Scrum Master, as popularized by Scrum is usually one of the key roles (the two other roles being The Team and Product Owner) in almost every agile project. In a business-as-usual setting, the Scrum Master keep the team focused on the goal, facililiates different ceremonies and remove impediments. I reckon this is just the bare minimum. In order to be a Highly Effective Scrum Master, I believe there are certain other qualities to possess to build a great team and create success stories. In this talk I will share those qualities that make up a Highly Effective Scrum Master.

I call ‘Gemba walk’ the power power walk (power in the sense of its affectiveness). Gemba walk is one of the most underutilized leadership technique in corporations today. In this talk, I will cover the power of Gemba Walk, how it can be used to effectively solve problems and more importantly identify waste in the processes and systematically eliminate them. Gemba walk done right can result in significant improvements in teams’ efficiency and productivity. Additionally, its proper use instills a continuous improvement culture in the organization. I will share my experiences of helping executives and senior management with Gemba Walks from companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, TD and RBC where I have recently been coaching large teams.

Transformations generally are difficult, Agile transformations more so, and then transforming a generally considered traditional department such as a Compliance Department in a financial institute sound like a mission impossible. In this talk, we will share our experience of how we went from unsexy (err non-Agile) department to sexy (err Agile) department with "it takes two to tango". This experience tale is a tell-tale from two perspectives in a single sitting; one from the Enterprise Agile Coach perspective and second is the Director of Technology Strategy of Enterprise Compliance department at RBC, which is undergoing this agile transformation.

Transformations generally are difficult, Agile transformations more difficult, transforming sexy (pun intended) Compliance Department at RBC may sound like a mission impossible. In this talk, we will share our experience of how we went from unsexy (err non-Agile) department to sexy (err Agile) department with "it takes two to tango". This experience tale is a tell-tale from two perspectives in one sitting: one from the Agile Coach perspective and second is the Director of the department which is undergoing this agile transformation.