Kim, Jason, and Amy respond to a real-life leadership curveball: what happens when you accept a new role—only to find out mid-interview that it’s actually a director position? Inspired by a question from Reddit, they share practical advice for anyone navigating the leap from managing individuals to managing managers. Learn how to build trust early, create a strong feedback culture, and recognize when to listen and when to take action. Whether you’re new to leadership or just feeling a little unprepared, remember: you don’t have to have all the answers. Leading with Radical Candor means you care personally, challenge directly, and stay curious. Your job isn’t to fix everything—it’s to help your team grow. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links:⁠ Transcript Accidentally Landed A Director Role | Reddit What Do Managers of Managers Do? (The Crank Call From Kim) 4 | 16 Five Principles For Successfully Managing Managers Are You a Manager of Managers? Here's How Speak-Truth-To-Power Meetings Can Make Your Workplace More Equitable Leading Large Teams: How to Manage 50+ Direct Reports In an Open Office or Factory Setting Context Matters — Share Your Radical Candor Stories 3 | 2 Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim, Amy, and Jason introduce a Reddit question about becoming a first time company director. (00:01:12) Core Management Principles Why the fundamentals of good leadership apply at every level. (00:03:18) Scaling Leadership Skills Learning to coach managers instead of solving problems directly. (00:05:35) Speak Truth to Power Meetings Creating space for honest feedback across company hierarchies. (00:07:39) Building Trust Why listening first matters—especially in a new role. (00:11:52) Handling Dysfunctional Teams Avoiding harm by understanding the root of the issues. (00:13:19) Navigating Pressure from Above How to explain why slowing down builds a strong foundation. (00:14:46) When to Step in Immediately Stories of handling toxic behavior and disrespect as managers. (00:17:37) Spotting Issues in Remote Teams Picking up subtle cues and helping team members course-correct. (00:19:03) When Moving Too Slowly Backfires Lessons from when hesitation allowed issues to grow. (00:23:52) Leading Through Identity How personal identity shapes experience and response in leadership. (00:27:16) Respectful Leadership Examples of respectful leadership communication and collaboration. (00:30:30) Ask for Help the Right Way Encouragement for new leaders to share their plans and seek feedback. (00:33:50) Radical Candor Tips Tips for helping overwhelmed, hesitant, or siloed leaders. (00:42:00) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candor Coach and executive coach Farrah Mitra joins Amy Sandler to share her 4-step Communicating Change Framework—a practical guide for leaders navigating layoffs, performance conversations, or org changes. Learn how to deliver tough news with kindness, clarity, and confidence, without causing unnecessary harm. A must-listen for anyone leading through change with Radical Candor. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Communicating Change with Clarity and Care—A Framework for Leaders The Biggest Reason We Run from Challenging Conversations What's Your Radical Candor Story? Candor Coaches Share The Feedback They're Most Grateful For Farrah Mitra | LinkedIn Lead Change Better: A New Way to Communicate What’s Coming Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Amy introduces Farrah Mitra, Radical Candor coach and creator of the Communicating Change framework. (00:01:49) Why This Matters Two stories that highlight the power of how change is communicated. (00:04:47) Framing Makes the Difference How message delivery impacts emotional response. (00:06:28) Goals of the Framework The overarching goal of the Communicating Change framework. (00:07:36) Why We Avoid Empathy Why leaders struggle with human-centered communication during change. (00:09:54) Structure Creates Confidence Creating a process that facilitates courage and clarity in conversations. (00:11:30) Communicating Change Framework A framework that gives leaders direction during tough conversations. (00:13:00) Coaching for Mindset Shifts Coaching to focus on reframing how leaders feel before they speak. (00:14:20) Reframing from Guilt to Partnership A real coaching story shows how shifting mindset changes everything. (00:17:51) Grief, Identity & Communication Why emotional processing is key before delivering hard news. (00:21:00) Clarifying the Message Choosing a narrative that doesn't mix performance and role decisions. (00:25:13) Focus on the Receiver Questions to help reverse engineer empathetic communication. (00:29:02) Helpful Phrasing Tips Phrasing examples to tailor language to ensure