Why Nice Teams Still Fail and the Power of Honest Conversations | Cristina Cranga

Cristina Cranga: Why Nice Teams Still Fail and the Power of Honest Conversations

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"Sometimes you can change people by only listening to them. Not giving advice—don't become an advice monster." - Cristina Cranga

 

Cristina shares her experience of sensing that something was off with a team but being unable to pinpoint exactly what it was. Instead of jumping to conclusions, she paused, reflected, and created an intervention plan centered on one thing: starting honest conversations. Through one-on-one discussions with team members, she discovered that the problem wasn't performance or process—it was something deeper. 

Expectations weren't aligned with reality, and frustration stemmed from a company culture that didn't offer psychological safety. Cristina introduces the concept of the "advice monster"—someone who constantly tells others what they should do rather than simply listening. She emphasizes that as Scrum Masters, we need to recognize the three layers of our influence: control, influence, and no control. 

Even when we can't solve problems, being present and listening can create profound change. The key is self-awareness of our own vulnerability as humans and compassion for others