Radical Candor: Communication at Work

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.

Navigating the nuances of tone in feedback can be tricky. Discover strategies to provide constructive criticism without sounding judgmental. Learn about the CORE framework—Context, Observation, Result, and Expected next steps—to communicate effectively. Explore the impact of language and tone, including the use of 'I statements' to convey feelings non-blamefully. Plus, gain insights into dealing with passive-aggressive behavior in conversations. Tune in for personal anecdotes that underscore the importance of kindness and courage in all interactions.

Chloé van Bergen, VP of Operations at Secretly Group, dives deep into the art of candid leadership. She shares her journey of implementing Radical Candor in a legacy-driven company, tackling challenges like unionization head-on. Chloé emphasizes that being 'nice' isn’t the same as being kind, highlighting cultural differences between the UK and the Netherlands. She also discusses the power of vulnerability in leadership and the importance of open communication in navigating complex work environments, all while delivering honest feedback.

Brandy Neal, a producer and script editor, shares her journey as a bisexual woman navigating the workplace. In a candid discussion, she tackles the challenges of LGBTQ+ invisibility, the pressures of pronoun politics, and the complexities of coming out. Brandy and her host highlight the importance of fostering true inclusivity, stressing that showing up authentically matters more than perfection. Their conversation sheds light on the emotional toll of hiding one's identity and the essential role of allyship in creating supportive environments.

Join Stephanie Chung, a trailblazing executive and author of "Ally Leadership," as she shares her insights on leading through chaos. She candidly discusses stepping into high-stakes roles amid crises and the importance of asking the right questions. Stephanie emphasizes the value of empathy, active listening, and allyship, especially for underrepresented leaders. She explores the complexities of emotional diversity in teams and blends Radical Candor with radical curiosity to foster authentic relationships and navigate organizational challenges.

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.

Debbie Millman, a renowned designer, author, and educator, dives into the messy side of creativity and growth during this eye-opening conversation. She shares how failure and self-doubt can pave the way for success, emphasizing that confidence isn’t magic. Through her gardening journey, she reveals lessons on patience and asking for help. Debbie's new book, 'Love Letter to a Garden,' intertwines personal struggles with newfound hope and even includes a delicious tomato sauce recipe from her wife, Roxane Gay. It's a delightful reminder to embrace the messiness and plant something.

Being the 'cool' boss might win you popularity, but it often lacks respect. Discover how accountability is a key leadership skill that fosters growth, rather than a sign of cruelty. Learn the fine line between being nice and being kind, and why timely feedback is essential. Unpack the emotional labor of leadership and explore how inspired teams outperform those led by fear. This engaging conversation challenges the myths of leadership and shares practical strategies to create a culture of accountability and collaboration.

From malfunctioning WiFi to epic commutes and offices mysteriously out of toilet paper, the “return to office” era is serving up workplace absurdity on a silver platter. Jason and Amy blow past the corporate spin and get Radically Candid about the “back to the office” push: why it’s often more about control than collaboration, how companies overlook basic human needs, and the ways these policies can quietly erode trust, productivity, and psychological safety. From generational gripes to the myth that face time means innovation, they call out the real reasons so many leaders want butts in seats—and why those reasons rarely hold up. Who’s actually benefiting from all this office hoopla? Because at Radical Candor, we believe real leadership means listening, adapting, and making work suck a whole lot less—even if it means challenging the status quo. Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast. Episode Links: Transcript Cockroaches And Working In A Closet: Inside Trump's Return-To-Office Order | Reuters No Toilet Paper And No Privacy: Returning To The Office, Federal Workers Walk Into Chaos | The New York Times Return To Office. Not Sure What To Do, A Bit Stressed. : R/Fednews What Happened At Your Org After They Implemented Their Return To Work Policy? : R/Jobs The Official List Of Every Company’s Back-To-Office Strategy | Hubble Federal Workers Ordered Back To Office Find Shortages Of Desks, Wi-Fi And Toilet Paper Does Returning To The Office Support Your Company’s Strategy? | HBR How To Get Return To Office Right | McKinsey RTO Mandate Trends In 2025: Why Forcing Employees Back To The Office Hurts Business | Hub Staff New Research Suggests Remote Jobs Are Best For Company’s Bottom Line | Forbes The Strength Of Weak Ties | Stanford Report Connect: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Jason and Amy introduce the episode’s topic on return to office trends. (00:01:28) The Radical Candor Remote Philosophy Why the company is remote-first and the downsides of in-person work. (00:06:41) Office Productivity & Innovation Whether productivity and innovation improve when in office.  (00:10:27) Navigating Unwanted Change Advice for employees facing unwanted return-to-office changes. (00:16:13) Should You Stay or Should You Go? Evaluating if you should start job hunting or try to adapt to the new reality. (00:19:17) Burnout, Hybrid, and Hidden Costs Research on burnout and the importance of workplace social connections. (00:24:19) The Cost of Constant Interruptions Challenges with distractions and productivity in office environments. (00:30:22) Generational and Gender Gaps Differences in RTO satisfaction in different demographics. (00:32:07) Having Effective RTO Conversations Advocating for your needs and establishing new office processes. (00:35:29) Radical Candor Tips Tips for employees and managers navigating return-to-office mandates. (00:39:48) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Chapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionKim and Jason introduce the episode's topic of the "move fast and break things" philosophy.(00:00:31) Mistakes, Innovation, and SafetyWhy admitting errors is key to progress—even in high-stakes fields.(00:02:44) Ebola Funding FalloutA case study in reckless decisions and real-world impact.(00:05:08) When Speed Isn’t the AnswerHow context matters—from search engines to nuclear plants.(00:08:10) Accountability & PowerThe erosion of checks and balances in tech and government.(00:10:30) Scale Changes the StakesWhy today’s tech giants can’t play by startup rules.(00:14:40) Metrics That MisleadHow measuring engagement drives harmful content.(00:20:01) Debate Fuels InnovationWhy creating space for disagreement leads to better outcomes.(00:23:43)  Power, Politics, and PlatformsHow tech companies avoid regulation and the need for public input(00:28:52) Inside Content ModerationKim’s Google stories and the need for democratic input.(00:36:46) Why Oversight Is So HardThe difficulty of encouraging informed debate in organizations.(00:41:37) Radical Candor TipsTips for moving fast without breaking what matters most.(00:42:52) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices