Release Train Engineers (RTEs) have the opportunity to regularly practice and improve the skill of servant leadership. This skill is central to the RTE role in the SAFe framework, as RTEs are expected to be servant leaders and coaches to their Agile Release Trains (ARTs).
Servant leadership involves focusing on the needs of others, especially team members, before considering one’s own. It requires the leader to ensure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served to encourage teamwork and personal involvement. An RTE practicing servant leadership will:
1.Facilitate and Support: Help teams navigate through the SAFe processes, removing impediments and fostering an environment where teams can be effective1.
2.Coach and Mentor: Provide guidance to teams, Scrum Masters, and other stakeholders in Lean-Agile practices and mindsets1.
3.Lead by Example: Demonstrate the principles of Lean-Agile leadership, embodying the values and principles of SAFe in their daily work1.
4.Drive Continuous Improvement: Encourage and lead the efforts for relentless improvement within the ART, promoting a culture of innovation and continuous learning1.
5.Communicate and Align: Ensure that everyone on the ART understands the mission, vision, and goals, and is aligned in their efforts to achieve them1.
By regularly practicing and improving their servant leadership skills, RTEs can effectively lead their ARTs to deliver value more efficiently and foster a healthy, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.
