Back in 2018, after over 10 years and more than 250 Sprints (I lost count) working in and with Scrum Teams, I decided to attempt the PSM III exam — an assessment widely considered the toughest Scrum certification. This is when I felt my real journey with Professional Scrum had only just begun. I started documenting my learning journey in a blog called "Road to PSM III"
Professional Scrum emphasizes value-driven empiricism through evidence-based inspection and adaptation. There is a hunger for ongoing learning and development, with a commitment to high-quality standards and work ethics. It is characterized by true self-management guided by people living the Scrum Values.
I went into the PSM III with the confidence of someone who thought they “knew” Scrum. But passing the exam opened my eyes. I was beginning to realize how much more there was to learn. The experience humbled me.
It wasn’t that my prior work was amateurish — although to be honest, my first days were very much about Story Points, Burndowns, and Velocity. Over time, however, the game changed for me. I had to master the basics with my teams without getting lost in all those shiny (and sometimes misleading) complementary practices.
The PST journey is no walk in the park — it can take two years (or more) to complete! From the start, they assessed my motivation and ensured I aligned with Scrum.org’s mission and values. They checked if Empiricism coursed through my veins and if I had the drive to improve myself and the community. We discussed working agreements, and I quickly learned that while there are benefits to being a PST, the costs to get there are steep.
Beyond Certification
This journey isn’t about certifications (or making money by helping others acquire them). It is about learning to guide others toward more meaningful work. I experienced firsthand how effective training could leave a lifelong impact.
One more thing about certification. Certifications and training hold little value without real practice to back them up. The merit lies in validating that you understand the game and can play it like a pro. Let’s face it — most people only skim the surface, are quick to judge, and blast their blunt opinions overconfidently on LinkedIn (Hello, Dunning-Kruger! - we've been there)
Professionalism is not dogma; it’s about establishing a shared language with a commitment to uncover better ways together. Professionalism in Scrum means tackling challenges with skill, creativity, and integrity — not blind obedience, but respect — through diligent practice guided by a shared set of values and principles.
There’s nothing more fulfilling than being part of a team of calm professionals that achieves a self-transcending flow, making the impossible possible. My experience with Scrum has been predominantly empowering and enriching, and I like to work with others who take it seriously.
Facing Insecurity and Failing Fast
I was initially introduced to the Trainer Candidate Program about 4 years ago. And… I abandoned it shortly after 😳.
So much for courage and commitment huh! So why?
A mix of imposter syndrome and health struggles left me questioning my capability. I envied prominent trainers like Evelien Acun-Roos, Barry Overeem, and Christiaan Verwijs, who were pioneering training techniques like Liberating Structures and TBR (Training from the Back of the Room), and making an impact far beyond my reach. Their innovative approaches showed me how much I still had to grow.
That’s not to say I didn’t have my strengths. I had years of experience and made many contributions to the Scrum community. I’d created foundational Scrum training programs that were hands-on, immersive, and — dare I say — fun! I’d trained teams across industries and universities. I built a community with Serious Scrum and launched the “Road 2 Mastery,” a learning journey exploring agility through practical, hands-on adventures.
Yet, deep down, I thought of myself as an outsider… “You could be doing more. You could be better.” It wasn’t self-doubt in the traditional sense but a hunger… a realization that true mastery isn’t about what you’ve done but about the gaps still left to close.
I knew there was more to uncover, more ways to challenge myself, and more impact I could make. The question was: how?
Humbling Failures and Valuable Lessons
It turns out the answer was simple. “Just reach out to those who inspire you and if you’re lucky they will mentor/guide me.”
Thankfully after reaching out to Evelien she gave her thumbs up and suggested we work together.
Our collaboration started with creating an in-person version of the Road 2 Mastery based on TBR and other neuroscientific principles for effective learning. We also co-authored the Scrum Master Playbook.
With Evelien’s encouragement and support I (finally) reinitiated the PST journey, I quickly realized Scrum.org updated the journey making it even more challenging. There would be many times when my patience and commitment would be tested.
The first step was validating my knowledge and practical experience through essays and peer reviews. I assumed my Scrum experience would make this easy. It didn’t. 😶🌫️
My first two testimonial essays didn’t pass ❌, and I felt devastated. But the feedback I received, though hard to swallow, became the catalyst for deeper reflection and improvement.
Even though I had already passed PSM III, I was instructed to re-take it as a requirement for the PST journey. I didn’t look forward to doing it again, because word had it, it would be much harder this time. And the little confidence that remained crumbled when the results were in. ❌
Failing PSM III again during this process was another tough blow. Formulating concise yet complete answers proved far harder than expected. I had to retrain myself, practicing with study groups and even using tools like ChatGPT to coach me in refining my responses to be clear and concise.
These moments of failure made me humbler, more open to feedback, and, ultimately, a better trainer (if not a better human being). It was also fun to connect back with my study groups again.
