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My first Regional Scrum Gathering in Stockholm – key takeaways

Ali Akram

I’ve recently attended the Regional Scrum Gathering in Stockholm, and let me tell you — it was everything I hoped for and more. Not only was it packed with top-notch speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and tons of networking, but it was also an experience that gave me new ideas and strategies to take back to my teams.

If you’re passionate about Agile or curious about it, these are my top five takeaways from the conference that will give you a glimpse into what made it so powerful.

1. The power of group intelligence

The Regional Scrum Gathering in Stockholm kicked off with an electrifying keynote from Agile legend Linda Rising, who spoke on “Group Intelligence: What Science Says About the Intelligence of Groups.” I’ve read a lot about collective intelligence before, but hearing Linda opened my eyes to just how much the dynamics within a team impact its effectiveness.

One of her key points was that groups, if nurtured well, can be more intelligent than any individual, regardless of their skill level. It’s not just about putting smart people together; it’s about creating the right environment.

Factors like empathy, communication patterns, and diversity (particularly the number of women in the group) significantly contribute to a team’s intelligence. The takeaway? Building “social sensitivity” — teams that can tune into each other’s emotions and communicate openly — can be the secret to unlocking high-performing teams. I left her session inspired to look at how I could foster this sensitivity in my teams.

2. Designing products with inclusivity in mind

Following the keynote, I attended an amazing workshop led by Savanna Kulkarni called “Building Intelligent Products for Every Mind.” This session was a deep dive into inclusive product design, challenging us to think beyond standard user personas to build products that truly cater to everyone. Savanna encouraged us to ask, “Are we unintentionally excluding people?”

Her talk gave me a new lens on designing for accessibility and neurodiversity. We worked in groups on scenarios focused on inclusivity, brainstorming ways to make products that are friendly to a range of cognitive and sensory needs.

It was so hands-on, and we left with actionable ideas to ensure we’re not just designing for the “average” user but creating a truly accessible experience for everyone. This session expanded my understanding of inclusivity in product design and added a few critical items to my to-do list that I’m eager to explore further.

READ: Agile government innovation: Tiny teams, mighty impact

3. The importance of psychological safety in agile teams

One theme in almost every session was the importance of psychological safety. Psychological safety allows team members to feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear of ridicule or reprimand. It’s a concept I’m familiar with, but hearing it emphasised by so many Agile thought leaders underscored its value in achieving a genuinely Agile mindset.

One speaker highlighted how psychological safety is directly linked to innovation. Teams that feel safe are more likely to experiment, to challenge the status quo, and to learn from failures.

This hit home — I’ve seen how much smoother projects go when team members feel comfortable expressing themselves. I’m now thinking about ways to reinforce this safety in my teams and to create an environment where every voice feels heard and valued.

4. Agile isn’t just for developers

Agile isn’t just for developers or IT teams anymore. Agile methodologies have begun making waves across all industries, from marketing to HR to healthcare. A session I attended explored how non-tech teams use Scrum, Kanban, and other frameworks to streamline their workflows, improve collaboration, and create more adaptive, flexible work environments.

This showed how Agile can be applied more broadly within organisations. How Agile principles can be used in HR, finance teams, and even at the leadership level. Here at Zaizi we are great at this but the conference gave me the sense that Agile has the potential to change not just how organisations deliver products but also how they operate and evolve.

5. The magic of networking and sharing experiences

What surprised me most was how inspiring it was to talk to other attendees. People from all over the world were there, sharing stories and insights from their own Agile journeys.

I met people who had just started learning Agile, as well as seasoned coaches and trainers who had been practising for decades. It was fascinating to hear about their challenges, the creative solutions they’ve tried, and the successes they’ve celebrated.

Networking at the conference made me realise the value of learning from others. It’s easy to get stuck in our routines and processes, but meeting people who have tried different approaches made me think about new things I could try with my teams.

Plus, I now have a list of people I can reach out to for advice and perspective whenever I need it, which is something I couldn’t have gotten without attending this event in person.

So many final thoughts but here are a few

Attending the Regional Scrum Gathering in Stockholm was enlightening . Not only did I walk away with a notebook full of ideas and action points, but I also gained a renewed passion for Agile and its potential to transform teams.

If you’ve never been to an Agile conference, I highly recommend it.

Whether you’re just getting started in Agile or you’ve been practising for years, there’s something incredibly motivating about being surrounded by people who are just as enthusiastic about continuous improvement as you are.

As I head back to my own teams, I’m excited to put some of these insights into practice — and to see what new ideas and approaches they inspire in us.

Having guided many teams through their agile journeys, I’m always happy to share experiences and tackle challenges together. If you’re from the public sector and want a chat through your challenges, feel free to reach out. 

Thanks for joining us! We’ll keep you informed with regular updates.

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