Radical Candor: Communication at Work
Radical Candor: Communication at Work
Kim Scott, Jason Rosoff & Amy Sandler
Managing Managers: How to Navigate the Jump from Manager to Director 7 | 32
45 minutes Posted Aug 6, 2025 at 7:00 am.
) Introduction
) Core Management Principles
) Scaling Leadership Skills
) Speak Truth to Power Meetings
) Building Trust
) Handling Dysfunctional Teams
) Navigating Pressure from Above
) When to Step in Immediately
) Spotting Issues in Remote Teams
) When Moving Too Slowly Backfires
) Leading Through Identity
) Respectful Leadership
) Ask for Help the Right Way
) Radical Candor Tips
) Conclusion
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Show notes
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
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Chapters:
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Kim, Amy, and Jason introduce a Reddit question about becoming a first time company director.
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Why the fundamentals of good leadership apply at every level.
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Learning to coach managers instead of solving problems directly.
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Creating space for honest feedback across company hierarchies.
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Why listening first matters—especially in a new role.
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Avoiding harm by understanding the root of the issues.
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How to explain why slowing down builds a strong foundation.
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Stories of handling toxic behavior and disrespect as managers.
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Picking up subtle cues and helping team members course-correct.
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Lessons from when hesitation allowed issues to grow.
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How personal identity shapes experience and response in leadership.
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Examples of respectful leadership communication and collaboration.
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Encouragement for new leaders to share their plans and seek feedback.
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Tips for helping overwhelmed, hesitant, or siloed leaders.
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