From Uncertainty to Scrum Mastery: The Journey of Banele

Introduction

In 2023, I had the privilege of meeting one of the most inspiring students I’ve ever coached – Banele Tschabalala.

One day, Banele reached out to me and said, “Igor, I’ve been thinking about becoming a Scrum Master. I want to learn more about it – who a Scrum Master is, what they do, and what their responsibilities are.”

As someone who is deeply passionate about developing new Scrum Masters, I immediately accepted the challenge – not just as a teacher, but as a mentor who would guide him beyond the certification.

Banele’s journey was not easy at the start. He faced many uncertainties, especially when trying to understand the difference between Agile and Scrum. Could a team be Agile without using Scrum? Could a team use Scrum and still not be Agile? These questions were just the beginning.

Building the Foundation: Understanding Agile

Step by step, Banele started to grasp the core of Agile philosophy—its values, principles, and the advantages it offers compared to traditional ways of working.

We explored the Agile Manifesto, breaking down its four values and twelve principles, ensuring he understood why Agile exists, not just how it works.

Once he developed a solid understanding of Agile, we moved on to Agile Product Management. I wanted him to experience:

📌 The difference between iterative and incremental development
📌 How combining both approaches creates a powerful product development strategy
📌 Why Agile isn’t just for software, but for any complex work environment

At this point, everything started making sense. Banele realized that Agile is like a diet, while Scrum is just one type of diet—a structured approach to achieving agility.

---

Diving into Scrum: The Framework for Agility

The next milestone was understanding Scrum itself. The first lesson? The difference between a framework and a methodology. Many people confuse these concepts, so it was crucial to clarify that:

✔️ Scrum is not a rigid methodology—it is a lightweight framework that enables teams to work more effectively while being Agile.
✔️ Scrum is not the goal—it is simply a means to an end, a structure that helps teams navigate complexity.

Through our coaching sessions, we used:

✅ Quizzes to reinforce key Scrum concepts.
✅ Real-world scenarios to test his understanding.
✅ Open discussions to clarify doubts and challenge his thinking.

The 16+ hours of training were intense, but Banele absorbed every lesson with curiosity and determination. Every session deepened his understanding, bringing him one step closer to his goal.

---

The Certification Journey

After completing the course, the first thing Banele said to me was, “I’m ready for PSM I.”

The very next day, he messaged me with his exam results—he passed! 🎉

Banele had officially become a Professional Scrum Master. But more than that, he became a leader, a public speaker, and a respected figure in the Agile community in South Africa. He expanded his network, built strong connections, and embraced the challenges of the Agile world.

The True Role of an Agile Coach

Banele’s journey is proof that with the right support, mentorship, and determination, anyone can achieve their goals. His success was not just his own—it was also a success for me as his Agile Coach.

This journey reinforced a simple truth:

📌 An Agile Coach’s success is measured by the success of others.

A great Agile Coach is like a black hole—you can’t see it directly, but you can observe its impact on everything around it. When people grow, evolve, and succeed, it’s a reflection of the invisible force guiding them in the background.

---

Conclusion

Banele’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship, perseverance, and the right learning mindset. His transformation from an uncertain learner to a confident Scrum Master and speaker proves that:

✔️ Scrum is not just about theory—it’s about practice.
✔️ True mastery comes from experience, discussions, and problem-solving.
✔️ Agile Coaching is about serving others, enabling their success.

If you’ve been thinking about becoming a Scrum Master but don’t know where to start—just like Banele once did—take the first step today.

Your journey may be challenging, but with the right guidance, you can turn uncertainty into mastery. 🚀