How Deferrals on My Journey to Certified Scrum Trainer Helped Me Grow

Every year, people apply to become Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) so that they can not only deliver Scrum Alliance courses but also expand the reach of scrum and agile across the globe. The process is rigorous, evaluating extensive scrum understanding and world-class training ability. At times, the process leads to an application deferral. Below, we learn about Jan Neudecker's CST journey. You can also read part 1 of Jan's story.

The path to becoming a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST®) is one that I have long aspired to walk. What I didn't expect, however, was how much the journey itself would shape me—not just professionally, but personally. Being deferred can be tough, and in 2021, when I received my first deferral in the process, it was a real blow to my confidence. Initially, I found it difficult to stay motivated, but as I have come to learn, every setback is a stepping stone for growth.

A little context:

In the journey to becoming a CST, candidates achieve the CST standards by creating and delivering training with their personal course materials, leveraging their hands-on experience with scrum teams within their training, being an engaged member of the scrum and agile community, and embodying the scrum values. If the application doesn’t meet all criteria, the application is deferred. Scrum Alliance uses the word “deferral” with intention because it highlights and recognizes the growth process that often occurs after receiving a deferral and emphasizes that, by integrating feedback iteratively and incrementally, an applicant is much more likely to be successful.

The days following the CST deferral

I took some time to digest the feedback and reached out to several of my mentors to gain different perspectives. It was important for me to sit with the feedback, step back, and allow some time to pass before I re-engaged. During those months, I reevaluated my career steps and identified key areas for improvement. One of the conclusions I drew was that I needed to focus more on coaching again. I believe that to be an effective trainer, you must also be a strong coach and scrum master. So, I dedicated 2022 to deepening my coaching practice, and this shift gave me new energy for my CST journey. To accomplish this, I joined an extensive coaching education program and supported clients as an agile coach more often again and reduced the amount of time spent in the training room to make room for that.

During that time, I also made a pivotal decision to switch jobs to focus on learning in other areas, especially those involving the human side of coaching and training. I wanted to explore how to integrate psychological models into my work, which shifted my focus toward understanding clients' needs before jumping to solutions. This approach was transformative and forced me to rethink how I interacted with individuals in both training and coaching contexts. I learned to take the time to connect with people personally, understand their struggles, and let go of the urge to offer immediate solutions.

How I grew 

Prioritizing individuals and interactions

One of the main points of feedback I received in 2021 was to shift my focus even more toward individuals and interactions rather than processes and tools. This job switch allowed me to address this feedback daily. When I started revisiting my course materials with these new learnings in mind, I cut out a lot of content and refocused on the core learning objectives. I also took more time to reflect on how the entire learning journey unfolds, from the first contact with students to the post-training follow-up. This restructuring was critical in my growth as a trainer.

Slowing down with intention

Another piece of feedback I received was that my initial application felt rushed. As tough as that was to hear, it was probably true. For my resubmission, I committed to taking my time. I gave myself the space to grow, learn, and polish my application to ensure it reflected the quality and intention behind my work. I even skipped a possible resubmission slot because I didn’t want to rush the process again. This decision marked a shift in my mindset—acknowledging that this journey is about continuous improvement and deepening my skills as a trainer and coach.

Tapping into a peer group

A key part of my preparation for the final assessment was the close collaboration I had with a group of fellow trainers who were preparing for the same assessment time slot. We worked together intensely, sharing insights, practicing, and giving each other feedback. It was a unique experience to be surrounded by peers going through the same process, and it significantly impacted my confidence and readiness. This collective effort and the depth of preparation gave me new perspectives, and when the week of the final Trainer Approval Committee (TAC) assessment came, I had done all that I could have to prepare. Thank you, Jon, John, and Gino, for an unforgettable experience and success story that ended with all 4 of us making it through the final assessment.

Going global

Another major influence on my growth was my engagement with the international community. The reviewers mentioned that while I was active in the German-speaking community, they wanted to see more global engagement. Taking this to heart, I started to look for opportunities beyond my local scene. This led to some fantastic experiences, like being featured on Vasco Duarte’s Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, one of the largest scrum-related podcasts. I also volunteered at the Global Scrum Gathering in Lisbon, which was a rewarding experience that further deepened my connections within the community. Becoming an admin for the LinkedIn "Agile" group, growing it from 70,000 when I joined to 120,000 members today, was another key milestone in my journey toward broader engagement.

Resubmitting the CST application

By the time I submitted my application again, it was clear how much I had grown—not only as a trainer but as a coach and community member. The final assessment, which had initially seemed daunting, turned out to be a rewarding experience. The TAC was nothing but fair and respectful throughout the process. Their approach made me feel supported, and they created an environment that was both challenging and encouraging. I genuinely enjoyed the assessment, and I’m confident that this positive experience happened because I was fully ready and well-prepared, thanks to the collaboration with my peers and the thorough preparation leading up to it.

Looking back, the rejection in 2021 was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to take a step back, reevaluate my priorities, and focus on areas of growth that I had overlooked. This journey has always been about evolving as a trainer, coach, and member of the community. It allowed me to deepen my understanding of scrum values and how to better serve those I work with.

Looking forward

Failure or setbacks are part of success. If you decide to get on the path to become a CST, prepare for that and embrace it.

I would also expect all my scrum teams to welcome feedback and learn and grow from it.
Even if your initial reaction might be “the TAC has misunderstood me or misjudged my material” this is most likely not the case. In sprint reviews you will not be able to convince a user that your product is different than they have perceived it. Neither should you try to convince the TAC or blame them for your failure. Part of the journey is to be able to take in feedback, no matter if you like it or not, and learn from it.

As I continue my journey, I am grateful for every challenge, every piece of feedback, and every opportunity to learn and grow. This process has taught me that sometimes the setbacks are the most valuable part of the journey. I am excited about the future and about continuing to contribute to the global scrum community in meaningful ways.

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If you're interested in taking your agile career and leadership to the next level, consider embarking on the journey to become a Certified Scrum Trainer. If you have any questions about the process, please contact CST Applications for more information.

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