Radical Candor: Communication at Work

This week, Amy talks with Harvard Business School professor and author of The Ritual Effect, Michael Norton, about how simple acts—like tapping your lucky pen or that sacred coffee run—can do more than you think. We're talking stress relief, team bonding, and (yes) actually making work feel meaningful. They unpack the difference between rituals and habits, why your team’s goofy lunch routine might be a stealth morale boost, and how even a tiny shared check-in—emoji-style—can reconnect us across the remote void. No kumbaya circles required. Tune in for a surprising, deeply human take on how we find connection, purpose, and a little weird joy in the everyday.

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

Episode Links:

Transcript

Michael Norton

Behavioral Science Books | Michael Norton 

Michael I. Norton | Harvard Business School 

Humblebragging: A Distinct—and Ineffective—Self-Presentation Strategy 

Matchmaking Promotes Happiness | Social Psychological and Personality Science 

Rituals Quiz | What Are Your Rituals? | Michael Norton 

The Calming Power of Rituals | WSJ

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Amy Sandler introduces guest Michael Norton and his book The Ritual Effect.

(00:00:55) The Meaning in Small Rituals

A fun and engaging ritual exercise to demonstrate emotional connections.

(00:02:52) From Skeptic to Advocate

Michael’s journey from being a ritual skeptic to writing The Ritual Effect.

(00:05:49) The Meaning of Rituals

How rituals naturally emerge to provide structure and meaning.

(00:07:53) Rituals vs. Habits

The emotional difference between habits and rituals.

(00:10:06) Rituals as Emotion Generators

The dual role of rituals in generating and managing emotions.

(00:12:49) The Power of Collective Rituals

How shared rituals strengthen bonds and emotional resonance.

(00:14:07) Rituals in the Workplace

Examples of team rituals that foster bonding and purpose.

(00:16:39) Testing Rituals in Experiments

Research showing even made-up rituals increase group cohesion.

(00:20:37) Creating Work Rituals

Advice for leaders to co-create rituals for new work teams.

(00:23:12) Adapting Rituals for Remote Work

How teams have developed virtual rituals to maintain connection online.

(00:25:53) Meaningful Rituals in the Workplace

The significance of rituals in the workplace for individuals and leaders.

(00:29:11) Evaluating the Benefits of Rituals

How rituals contribute positively to mental health and well-being.

(00:32:40) Leaders Supporting Organic Rituals

Encouraging authentic rituals without imposing corporate mandates.

(00:35:40) Aligning Rituals with Team Values

Using rituals to express and reinforce organizational values.

(00:37:20) Discovering Your Rituals

Exploring the rituals in your life through Michael’s Ritual Quiz.

(00:40:52) Conclusion

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When your one-on-ones start sounding like therapy sessions with zero breakthroughs, it’s time to ask—what’s really going on here? Jason and Amy unpack a Reddit post from a manager caught in a swirl of venting, defiance, and total burnout from their team. They dive into what venting actually signals, why some people shoot down every idea (even the good ones), and how to rebuild trust when the whole vibe is off. Sometimes it’s not about “fixing” people—it’s about listening like you mean it and why “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” might be the most toxic advice you never meant to give. It’s a deep dive into messy middle management moments, complete with hard truths, small wins, and the uncomfortable art of getting unstuck—without just slapping on a smile and pretending everything’s fine.

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

Episode Links:

Transcript

Effective 1:1s - Tips For One-on-One Meetings With Your Team | Radical Candor

7 Ways To Improve One-on-One Meetings | Radical Candor

Have More Effective 1:1 Meetings | Radical Candor Podcast 2 | 9

Resistant Direct Reports | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 8

The Go-To Question | Radical Candor Podcast 2 | 8

Some direct reports have nothing to say during 1-on-1s | Reddit

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Jason and Amy introduce a Reddit post about managing one-on-ones that turn into venting sessions.

(00:02:35) Complaining vs. Valid Frustration

How to treat repeated venting as a signal, not background noise.

(00:04:00) The Manager’s Middle Role

The challenges of managing from the middle of the org chart.

(00:05:12) Listening as a Strategic Tool

Why reflective listening helps clarify what really matters to your team.

(00:06:33) Soliciting Specific Feedback Effectively

Using targeted questions to gather feedback from frustrated reports.

(00:09:52)Tailoring Feedback Questions

Why not all feedback questions are equal: timing and specificity are key.

