How Should Scrum Masters Balance Servant and Leader?
Scrum Masters are expected to serve their teams through facilitation and coaching, but leaning too heavily on the “servant” side can leave gaps in leadership. A healthy balance means also stepping up as a leader—actively ensuring that stakeholders are involved, that real increments are delivered, and that teams experience true empiricism. Once those experiences are in place, the Scrum Master can guide reflection and improvement.
Metaphor
Scrum Masters who lean too far into only serving are like waiters who keep refilling water but never bring out the main course. The service looks attentive, but the table leaves hungry because no real nourishment arrived.
Likewise, Scrum Masters must balance servant with leader—ensuring stakeholders, increments, and empiricism are delivered before guiding the team’s reflection.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking: (1)