🔍 Fish Mindset vs Chicken Mindset in Scrum Teams 🐟🐔
What actually drives real productivity?

In most Agile/Scrum teams, I notice two very different work styles showing up again and again.

One type works quietly.
Focused on the Sprint goal.
Takes ownership.
Delivers consistently.

The other type is very visible.
Always active in discussions.
Sharing frequent updates.
Looks busy — but not always impactful.

Neither style is “good” or “bad” by default. The problem starts when visibility begins to replace value delivery.

👉 So what happens when noise overtakes outcomes in a Sprint?

📌 1. Predictability suffers
When attention shifts from finishing work to staying visible, Sprint commitments lose meaning. Velocity becomes unstable and delivery confidence drops.

📌 2. Unplanned work increases
Excessive syncs, side conversations, and constant context switching pull focus away from moving backlog items to Done.

📌 3. Activity is mistaken for productivity
Lots of conversations, tickets moving around, and updates can look productive — while actual customer value remains low. Measuring the right things (flow, delivery frequency, outcomes) tells a very different story.

📌 4. Team balance matters
High-performing teams create space for both thoughtful execution and healthy communication. Real productivity happens when contribution — not volume — is valued.

🔑 Leadership takeaway
In Agile environments, outcomes should always outweigh optics.
The teams that move products forward aren’t always the loudest — they’re the most aligned, focused, and committed.

📈 Productivity isn’t about who speaks the most.
🚀 It’s about who delivers value — consistently.