authenticity and clarity. (00:31:15) Empathy vs. Niceness Thoughtfully using structure to communicate with clarity and compassion. (00:35:24) Company-Wide Implementation How one org made the framework part of their leadership culture. (00:38:19) Why Empathy Still Wins Human-centered communication prevents harm—even in tough moments. (00:39:52) Connect with Farrah Where to connect with Farrah and find her framework. (00:41:11) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Amy talks with Harvard Business School professor and author of The Ritual Effect, Michael Norton, about how simple acts—like tapping your lucky pen or that sacred coffee run—can do more than you think. We're talking stress relief, team bonding, and (yes) actually making work feel meaningful. They unpack the difference between rituals and habits, why your team’s goofy lunch routine might be a stealth morale boost, and how even a tiny shared check-in—emoji-style—can reconnect us across the remote void. No kumbaya circles required. Tune in for a surprising, deeply human take on how we find connection, purpose, and a little weird joy in the everyday. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Michael Norton Behavioral Science Books | Michael Norton  Michael I. Norton | Harvard Business School  Humblebragging: A Distinct—and Ineffective—Self-Presentation Strategy  Matchmaking Promotes Happiness | Social Psychological and Personality Science  Rituals Quiz | What Are Your Rituals? | Michael Norton  The Calming Power of Rituals | WSJ Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Amy Sandler introduces guest Michael Norton and his book The Ritual Effect. (00:00:55) The Meaning in Small Rituals A fun and engaging ritual exercise to demonstrate emotional connections. (00:02:52) From Skeptic to Advocate Michael’s journey from being a ritual skeptic to writing The Ritual Effect. (00:05:49) The Meaning of Rituals How rituals naturally emerge to provide structure and meaning. (00:07:53) Rituals vs. Habits The emotional difference between habits and rituals. (00:10:06) Rituals as Emotion Generators The dual role of rituals in generating and managing emotions. (00:12:49) The Power of Collective Rituals How shared rituals strengthen bonds and emotional resonance. (00:14:07) Rituals in the Workplace Examples of team rituals that foster bonding and purpose. (00:16:39) Testing Rituals in Experiments Research showing even made-up rituals increase group cohesion. (00:20:37) Creating Work Rituals Advice for leaders to co-create rituals for new work teams. (00:23:12) Adapting Rituals for Remote Work How teams have developed virtual rituals to maintain connection online. (00:25:53) Meaningful Rituals in the Workplace The significance of rituals in the workplace for individuals and leaders. (00:29:11) Evaluating the Benefits of Rituals How rituals contribute positively to mental health and well-being. (00:32:40) Leaders Supporting Organic Rituals Encouraging authentic rituals without imposing corporate mandates. (00:35:40) Aligning Rituals with Team Values Using rituals to express and reinforce organizational values. (00:37:20) Discovering Your Rituals Exploring the rituals in your life through Michael’s Ritual Quiz. (00:40:52) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When your one-on-ones start sounding like therapy sessions with zero breakthroughs, it’s time to ask—what’s really going on here? Jason and Amy unpack a Reddit post from a manager caught in a swirl of venting, defiance, and total burnout from their team. They dive into what venting actually signals, why some people shoot down every idea (even the good ones), and how to rebuild trust when the whole vibe is off. Sometimes it’s not about “fixing” people—it’s about listening like you mean it and why “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” might be the most toxic advice you never meant to give. It’s a deep dive into messy middle management moments, complete with hard truths, small wins, and the uncomfortable art of getting unstuck—without just slapping on a smile and pretending everything’s fine. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Effective 1:1s - Tips For One-on-One Meetings With Your Team | Radical Candor 7 Ways To Improve One-on-One Meetings | Radical Candor Have More Effective 1:1 Meetings | Radical Candor Podcast 2 | 9 Resistant Direct Reports | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 8 The Go-To Question | Radical Candor Podcast 2 | 8 Some direct reports have nothing to say during 1-on-1s | Reddit Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Jason and Amy introduce a Reddit post about managing one-on-ones that turn into venting sessions. (00:02:35) Complaining vs. Valid Frustration How to treat repeated venting as a signal, not background noise. (00:04:00) The Manager’s Middle Role The challenges of managing from the middle of the org chart. (00:05:12) Listening as a Strategic Tool Why reflective listening helps clarify what really matters to your team. (00:06:33) Soliciting Specific Feedback Effectively Using targeted questions to gather feedback from frustrated reports. (00:09:52)Tailoring Feedback Questions Why not all feedback questions are equal: timing and specificity are key. (00:10:37) Celebrating Small Wins How to acknowledge constraints while celebrating progress. (00:12:17) Shifting from Emotion to Action Encouraging forward motion by focusing on what can be done now. (00:14:19) Managing Venting Time Balancing space to vent with the need to move forward. (00:17:03) Venting Culture & Peer Influence How one person’s negativity can shape the entire team dynamic. (00:19:01) Manipulative Insincerity & Unmet Needs Understanding venting as a shortcut to connection and belonging. (00:20:35) “Don’t Bring Me Problems” – Helpful or Harmful? Why banning complaints can backfire—and what to do instead. (00:22:14) The Roleplay: Shooting Down Every Idea A roleplay showing how to respond when every idea gets shot down. (00:27:00) Solutions Without Overpromising How to be honest about constraints without losing trust. (00:28:54) Radical Candor Tips Actionable tips to guide productive, empathetic one-on-ones. (00:31:38) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in the U.S. get fewer days off than folks in Europe, and most of us still feel guilty taking them. Kim and Amy dive headfirst into a viral Reddit post that reads like a love letter to European work-life sanity (and a roast of U.S. grind culture). From vanishing vacations to broken healthcare, Kim reflects on what she’s learned leading teams, taking parental leave, and watching her inbox balloon on every trip. They dig into the messy reality of “unlimited PTO,” why burnout can’t be yoga’d away, and how leaders can build workplaces that actually honor rest. Plus, Kim reacts live to advice on this problem from her own Google Portrait—an AI that Kim helped design with Google to tackle workplace BS when real Kim is off the clock. It’s part cultural reckoning, part vacation manifesto, and 100% Radical Candor. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Kim Scott Portrait From Google Labs | Radical Candor Kim Scott’s Portrait | Google Labs Try My Google Portrait | YouTube ​​Humanizing AI: Meet the Kim Scott Google Portrait | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 27   Radical Candor, Real-Time With Google's AI Portraits | YouTube As a European, The U.S. Work Culture Looks Like Dystopia With Better Branding: r/antiwork European Employee Blasts US Work Culture in Viral Post: 'Dystopia' | Newsweek What Is The Lazy Girl Job Trend And Why Should You Care? | Radical Candor A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US | PNHP Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Amy introduce a viral Reddit thread comparing U.S. and European work cultures. (00:03:01) Personal Vacation Needs How vacation needs differ based on individual rhythms and roles. (00:06:43) Unlimited Time Off – Does It Work? The pitfalls of unlimited PTO and whether it discourages actual rest. (00:10:29) Healthcare History & Economic Impact How employer-tied health coverage burdens both people and businesses. (00:14:53) Cultural Mindsets, AI & Policy Gaps The need for government mandates to help protect overall wellbeing. (00:20:28) Leading with Compassion in Organizations The role of leadership in building burnout-resistant workplace cultures. (00:24:25) Centeredness Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All How forced wellness fails and support must be personalized. (00:26:36) Introducing Kim’s Google Portrait The motivation behind Radical Candor AI and Google Portraits. (00:31:47) Human vs. Portrait Kim Kim reacts to her Portrait’s response to the Reddit thread. (00:35:04) Radical Candor as a Solution The Portrait outlines how Radical Candor helps challenge toxic norms. (00:37:30) Portraits as Scalable Empathy Amy shares her own impressive interaction with the Portrait. (00:39:41) Radical Candor Tips Tips to support wellbeing and long-term, human-centered success. (00:41:43) Judging Work Styles & Power Dynamics The influence leaders have on working preferences and email etiquette. (00:44:23) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most leaders learn on the fly—and Kim knows the bruises that come with it. In this episode she joins longtime Google Distinguished Designer Ryan Germick to discuss the innovative "Kim Scott Portrait," an AI-powered tool designed by Google Labs (and trained by the real Kim) to scale Kim's expertise and deliver Radically Candid advice 24/7. Discover how this new technology aims to humanize AI, free authors from the burden of answering repetitive questions, and foster more productive communication in the workplace. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Now You Can Talk Radical Candor 24/7 With the Kim Scott Portrait Google Portrait | Kim Scott Ryan Germick - Google | LinkedIn Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Ryan Germick introduce the “Portrait” collaboration—an AI version of Kim designed to scale her coaching. (00:01:33) Live Coaching Demo Kim’s Portrait answers a tough management question. (00:03:36) Why the Portrait Matters How the Portrait helps Kim reach more people and free up time for writing. (00:05:38) Kim’s Next Book A look into Kim’s upcoming optimistic novel set in 2070. (00:06:30) Family Interactions with the Portrait Funny and revealing story of Kim’s son debating the AI. (00:08:10) The “Automated Kim” Origin Story How a team joke at Google inspired the Portrait concept. (00:09:29) Coaching at Scale Why books and AI scale Kim’s message better than 1:1 coaching. (00:11:41) Personalized vs Generic AI The value of expert-driven Portraits over average LLM responses. (00:12:57) Training the Portrait Kim explains her hands-on role in fine-tuning its responses. (00:14:44) Solving Repetitive Questions How Portraits provide patient, consistent answers to FAQs. (00:16:07) Productive Disagreement Through Portraits The vision for AI-facilitated, respectful debates. (00:17:26) Expanding Globally Plans for multi-language and international Portrait availability. (00:17:48) Real-World Use Cases The ways Portraits support work, life, and social media decisions. (00:20:23) Empathy-Driven AI AI as a personal board of directors, with lived-experience expertise. (00:23:51) Empowering Creators Portraits can be embedded on creators’ own platforms—no lock-in. (00:26:19) Lived Experience as Research Kim defends storytelling as a valid path to truth and insight. (00:28:24) Supporting New Managers Portraits offer guidance during the lonely transition into leadership. (00:31:11) Navigating Difficult Bosses Portraits can help employees manage up with empathy and agency. (00:33:30) Changing Workplace Culture Helping people shift from silence or aggression to Radical Candor. (00:36:17) Personality Extenders Portraits as scalable human touchpoints for the future. (00:38:51) Creating Your Own Portrait How to create your own Portrait and scale your voice. (00:39:48) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being a boss is hard—and most people are thrown into it with zero training and a vague job description. Kim and Jason are joined by Andrew Palmer—yes, that Andrew Palmer from The Economist’s “Bartleby” column and host of the Boss Class podcast—for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about what leadership looks like when it’s done well…and when it’s not. Together, they dig into the hilarious, maddening, and meaningful realities of modern management: from the awkward feedback moments and the myth of the “natural leader,” to power corruption and the poetry-prose balance of real leadership. Andrew brings the receipts (read: research),  and together they swap tips on blocking your calendar like a boss, making your expectations explicit, and the underrated power of writing things down (including what not to do). This isn’t about chasing the latest leadership trend—it’s about holding on to the stuff that actually helps people thrive at work. Whether you're a seasoned manager, a team player, or simply trying not to lose your mind in a sea of emails, this one’s for you. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links Transcript Andrew Palmer  Managing Is Hard—Here’s What Actually Helps | Radical Respect LinkedIn Boss Class podcast  Bartleby | The Economist  Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever tried giving someone feedback about their tone…without sounding like the tone police? This episode was sparked by a listener wrestling with just that—and let’s be real, it’s something we’ve all tripped over. Join Kim and Jason as they dive into the messy, nuanced world of tone: why it matters, how to talk about it without getting judgmental, and what to do when someone’s words are technically fine but their delivery leaves the room on edge. Using the CORE framework—Context, Observation, Result, and Expected next steps—they break down how to be specific about what happened, how it landed, and how to move forward without sounding accusatory or vague. Tune in to hear Kim and Jason unpack real-life examples, share the coaching that worked (and what didn’t), and explore how bias, culture, and identity play into how tone is received. Bonus: Kim gets personal about a recent experience that reminded her why kindness and courage matter—on and off the mic. