What Is the Risk of “Adding Too Much Value”?
Constantly inserting your ideas—even with good intent—can stifle others and be perceived as meddling or micromanagement. It leaves teams confused about direction and less engaged.
Metaphor
A leader who constantly “adds value” is like a passenger grabbing the steering wheel while someone else is driving. The intent might be to help avoid potholes, but it actually causes swerves, stress, and confusion about who’s in control.
Similarly, leaders who can’t resist “adding value” undermine ownership, leaving their teams disengaged and unsure of direction.
Overstepping, even with good intent, undermines ownership and clarity—the same dynamic that plays out when control of the Sprint Backlog shifts away from the team.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking: (1)