Most leaders learn on the fly—and Kim knows the bruises that come with it. In this episode she joins longtime Google Distinguished Designer Ryan Germick to discuss the innovative "Kim Scott Portrait," an AI-powered tool designed by Google Labs (and trained by the real Kim) to scale Kim's expertise and deliver Radically Candid advice 24/7. Discover how this new technology aims to humanize AI, free authors from the burden of answering repetitive questions, and foster more productive communication in the workplace.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Ryan Germick introduce the “Portrait” collaboration—an AI version of Kim designed to scale her coaching.
(00:01:33) Live Coaching Demo
Kim’s Portrait answers a tough management question.
(00:03:36) Why the Portrait Matters
How the Portrait helps Kim reach more people and free up time for writing.
(00:05:38) Kim’s Next Book
A look into Kim’s upcoming optimistic novel set in 2070.
(00:06:30) Family Interactions with the Portrait
Funny and revealing story of Kim’s son debating the AI.
(00:08:10) The “Automated Kim” Origin Story
How a team joke at Google inspired the Portrait concept.
(00:09:29) Coaching at Scale
Why books and AI scale Kim’s message better than 1:1 coaching.
(00:11:41) Personalized vs Generic AI
The value of expert-driven Portraits over average LLM responses.
(00:12:57) Training the Portrait
Kim explains her hands-on role in fine-tuning its responses.
(00:14:44) Solving Repetitive Questions
How Portraits provide patient, consistent answers to FAQs.
(00:16:07) Productive Disagreement Through Portraits
The vision for AI-facilitated, respectful debates.
(00:17:26) Expanding Globally
Plans for multi-language and international Portrait availability.
(00:17:48) Real-World Use Cases
The ways Portraits support work, life, and social media decisions.
(00:20:23) Empathy-Driven AI
AI as a personal board of directors, with lived-experience expertise.
(00:23:51) Empowering Creators
Portraits can be embedded on creators’ own platforms—no lock-in.
(00:26:19) Lived Experience as Research
Kim defends storytelling as a valid path to truth and insight.
(00:28:24) Supporting New Managers
Portraits offer guidance during the lonely transition into leadership.
(00:31:11) Navigating Difficult Bosses
Portraits can help employees manage up with empathy and agency.
(00:33:30) Changing Workplace Culture
Helping people shift from silence or aggression to Radical Candor.
(00:36:17) Personality Extenders
Portraits as scalable human touchpoints for the future.
(00:38:51) Creating Your Own Portrait
How to create your own Portrait and scale your voice.
(00:39:48) Conclusion
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Radical Candor: Communication at Work 