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links Transcript The Evil Translator & The Fundamental Attribution Error | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 21 How To Measure Feedback | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 41 The Word Police | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 25 The Importance Of Communication In The Workplace | Radical Candor 8 Ways To Fix Communication Issues In The Workplace | Radical Candor Are You Giving Biased Feedback? 5 Ways To Overcome Protective Hesitation | Radical Candor How To Give Candid Feedback With the Radical Candor CORE Method Radical Candor Community: CORE Course Radical Respect Newsletter Textio Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Jason introduce a listener’s question about addressing tone with CORE. (00:02:51) When “Technically Fine” Still Feels Off How misinterpretations and sensitivities around tone impact teams. (00:03:54) Observing vs. Interpreting Tone Avoiding misattributions by observing, not just interpreting. (00:06:39) Shifting from “You Statements” to “I Statements” Using reactions to provide grounded, less judgmental feedback. (00:07:30) Using Impact to Shift Perspective How describing the impact of tone keeps the conversation constructive. (00:08:51) Coaching Through Goals, Not Emotions A story about using feedback to overcome sounding arrogant. (00:11:42) Reframing CORE to Match Your Audience Using CORE to focus on tangible outcomes, not just feelings. (00:13:57) What Not to Do: Avoiding Coded Language The biased undertones certain words like "shrill" or "aggressive" carry. (00:16:22) Be Specific: Volume, Pace, Tension Being specific when giving feedback about tone delivery. (00:18:00) Extending Grace Giving the benefit of the doubt when something lands poorly. (00:20:10) Praise When They Get It Right The positive impact of giving feedback when tone lands well. (00:22:03) Handling Tone in Public Meetings When to react in real time and when it’s better to follow up privately. (00:24:16) Breaking the False Harmony in the Room A story about addressing passive-aggressive tension in a meeting. (00:27:43) Private Inquiry or Public Repair A story about how Google’s CEO gracefully handled a tone misstep. (00:29:41) Radical Candor Tips Practical tips on how to give feedback on tone. (00:31:27) ICE Deportation & Bearing Witness A story about a beloved community member deported by ICE.  (00:34:25) The Danger of Secret Cruelty The dehumanization of silent suffering and concealed harm. (00:37:05) This Isn’t a One-Off: It’s Systemic Broader systemic issues and how routine cruelty has become normalized. (00:39:49) There’s Still Hope: Do the Right Thing The Radical Candor mission to care personally and challenge directly. (00:41:16) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fun fact: this episode exists thanks to a few pints and a little Radical Candor in the wild. Our audio engineer Nick met today’s guest, Chloé van Bergen, VP of Operations at Secretly Group, at his brother’s stag do. One loud London pub and an honest conversation later—we knew we had to get her on the show. Join Kim and Amy for a candid conversation with Chloé about what it really takes to lead change inside a legacy-driven music company. She gets real about navigating unionization, confronting indifference, and learning—sometimes the hard way—that being “nice” isn’t the same as being kind. From UK-style politeness to Dutch directness, Chloé shares what worked (and what didn’t) when rolling out Radical Candor across continents. Spoiler: no sugarcoating here — just straight up kind and clear. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript⁠⁠ Chloé van Bergen | LinkedIn  Nick Carissimi Secretly Group Secretly Canadian | Info Granny Alice Avoid The Feedback Sandwich | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 15 Toxic Positivity | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 27 Navigating Radical Candor and Cultural Differences How To Navigate Feedback Conversations On Diverse Teams | Radical Candor Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect | Will Guidara  Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building | Claire Hughes Johnson  Pivot: Eight Principles for Transforming your Business in a Time of Disruption | Will Page  Secretly Group: Workers at Indie-Music Company Begin Efforts to Unionize | Rolling Stone Secretly Group Union Earns Contract In Major Milestone for Indie Music Organizing | Rolling Stone Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Amy introduce Chloé van Bergen, VP of Operations at Secretly Group. (00:01:04) From Stag Do to Podcast Guest How a chance meeting at a UK pub led to Chloé joining the show. (00:05:25) What Is