After a few well-needed hugs and pats on the back, I re-engaged and passed!🎉
The Peer Review Challenges
Passing the initial gate, I entered the first Peer Reviews. The first one being the “Experience Review”. My peers were excited about my experience with Scrum and there were no major concerns.
The peer review evaluates how I have been an effective change agent, fostered experimentation, delivered value through Scrum, adapted strategies to diverse contexts, and applied lessons learned from challenging situations.
Next, I prepped for the “Training Skills Review”. Submitting training videos for peer review brought its unique challenges.
The virtual in-person Training Skills Peer Review was the next hurdle. Here, experienced trainers tested my ability to handle tough questions, misconceptions, and struggling students.
I showcased how I use quality materials that support learning objectives while avoiding cognitive overload. I kept my peers (who roleplayed as students) engaged through dynamic teaching and Q&A, managing real-time interactions to address questions and tangents without losing focus on key learning outcomes. I focussed on creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels encouraged to participate. I ensure discussions stay bottom-lined, highlighting the most important takeaways. I communicated clearly, using tone, pacing, and pauses to maintain engagement and validate if the content was absorbed. I actively listened to uncover underlying issues and assumptions behind questions, sharing concise, relevant stories that bring theoretical concepts to life. With empathy and clarity. It was not enough.
Despite all that, I over-prepared. My peers gave me tough but invaluable feedback. My stance was that of a facilitator and coach, but not as an instructor.
My initial attempts lacked conciseness, and I struggled with timeboxing. My over-preparedness became a double-edged sword — I tried to cram too much into my responses, often missing opportunities to connect personal stories or simplify concepts. I missed opportunities to correct misunderstandings. I went too deep into some rabbit holes.
It was only after practicing with peers and strictly timeboxing “lightning rounds” that I found my rhythm. Slowly but surely, I improved.
Failing the review initially was disheartening, but it gave me time to reflect and grow.
Although aside from Evelien many PSTs have supported me during the Peer Review process, a special shout-out goes to Michel van der Meulen and Ziryan Salayi.
Feedback, support from mentors, and sheer persistence kept me going until, at last, I passed another gate.
The Final Frontier: The Candidate Trainer Experience (CTE)
After 2 years in the program, I reached the CTE — the ultimate test. The CTE was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. Collaborating with other candidates Florin Manolescu and Jon Jorgensen made the experience richer. We roleplayed scenarios, tackled challenging questions, and received real-time feedback. What stood out most was the safe, supportive space created by the Scrum.org facilitators. Despite the intensity, it felt like a playground for growth. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Stephanie Ockerman and Pawel Mysliwiec for guiding us through that self-transcending experience.
Passing the CTW wasn’t the end. A final assignment gave me one last opportunity to showcase my ability to learn and adapt. When I officially received my PST status just before Christmas, it felt like the perfect culmination of a transformative journey.
Through this journey, I was supported by Daphne Harris the director of the training program, and Tiffanie Newton who were very kind, empathic, and supportive.
Key Takeaways
Here are some of the most profound lessons I’ve learned:
- Authenticity in Storytelling: Relatable, clear narratives build trust and make learning memorable. Initially, my stories lacked focus. Over time, I learned to craft them with a clear arc, tying them to Professional Scrum principles.
- The Power of Feedback: Whether it’s a rejected essay or a failed exam, constructive feedback is gold. The PST journey tested my resolve repeatedly. Each setback was an opportunity to grow — professionally and personally.
- Humility and Lifelong Learning: The more I learned, the more I realized how much I didn’t know. Mastery is a journey, not a destination.
- Be an Instructor. I learned to avoid the pitfall of falling/reverting into the coaching stance, being overly empathic and curious to the learners personal context — and instead be clear and concise without losing focus on the core principles of Professional Scrum. While empathy is valuable, I realized that over-accommodating learners’ personal contexts can dilute the clarity of key messages, and send the class down a path that is not relevant to all participants.
- Dare to Challenge Students: Embracing the courage to respectfully challenge (and sometimes shock) learners to challenge limiting beliefs and the status quo is pivotal in fostering meaningful change in the classroom.
It’s one thing to know this, and another to practice naturally.
To Aspiring Scrum Masters and Trainers
It’s one thing to want to be a PST. It’s another to want to become it. To anyone considering this path: embrace the failures, seek out mentors, and keep trying. The PST journey isn’t a walk in the park. It’s long, frustrating, repetitive, and humbling. But it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. If you’re serious about mastering Scrum training and helping others do the same, take it one step at a time.
Have you considered joining a PSM classroom training? Even if you already hold a PSM certificate but haven’t attended a class, this training is packed with hands-on techniques and practical insights that go far beyond the basics. There is a lot you can learn from the trainers. And, like myself, always happy to support you in your journey.