What type of leader is a Scrum Master described as?

A Scrum Master is best described as a participatory leader because their role is centered around facilitation, collaboration, and empowering the Scrum team. Unlike a directive leader who makes decisions for the team and provides direct orders, the Scrum Master encourages team members to engage actively in the decision-making process. Their focus is on fostering an environment where the team can self-organize, communicate openly, and solve problems collaboratively.

In a participatory leadership style, the Scrum Master guides the team by promoting shared ownership of tasks and responsibilities, which is fundamental to the Agile principles. This approach helps to build trust and encourages innovation as team members feel empowered to contribute their ideas and expertise.

Moreover, a participatory leader supports continuous improvement, which aligns with the Scrum framework's emphasis on regular retrospectives and adaptations. The Scrum Master facilitates these discussions and encourages participation to enhance the team's effectiveness and productivity. Therefore, this leadership approach is essential for the success of Scrum practices within an organization.