From Change Agent to Change Enabler: Aman Kochar On Leadership & Growth 7 | 9

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Feb 26, 2025

Aman Kochar, CEO of Baker & Taylor and author, shares insights on navigating tough conversations at work. He emphasizes the importance of leaning into discomfort to foster a culture of feedback and growth. Aman discusses his journey as an underrepresented leader and the shift from being a change agent to enabler, highlighting the power of transparency. Personal storytelling and self-advocacy play crucial roles in building trust among teams. He reminds us that real change starts with real conversations, urging leaders to both give and seek feedback.

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ANECDOTE

The Meaning of a Name

Aman Kochar shares the meaning and cultural significance of his name, Amandeep, meaning "lamp of peace".
He discusses how he embraced his full name after years of shortening it for others' convenience.

INSIGHT

From Change Agent to Change Enabler

Kochar's leadership philosophy emphasizes enabling change rather than solely driving it.
He believes in empowering others and acting as a facilitator for growth.

ANECDOTE

Leadership Struggles and Growth

Kochar discusses his struggle with being the youngest person in management and initially ruffling feathers.
He transitioned from being a change agent to an appeaser, then to manipulative insincerity, before finding success with vulnerability.

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Avoiding tough conversations? Lean in, speak up, and make them count.

Ever find yourself avoiding a tough conversation at work because, well…it’s just easier? We get it. But what if leaning into discomfort could actually make things better—for you, your team, and your company? In this episode, Kim and Amy sit down with Amandeep (Aman) Kochar, CEO of Baker & Taylor, to talk about how he uses Radical Candor to break down barriers, build trust, and create a culture where feedback fuels growth instead of fear. Aman gets real about his own struggles—navigating leadership as an underrepresented executive, learning to lead with vulnerability, and shifting from pushing change to making space for it. From leading a 200-year-old company through transformation to rethinking power dynamics in leadership, he lays out why transparency matters, how to handle resistance without backing down, and why the best leaders don’t just give feedback—they ask for it. The bottom line? Real change starts with real conversations. Ready to ditch the fear and lead with candor? Let’s go. Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy welcome guest Amandeep (Aman) Kochar, CEO of Baker & Taylor.
(00:00:58) The Meaning of a Name
Aman shares how his name reflects identity and leadership.
(00:07:23) Leading a 200-Year-Old Company
The challenges of driving change in a legacy organization.
(00:11:34) From Change Agent to Change Enabler
Gaining trust, embracing vulnerability, and leading with impact.
(00:18:27) Overcoming Resistance
Tackling workplace culture shifts and rebuilding trust.
(00:24:18) Creating Open Communication
Implementing town halls and fostering transparency.
(00:30:00) Empowering Employees
Strategies for shifting decision-making power to frontline employees.
(00:34:28) Rethinking Feedback
Turning feedback into a tool for growth, not fear.
(00:44:16) Repairing Relationships
Overcoming negative perceptions and fostering collaboration.
(00:47:15) Leadership & Self-Reflection
Unlearning cultural conditioning and using self awareness to grow.
(00:52:51) Filtering Feedback
Separating identity from work-related feedback to focus on growth.
(00:53:58) Radical Candor Tips
Lessons on trust, feedback, and fostering change.
(01:01:19) Conclusion

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