How to Build Real Influence as a Scrum Master
Do you ever feel like no one listens to your good ideas?
You became a Scrum Master to help your team do great work. You want them to be happy and get things done. But sometimes, it feels like you are just planning meetings. You suggest a better way to do something, and the team ignores it. You see a problem, but you cannot get anyone to fix it.
This is a very common feeling. You are not alone.
The good news is, you can change this. You can learn how to build “influence.” Influence is the chance that someone will listen to you and do what you suggest.
Think of it like a recipe. To build influence, you need four main ingredients. We call them the SPCL framework.
What are the Four Ingredients of Influence?
1. Status: Do You Have What They Want?
This does not mean being the boss. It means showing you can help the team get what they care about. Do they want less stress? Fewer last-minute changes?
Show them you can make it happen. For example, if you can stop an annoying last-minute request from a manager, the team will see your value. You have the status of a helper.
2. Power: Did Your Last Idea Work?
This is the best way to get people to trust you. Start with a small idea that leads to a small win.
Give advice that leads to a win. For example, you say, “Let’s try a new way to write our tasks for one week.” The team tries it, and the next week goes more smoothly. That is a win. Now, the next time you have an idea, they will be much more likely to listen.
3. Credibility: Can You Prove You Know Your Stuff?
This is your proof. It is why people should believe you.
Show your proof. Instead of just saying “this is a good idea,” you can say, “I used this method with another team, and they got 20% faster. Here is the chart that shows it.” Or you can mention a class you took or a book you read. This gives people a reason to believe you.
4. Likeness: Are You Like Them?
People listen to people they like and understand. They need to see that you get their problems.
Be a real person. Talk about your own mistakes. Say things like, “My old team had this same problem, and it was really tough. Here is how we fixed it.” Use the same words they use. When they see you as a friend who understands, they will trust you more.
How These Ingredients Work Together
These four ideas work best when you use them together.
Imagine you help a team create a “Definition of Done” checklist. This is a list of what it takes to finish a task.
- This builds Power because they tried your idea and it worked.
- It also builds Credibility because you now have a real story that proves your idea was good.
- This then gives you more Status because the team sees you as the person who can solve quality problems.
What You Can Do Next
Before your next meeting with the team, ask yourself these four questions.
- Status: How can I show the team I understand what they need?
- Power: What small, easy tip can I give them that will lead to a quick win?
- Credibility: What story or fact can I share to prove this will work?
- Likeness: How can I act like a friend who truly understands their struggles?
Stop hoping people will just listen. Start using this simple recipe. You know your stuff. Now you have a way to get others to see it.
You can be the leader your team needs.
