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Better C# Switch Statements for a Range of Values
By hackajob Staff
Ever wondered how a career journey that began in customer service, managing contact centres, could evolve into a fulfilling role as a Scrum Master? In this blog, we explore the fascinating path of a Scrum Master at Leonardo, who has leveraged their unique experiences to foster collaboration and agile practices within their team.
Curious about the skills and insights that have driven their success? We’ll delve into their daily responsibilities, the rewarding aspects of their role, and how they’ve embraced continuous improvement in an ever-changing environment.
Let’s dive in!
Can you share a bit about your professional background that led to your current position as Scrum Master at Leonardo?
I began my career wanting to be a music teacher but couldn't afford university, so I worked in insurance and retail, eventually moving to Malta and becoming a contact centre manager. I later moved back to the UK, but after an unfortunate experience with lay offs, I decided to retrain in web development - going on to complete a full-stack course at Code Institute. There is still a lot of age bias in this industry, which can definitely have an impact on career choices as you get older, but after working for a few different companies, I gained ample experience in coding and eventually discovered my interest.
Being a Scrum Master, managing projects rather than coding, I obtained my Scrum Master certification and found that my background in managing people and processes made this role a good fit for me. I landed my current position at Leonardo a year ago now, which has been hugely fulfilling. Leonardo has a relaxed atmosphere, and I appreciate how they value the expertise I bring as a Scrum Master. Transitioning careers later in life has been challenging, but my experience has ultimately aligned well with working in Agile environments.
What does a typical day look like for you as Scrum Master at Leonardo?
A typical day for me as a Scrum Master at Leonardo starts around 8:30-9:00 AM, with my mornings dedicated to stand-up meetings. I attend about six stand-ups between 9:00 and 10:30 AM, which provide essential check-ins to track progress, identify blockers, and gather information to support the teams. After the stand-ups, I document notes and plan any necessary follow-up actions.
My afternoons are more flexible, focused on activities like backlog refinement, product refinement, and coaching. Backlog refinement ensures our tasks are prioritised and aligned with the team’s capacity, while product refinement helps clarify requirements for upcoming work. A large part of my role is also dedicated to supporting individuals in the team. Often, the challenges they face are rooted in interpersonal dynamics and I work to understand these dynamics and offer support to help overcome obstacles.
As a qualified personal development coach, I bring those skills into my daily work, acting as a guide to help team members with their professional growth and emotional well-being. This involves one-on-one conversations and general coaching sessions to address individual concerns or team issues. My goal is to foster an open, trusting environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
In essence, my role is about facilitation, support, and enabling the team to work effectively. I’m not doing the technical work, but I make sure the team has what they need to succeed—removing blockers, offering guidance, and creating an environment for the team to thrive.
Tell us how you landed the role at Leonardo
I landed the role at Leonardo somewhat by accident. I joined hackajob to refine my skills as a newly qualified Scrum Master. I was looking for short-term contracts to build my experience and keep up with industry trends. hackajob offered relevant projects and opportunities to test my skills, which was crucial for my development.
While using the platform, I learned new programming languages like C# and C++ and engaged in webinars and courses. During this time, someone who was demonstrating hackajob to a colleague, stumbled upon my CV and saw that I was a Scrum Master. She reached out to me about an opportunity at Leonardo.
Our initial conversation was relaxed and engaging, lasting longer than planned because of the chemistry we had. Leonardo weren't focused on technical assessments; they were interested in my experience and how I could contribute to their team. After a few days of discussions, I realised that Leonardo was the right fit for me. It was a fortunate turn of events that led me to this position, and I’m grateful for the serendipity that brought us together.
What specific skills and experiences have been crucial to your success in securing and excelling in your role at Leonardo?
My success at Leonardo stems from my extensive background in customer service management within contact centres, both in the UK and abroad. This experience taught me the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of both external customers—such as those from airlines like Alitalia and British Airways—and internal stakeholders, including call handlers and trainers.
I focus on managing people and processes holistically, ensuring my team is motivated and their mental well-being is prioritised. It's crucial to create an environment where employees feel valued and supported, enabling them to grow their careers.
In addition to my management skills, my role as a coach and mentor aligns perfectly with my responsibilities as a Scrum Master. While Scrum is one aspect of our operations at Leonardo, I’m also transitioning into an agile coaching role, which involves embedding agile principles across the organisation, from project management to business development.
By leveraging my experience and promoting a culture of agility, I help teams work smarter and achieve better results, which has contributed to a positive impact within the company. Thus far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
What do you find most rewarding about working at Leonardo?
What I find most rewarding about working at Leonardo is the collaborative environment that fosters open communication. Colleagues frequently reach out to me for discussions, whether they're seeking advice or sharing challenges, and I encourage this by being approachable. I always tell new team members that if my status is green, they should feel free to call me.
This culture of collaboration is integral to our success and is embraced by everyone. While pockets of resistance to change exist, overall, the team is committed to continuous improvement and professional development. Leonardo actively supports this by providing access to resources like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning, allowing employees to pursue their learning paths.
Being in a role where I can coach and support others is incredibly fulfilling. I thrive on helping my colleagues navigate their challenges, knowing that I’m a valued member of the team. It’s refreshing to work in a place where everyone, from the MD to middle management, is approachable and willing to listen. This supportive culture truly makes a difference in our day-to-day work life.
Interested in joining Leonardo?
If you’d like to join the team at Leonardo, create a profile on the hackajob platform or log in to your profile here. Follow what they are up to on their hackajob profile.
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