What is meant by the term 'servant leadership' in Scrum?

Servant leadership in the context of Scrum refers to a leadership style where the Scrum Master prioritizes the needs of the team above their own and works to support, empower, and facilitate team members in achieving their goals. This approach aligns with the principles of collaboration and continuous improvement inherent in Scrum. The Scrum Master acts as a coach and mentor, creating an environment where team members can thrive, encouraging open communication, and removing obstacles that may hinder the team's progress.

This style is essential for fostering a productive and self-organizing team, where members are encouraged to take ownership of their work and engage in decision-making processes. By focusing on serving the team, the Scrum Master enables the team to become more effective and efficient, which ultimately leads to better project outcomes.

The other options suggest leadership styles that do not align with the values of Scrum. For instance, a leadership approach focused on giving orders undermines the collaborative spirit of Scrum, while emphasizing competition detracts from teamwork and collective ownership. A leader prioritizing their own goals over the team’s objectives would create a dysfunctional environment, contrary to the collaborative nature central to Scrum principles.