In a lively discussion, Andrew Palmer, a columnist for The Economist and host of the Boss Class podcast, shares insights on the challenges of modern leadership. He highlights how many are thrust into management roles without adequate training and the common pitfalls they face. Andrew dives into the myth of the 'natural leader', the vital need for clear communication, and the underrated power of writing things down. With humor and practical strategies, he emphasizes fostering a positive culture and rethinking feedback dynamics to support thriving workplaces.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Managers Need Practical Training
Many managers get no training and are promoted without desire or aptitude for management.
Providing practical advice helps people become better bosses and manage effectively.
insights INSIGHT
Management Is Poetry and Prose
Management is a mix of poetry and prose: inspiring vision and setting processes.
Effective managers handle both the human motivation and the organizational rhythm simultaneously.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Solicit Feedback First
Start feedback by soliciting criticism to normalize difficult conversations.
Regularly request feedback rather than only giving feedback during crises.
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Radical Candor by Kim Scott offers a practical approach to management by emphasizing the importance of caring personally and challenging directly. The book argues that effective managers must find a balance between being empathetic and providing clear, honest feedback. Scott draws from her experiences at Google and Apple to provide actionable lessons on building strong relationships, giving feedback, and creating a collaborative work environment. The book introduces the concept of 'radical candor' as the sweet spot between obnoxious aggression and ruinous empathy, and provides tools and strategies for managers to implement this approach in their daily work[1][2][5].
Being a boss is hard—and most people are thrown into it with zero training and a vague job description. Kim and Jason are joined by Andrew Palmer—yes, that Andrew Palmer from The Economist’s “Bartleby” column and host of the Boss Classpodcast—for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about what leadership looks like when it’s done well…and when it’s not. Together, they dig into the hilarious, maddening, and meaningful realities of modern management: from the awkward feedback moments and the myth of the “natural leader,” to power corruption and the poetry-prose balance of real leadership. Andrew brings the receipts (read: research), and together they swap tips on blocking your calendar like a boss, making your expectations explicit, and the underrated power of writing things down (including what not to do). This isn’t about chasing the latest leadership trend—it’s about holding on to the stuff that actually helps people thrive at work. Whether you're a seasoned manager, a team player, or simply trying not to lose your mind in a sea of emails, this one’s for you.
Radical Candor: Communication at Work 
