From Taiwan to Portland: The Journey to Becoming Taiwan’s First CST
On May 5, 2023, an unforgettable moment took place in the Columbia-5 conference room on the third floor of the Hyatt Hotel in Portland, USA. It was here that I was officially welcomed into the CST community by a panel of five Scrum Alliance CST experts, who congratulated me on becoming a Certified Scrum Trainer. The two-hour interview process was the culmination of countless practice sessions and a long journey that began in Taiwan, covering over 10,000 kilometers and crossing a 15-hour time difference.
Although I was already a highly influential Agile professional in Taiwan, having experienced numerous top-level international exams and challenges, this was the most uncertain interview of my life. Even with thorough preparation, the support of my family, and encouragement from friends and advisors, I found myself unable to sleep, filled with anxiety about the outcome. I dared not hope for success, as my growth mindset aligned with the Scrum Alliance’s description of the CST application process: a rigorous journey that some candidates do not pass on their first attempt. Embracing this mindset allowed me to approach the process with a calm and steady heart, learning from each retrospective and continuously improving.
The path to becoming a CST requires patience, effort, and perseverance. Without experiencing the journey firsthand, it’s impossible to understand the challenges, lessons, and rewards it offers. I am thrilled to have completed this valuable “No Pain, No Gain” journey, becoming the first and only CST in Taiwan.
As an inspirational quote online says, “Everything will come to you at the right moment. Be patient and trust the process.” Since earning my CSP (Certified Scrum Professional) in 2015, I’ve remained committed to my Agile journey, continuously learning and growing. Along the way, I’ve earned a Doctorate in Dynamic Competition, become an ICF ACC professional coach, attended TBR training in the UK, managed an Agile community (Taiwan Agile Tribe), hosted the Regional Scrum Gathering (RSG) TAIPEI 2022, published a best-selling book on successful Agile product management, obtained the Scrum.org PSM III certification, and trained CSMs and enterprise Agile coaches.
This path has been a constant pursuit of growth and mastery in Agile knowledge, skills, experience, and accomplishments. With tenacious dedication to my goal, my journey has been a testament to the power of persistence and the accumulation of Agile expertise.
