Show notes
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 7 Ways To Improve One-on-One Meetings | Radical Candor Have More Effective 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 | RedditConnect: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube BlueskyChapters:(Jason and Amy introduce a Reddit post about managing one-on-ones that turn into venting sessions.(How to treat repeated venting as a signal, not background noise.(The challenges of managing from the middle of the org chart.(Why reflective listening helps clarify what really matters to your team.(Using targeted questions to gather feedback from frustrated reports.(Why not all feedback questions are equal: timing and specificity are key.(How to acknowledge constraints while celebrating progress.(Encouraging forward motion by focusing on what can be done now.(Balancing space to vent with the need to move forward.(How one person’s negativity can shape the entire team dynamic.(Understanding venting as a shortcut to connection and belonging.(Why banning complaints can backfire—and what to do instead.(A roleplay showing how to respond when every idea gets shot down.(How to be honest about constraints without losing trust.(Actionable tips to guide productive, empathetic one-on-ones.(Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices