agile Marketing Teams with Stacey Ackerman
• Agile Mentors Podcast  EP#31: Starting Strong: Tips for Successfully Starting with a New Organization with Julie Chickering
• Finding and Becoming Great Mentors and Sponsors with Carla Harris on WorkLife with Adam Grant

Want to get involved?

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This episode’s presenters are:

Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Julie Chickering, the brains and brawn behind JC Agile Consulting, believes that Lean and Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable positive culture change, business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie is a past president and board member of the Agile Project Management Network (APLN), a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), as well as a traditional Project Management Professional (PMP).