The Evil Translator & The Fundamental Attribution Error (Best of) 7 | 21

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May 21, 2025

The discussion dives into the fundamental attribution error, revealing how we often misjudge others by blaming their character rather than considering situational factors. Hilarity ensues as Jason shares his struggles with the 'evil little translator' in his head that twists feedback into harsh self-criticism. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their communication styles, emphasizing the importance of focusing on behaviors instead of personality traits. This insightful chatter blends humor with valuable lessons for better workplace interactions.

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INSIGHT

The Fundamental Attribution Error

The fundamental attribution error causes us to attribute others' behavior to their personality rather than situational factors.
This error makes problems harder to fix since personal attributes are difficult to change.

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INSIGHT

Knowing Reduces Bias

The less you know someone and the more different they are from you, the more likely you are to make the fundamental attribution error.
Most people do not intend to harm others; context heavily influences behavior.

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ANECDOTE

Changing "You're Wrong"

A colleague improved his reputation by replacing 'You're wrong' with 'I think that's wrong.'
This shift made his criticism more personal and constructive, enhancing receptiveness.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Understanding Misattributions

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Building Understanding Through Communication

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Behavior Over Traits in Communication

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The Impact of Context in Communication

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On this Best of episode of the Radical Candor podcast, Kim, Jason and Amy discuss how the fundamental attribution error makes us more likely to use personality attributes to explain someone else’s behavior rather than considering our own behavior or situational factors that were probably the real cause of the behavior. This is where the “not about personality” part of Radical Candor comes into play. Plus, Jason shares a hilarious (and painfully relatable) story about the “evil little translator” in his head that used to turn even well-meaning feedback into: 🗣️ “You’re terrible. You’re completely incompetent. It’s a miracle you tied your shoes this morning.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Tune in, laugh, and maybe rethink the way you hear feedback.

Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

Transcript
Beware The Fundamental Attribution Error: Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 8
6 Tips for Giving Helpful Feedback
Get to the CORE of Giving Radically Candid Feedback
Fundamental attribution error – Wikipedia
Fundamental Attribution Error: What It Is & How to Avoid It
Giving Feedback: 4 Ways To Avoid Personalizing It
Fundamental Attribution Error – The Decision Lab
The Three Components of Self-Compassion

Connect:

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⁠Bluesky⁠

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Amy, Kim, and Jason introduce the episode topic of the Fundamental Attribution Error.

(00:01:46) Humility Before Feedback

Why feedback opens the door to better understanding and solutions.

(00:04:50) The Empty Boat

A parable highlighting how misjudgments stem from our own triggers.

(00:07:59) Blame the System or the Person?

How systemic forces shape behavior more than we realize.

(00:09:05) Building Relationships to Overcome Bias

Whether relationships reduce our tendency to make assumptions.

(00:11:15) Reframing How We Give Feedback

How a simple language shift transforms conflict into connection.

(00:14:54) Feedback Without Personality Labels

How focusing on action makes feedback more impactful.

(00:16:12) The CORE (or CORN) Framework

Overview of a framework that makes feedback clear and actionable.

(00:18:33) Real-World Examples of CORE

An example of how CORE could have de-escalated a situation.

(00:22:24) CORE Keeps Feedback Focused

How CORE shifts feedback from past-focused to future-focused.

(00:27:01) Internal Critic and Self-Compassion

Unpacking how our harsh inner voice colors how we hear feedback.

(00:34:29) Managing Sensitive Team Members

How to support colleagues with self-doubt through clarity and care.

(00:36:12) From Furious to Curious

Alternatives to personality-based criticism to make feedback constructive.

(00:38:19) Radical Candor Tips

Practical, actionable tips for giving and receiving feedback with care.

(00:42:44) Conclusion

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