(00:10:37) Celebrating Small Wins

How to acknowledge constraints while celebrating progress.

(00:12:17) Shifting from Emotion to Action

Encouraging forward motion by focusing on what can be done now.

(00:14:19) Managing Venting Time

Balancing space to vent with the need to move forward.

(00:17:03) Venting Culture & Peer Influence

How one person’s negativity can shape the entire team dynamic.

(00:19:01) Manipulative Insincerity & Unmet Needs

Understanding venting as a shortcut to connection and belonging.

(00:20:35) “Don’t Bring Me Problems” – Helpful or Harmful?

Why banning complaints can backfire—and what to do instead.

(00:22:14) The Roleplay: Shooting Down Every Idea

A roleplay showing how to respond when every idea gets shot down.

(00:27:00) Solutions Without Overpromising

How to be honest about constraints without losing trust.

(00:28:54) Radical Candor Tips

Actionable tips to guide productive, empathetic one-on-ones.

(00:31:38) Conclusion

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People in the U.S. get fewer days off than folks in Europe, and most of us still feel guilty taking them. Kim and Amy dive headfirst into a viral Reddit post that reads like a love letter to European work-life sanity (and a roast of U.S. grind culture). From vanishing vacations to broken healthcare, Kim reflects on what she’s learned leading teams, taking parental leave, and watching her inbox balloon on every trip. They dig into the messy reality of “unlimited PTO,” why burnout can’t be yoga’d away, and how leaders can build workplaces that actually honor rest. Plus, Kim reacts live to advice on this problem from her own Google Portrait—an AI that Kim helped design with Google to tackle workplace BS when real Kim is off the clock. It’s part cultural reckoning, part vacation manifesto, and 100% Radical Candor.

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

Episode Links:

Transcript

Kim Scott Portrait From Google Labs | Radical Candor

Kim Scott’s Portrait | Google Labs

Try My Google Portrait | YouTube

​​Humanizing AI: Meet the Kim Scott Google Portrait | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 27  

Radical Candor, Real-Time With Google's AI Portraits | YouTube

As a European, The U.S. Work Culture Looks Like Dystopia With Better Branding: r/antiwork

European Employee Blasts US Work Culture in Viral Post: 'Dystopia' | Newsweek

What Is The Lazy Girl Job Trend And Why Should You Care? | Radical Candor

A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US | PNHP

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Kim and Amy introduce a viral Reddit thread comparing U.S. and European work cultures.

(00:03:01) Personal Vacation Needs

How vacation needs differ based on individual rhythms and roles.

(00:06:43) Unlimited Time Off – Does It Work?

The pitfalls of unlimited PTO and whether it discourages actual rest.

(00:10:29) Healthcare History & Economic Impact

How employer-tied health coverage burdens both people and businesses.

(00:14:53) Cultural Mindsets, AI & Policy Gaps

The need for government mandates to help protect overall wellbeing.

(00:20:28) Leading with Compassion in Organizations

The role of leadership in building burnout-resistant workplace cultures.

(00:24:25) Centeredness Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

How forced wellness fails and support must be personalized.

(00:26:36) Introducing Kim’s Google Portrait

The motivation behind Radical Candor AI and Google Portraits.

(00:31:47) Human vs. Portrait Kim

Kim reacts to her Portrait’s response to the Reddit thread.

(00:35:04) Radical Candor as a Solution

The Portrait outlines how Radical Candor helps challenge toxic norms.

(00:37:30) Portraits as Scalable Empathy

Amy shares her own impressive interaction with the Portrait.

(00:39:41) Radical Candor Tips

Tips to support wellbeing and long-term, human-centered success.

(00:41:43) Judging Work Styles & Power Dynamics

The influence leaders have on working preferences and email etiquette.

(00:44:23) Conclusion

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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.

Episode Links:

Transcript

Now You Can Talk Radical Candor 24/7 With the Kim Scott Portrait

Google Portrait | Kim Scott

Ryan Germick - Google | LinkedIn

Connect:

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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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 Class podcast—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.

