Divot #22: The Radical Candor Mindset: Honest Leadership, Feedback, and the Power of Truth
Oct 29, 2025
Kim Scott, New York Times bestselling author and leadership coach, dives into the principles of Radical Candor. She shares how her experiences at Google and Apple influenced her feedback-driven approach. Scott explores the origins of Radical Candor, emphasizing the balance of caring personally while challenging directly. She critiques the ineffective feedback sandwich and highlights the importance of honest communication in fostering trust. Valuable insights are offered on applying these ideas not just at work, but also in personal relationships.
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Care And Challenge Are One Practice
- Radical Candor means to care personally and challenge directly at the same time.
- Hierarchy often silences truth, so leaders must solicit and model candid feedback.
The Bob Story: Kindness That Hurts
- Kim tells the "Bob" story where she delayed feedback for 10 months and lost team trust.
- Bob asked, “Why didn't you tell me?” which revealed her kindness had become cruelty.
Prefer Two-Minute Corrections
- Use short, impromptu two-minute conversations to correct behavior before it escalates.
- Show you care by noticing the person's humanity, then be clear about the change you want.