Secretly Group? The structure, history, and collaborative ethos of Secretly Group. (00:09:05) Discovering Radical Candor Being introduced to Radical Candor and the mindset shift it inspired. (00:10:42) Struggling with Direct Feedback Using Radical Candor to move past the fear of being too blunt. (00:12:43) Giving Feedback Across Borders Navigating cultural differences in feedback styles across countries. (00:17:25) Practicing Vulnerability Through Action Building confidence by starting to speak up, one moment at a time. (00:20:07) Pandemic Leadership & Operational Overhaul Navigating starting during COVID and legacy infrastructures. (00:25:13) Rockstar vs. Superstar: Rethinking Growth Learning not everyone wants to climb—some excel where they are. (00:29:50) Unionization During COVID How a union announcement led to a company-wide listening reset. (00:34:57) Adapting to AI & Industry Shifts Staying open by staying honest—even without having all the answers. (00:36:28) Kind ≠ Nice: Facing Hard Truths How kindness isn’t niceness—and can slow down change. (00:39:33) Chloé’s Radical Candor Tip Having the courage to say the thing, even if it feels uncomfortable. (00:42:46) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re celebrating Pride Month, and to kick us off, Amy and Brandi get real about the unfiltered, often uncomfortable truth of being LGBTQ+ in the workplace—where invisibility can feel safer than honesty, and “inclusion” doesn’t always include you. In this 'best of' episode, they unpack the messy layers of LGBTQ+ identity at work—from pronoun politics and people-pleasing to being “the only one” in the room. If you’ve ever felt unseen at work—or want to ensure your team doesn’t have to—this one’s for you. Showing up matters more than getting it perfect. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Radically Candid Pride: Coming Out at Work Coming Out – Human Rights Campaign 7 Myths About Coming Out at Work Coming Out at Work Pride Month Shows Employers Have a Long Way to Go Supporting LGBTQ+ Workers’ Mental Health Beyond rainbow washing: Supporting LGBTQ+ at work and beyond How to support the LGBTQ+ community at work and beyond What Not To Say to Someone Who Has Come Out As Bisexual Coming out at work: transgender scientists share their stories Nearly half of LGBTQ employees in the US think being “out” at work is a bad career move Why Bisexual Adults Report Higher Rates of Mental Distress – The New York Times The 10 Most Groundbreaking Bisexual Characters of All Time Your Guide to the Best Online LGBTQ+ Counseling Options in 2023 Read the ‘Yep, I’m Gay’ Ellen DeGeneres Interview From 1997 Attitude: As Bisexual Awareness Week approaches, four bisexuals tell us if they feel accepted in 2023 Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Amy introduce the episode focusing on coming out at work.  (00:01:42) Why Representation Matters Statistics on workplace discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ employees. (00:05:22) Pronouns, Labels & Personal Identity The limiting nature of pronouns and labelling oneself. (00:09:52) Living a Double Life Dating secretly and the sense of being "othered" in mainstream culture.  (00:13:06) The Limited Supply The isolation created by the absence of a visible queer community. (00:17:37) The Spiritual Journey & Other Closets How the act of coming out led to a deeper exploration of spirituality. (00:19:37) The Cost of Hiding at Work The emotional and psychological toll of being closeted in the workplace. (00:21:04) Finally Coming Out at Work The slow, iterative process of coming out and how Radical Candor helped. (00:23:21) The Bisexual Experience at Work The unique stigmas bisexuals face within and outside LGBTQ+ spaces. (00:28:15) Words, Labels & Inner Homophobia The complexity of identity labels and how internalized bias can shape them. (00:32:37) The Power of Representation in Media The importance of media characters who normalize LGBTQ+. (00:36:26) Inclusion & the Privilege of Presentation Soliciting inclusive feedback and how privilege shapes perceptions. (00:40:21) Hair as Identity & Microaggressions A painful but powerful story about being judged for appearances.  (00:43:40) Being the Only One in the Room The exhaustion of being the sole representative of marginalized identities. (00:46:30) Making Mistakes & Owning Them The role of feedback and straight allies in creating inclusive spaces. (00:49:43) What Allies Can Do A story about support when encountering a homophobic comment.  (00:52:03) Setting Boundaries The importance of respecting privacy and rejecting invasive curiosity (00:54:29) Radical Candor Tips Key takeaways on supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues (00:58:12) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices