Radical Candor: Communication at Work The Cost of the Move-Fast-Break-Things Mentality 7 | 17
Move fast, break things, and hope no one notices? Not so fast. In this episode, Kim and Jason rip into the shiny promise of speed at all costs—and the very real damage it leaves behind. From slashing vital research to chasing clicks with outrage bait, they expose how a lack of debate, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making can spiral into chaos. This isn’t just about tech; it’s about what happens when leaders skip the hard conversations and dodge the consequences. Drawing from their own experiences, they make the case for cultures that value learning over ego, action over excuses, and why psychological safety isn’t just nice to have—it’s non-negotiable. It’s a no-BS look at what happens when no one’s allowed to say, “Hey, maybe let’s not.”
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
- Transcript
- How To Get Shit Done | Radical Candor Podcast 4 | 2
- Leaders Can Move Fast And Fix Things
- CEO Of $4.2 Billion Tech Giant Says Defying Silicon Valley's ‘Move Fast And Break Things’ Mantra Was Essential To Growing His Business | Fortune
- Amy Edmondson—The Science Of Failing Well | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 18
- The Measurement Problem—Development Versus Management | Radical Candor Podcast 3 | 7
Connect:
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Jason introduce the episode's topic of the "move fast and break things" philosophy.
(00:00:31) Mistakes, Innovation, and Safety
Why admitting errors is key to progress—even in high-stakes fields.
(00:02:44) Ebola Funding Fallout
A case study in reckless decisions and real-world impact.
(00:05:08) When Speed Isn’t the Answer
How context matters—from search engines to nuclear plants.
(00:08:10) Accountability & Power
The erosion of checks and balances in tech and government.
(00:10:30) Scale Changes the Stakes
Why today’s tech giants can’t play by startup rules.
(00:14:40) Metrics That Mislead
How measuring engagement drives harmful content.
(00:20:01) Debate Fuels Innovation
Why creating space for disagreement leads to better outcomes.
(00:23:43) Power, Politics, and Platforms
How tech companies avoid regulation and the need for public input
(00:28:52) Inside Content Moderation
Kim’s Google stories and the need for democratic input.
(00:36:46) Why Oversight Is So Hard
The difficulty of encouraging informed debate in organizations.
(00:41:37) Radical Candor Tips
Tips for moving fast without breaking what matters most.
(00:42:52) Conclusion
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