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

Episode Links

Transcript

Andrew Palmer 

Managing Is Hard—Here’s What Actually Helps | Radical Respect LinkedIn

Boss Class podcast 

Bartleby | The Economist 

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

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Ever tried giving someone feedback about their tone…without sounding like the tone police? This episode was sparked by a listener wrestling with just that—and let’s be real, it’s something we’ve all tripped over. Join Kim and Jason as they dive into the messy, nuanced world of tone: why it matters, how to talk about it without getting judgmental, and what to do when someone’s words are technically fine but their delivery leaves the room on edge. Using the CORE framework—Context, Observation, Result, and Expected next steps—they break down how to be specific about what happened, how it landed, and how to move forward without sounding accusatory or vague. Tune in to hear Kim and Jason unpack real-life examples, share the coaching that worked (and what didn’t), and explore how bias, culture, and identity play into how tone is received. Bonus: Kim gets personal about a recent experience that reminded her why kindness and courage matter—on and off the mic.

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

Episode Links

Transcript

The Evil Translator & The Fundamental Attribution Error | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 21

How To Measure Feedback | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 41

The Word Police | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 25

The Importance Of Communication In The Workplace | Radical Candor

8 Ways To Fix Communication Issues In The Workplace | Radical Candor

Are You Giving Biased Feedback? 5 Ways To Overcome Protective Hesitation | Radical Candor

How To Give Candid Feedback With the Radical Candor CORE Method

Radical Candor Community: CORE Course

Radical Respect Newsletter

Textio

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Kim and Jason introduce a listener’s question about addressing tone with CORE.

(00:02:51) When “Technically Fine” Still Feels Off

How misinterpretations and sensitivities around tone impact teams.

(00:03:54) Observing vs. Interpreting Tone

Avoiding misattributions by observing, not just interpreting.

(00:06:39) Shifting from “You Statements” to “I Statements”

Using reactions to provide grounded, less judgmental feedback.

(00:07:30) Using Impact to Shift Perspective

How describing the impact of tone keeps the conversation constructive.

(00:08:51) Coaching Through Goals, Not Emotions

A story about using feedback to overcome sounding arrogant.

(00:11:42) Reframing CORE to Match Your Audience

Using CORE to focus on tangible outcomes, not just feelings.

(00:13:57) What Not to Do: Avoiding Coded Language

The biased undertones certain words like "shrill" or "aggressive" carry.

(00:16:22) Be Specific: Volume, Pace, Tension

Being specific when giving feedback about tone delivery.

(00:18:00) Extending Grace

Giving the benefit of the doubt when something lands poorly.

(00:20:10) Praise When They Get It Right

The positive impact of giving feedback when tone lands well.

(00:22:03) Handling Tone in Public Meetings

When to react in real time and when it’s better to follow up privately.

(00:24:16) Breaking the False Harmony in the Room

A story about addressing passive-aggressive tension in a meeting.

(00:27:43) Private Inquiry or Public Repair

A story about how Google’s CEO gracefully handled a tone misstep.

(00:29:41) Radical Candor Tips

Practical tips on how to give feedback on tone.

(00:31:27) ICE Deportation & Bearing Witness

A story about a beloved community member deported by ICE. 

(00:34:25) The Danger of Secret Cruelty

The dehumanization of silent suffering and concealed harm.

(00:37:05) This Isn’t a One-Off: It’s Systemic

Broader systemic issues and how routine cruelty has become normalized.

(00:39:49) There’s Still Hope: Do the Right Thing

The Radical Candor mission to care personally and challenge directly.

(00:41:16) Conclusion

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Fun fact: this episode exists thanks to a few pints and a little Radical Candor in the wild. Our audio engineer Nick met today’s guest, Chloé van Bergen, VP of Operations at Secretly Group, at his brother’s stag do. One loud London pub and an honest conversation later—we knew we had to get her on the show. Join Kim and Amy for a candid conversation with Chloé about what it really takes to lead change inside a legacy-driven music company. She gets real about navigating unionization, confronting indifference, and learning—sometimes the hard way—that being “nice” isn’t the same as being kind. From UK-style politeness to Dutch directness, Chloé shares what worked (and what didn’t) when rolling out Radical Candor across continents. Spoiler: no sugarcoating here — just straight up kind and clear.

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

Episode Links:

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Kim and Amy introduce Chloé van Bergen, VP of Operations at Secretly Group.

(00:01:04) From Stag Do to Podcast Guest

How a chance meeting at a UK pub led to Chloé joining the show.

(00:05:25) What Is Secretly Group?

The structure, history, and collaborative ethos of Secretly Group.

(00:09:05) Discovering Radical Candor

Being introduced to Radical Candor and the mindset shift it inspired.

(00:10:42) Struggling with Direct Feedback

Using Radical Candor to move past the fear of being too blunt.

(00:12:43) Giving Feedback Across Borders

Navigating cultural differences in feedback styles across countries.

(00:17:25) Practicing Vulnerability Through Action

Building confidence by starting to speak up, one moment at a time.

(00:20:07) Pandemic Leadership & Operational Overhaul

Navigating starting during COVID and legacy infrastructures.

(00:25:13) Rockstar vs. Superstar: Rethinking Growth

Learning not everyone wants to climb—some excel where they are.

(00:29:50) Unionization During COVID

How a union announcement led to a company-wide listening reset.

(00:34:57) Adapting to AI & Industry Shifts

Staying open by staying honest—even without having all the answers.

(00:36:28) Kind ≠ Nice: Facing Hard Truths

How kindness isn’t niceness—and can slow down change.

(00:39:33) Chloé’s Radical Candor Tip

Having the courage to say the thing, even if it feels uncomfortable.

(00:42:46) Conclusion

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We’re celebrating Pride Month, and to kick us off, Amy and Brandi get real about the unfiltered, often uncomfortable truth of being LGBTQ+ in the workplace—where invisibility can feel safer than honesty, and “inclusion” doesn’t always include you. In this 'best of' episode, they unpack the messy layers of LGBTQ+ identity at work—from pronoun politics and people-pleasing to being “the only one” in the room. If you’ve ever felt unseen at work—or want to ensure your team doesn’t have to—this one’s for you. Showing up matters more than getting it perfect.

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

Episode Links:

Transcript

Radically Candid Pride: Coming Out at Work

Coming Out – Human Rights Campaign

7 Myths About Coming Out at Work

Coming Out at Work

Pride Month Shows Employers Have a Long Way to Go

Supporting LGBTQ+ Workers’ Mental Health

Beyond rainbow washing: Supporting LGBTQ+ at work and beyond

How to support the LGBTQ+ community at work and beyond

What Not To Say to Someone Who Has Come Out As Bisexual

Coming out at work: transgender scientists share their stories

Nearly half of LGBTQ employees in the US think being “out” at work is a bad career move

Why Bisexual Adults Report Higher Rates of Mental Distress – The New York Times

The 10 Most Groundbreaking Bisexual Characters of All Time

Your Guide to the Best Online LGBTQ+ Counseling Options in 2023

Read the ‘Yep, I’m Gay’ Ellen DeGeneres Interview From 1997

Attitude: As Bisexual Awareness Week approaches, four bisexuals tell us if they feel accepted in 2023

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Kim and Amy introduce the episode focusing on coming out at work. 

(00:01:42) Why Representation Matters

Statistics on workplace discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ employees.

(00:05:22) Pronouns, Labels & Personal Identity

The limiting nature of pronouns and labelling oneself.

(00:09:52) Living a Double Life

Dating secretly and the sense of being "othered" in mainstream culture. 

(00:13:06) The Limited Supply

The isolation created by the absence of a visible queer community.

(00:17:37) The Spiritual Journey & Other Closets

How the act of coming out led to a deeper exploration of spirituality.

(00:19:37) The Cost of Hiding at Work

The emotional and psychological toll of being closeted in the workplace.

(00:21:04) Finally Coming Out at Work

The slow, iterative process of coming out and how Radical Candor helped.

(00:23:21) The Bisexual Experience at Work

The unique stigmas bisexuals face within and outside LGBTQ+ spaces.

(00:28:15) Words, Labels & Inner Homophobia

The complexity of identity labels and how internalized bias can shape them.

(00:32:37) The Power of Representation in Media

The importance of media characters who normalize LGBTQ+.

(00:36:26) Inclusion & the Privilege of Presentation

Soliciting inclusive feedback and how privilege shapes perceptions.

(00:40:21) Hair as Identity & Microaggressions

A painful but powerful story about being judged for appearances. 

(00:43:40) Being the Only One in the Room

The exhaustion of being the sole representative of marginalized identities.

(00:46:30) Making Mistakes & Owning Them

The role of feedback and straight allies in creating inclusive spaces.

(00:49:43) What Allies Can Do

A story about support when encountering a homophobic comment. 

(00:52:03) Setting Boundaries

The importance of respecting privacy and rejecting invasive curiosity

(00:54:29) Radical Candor Tips

Key takeaways on supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues

(00:58:12) Conclusion

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Leadership sounds empowering—until you're navigating chaos, clunky systems, and a team giving you major side-eye. Amy and Kim talk with Stephanie Chung—trailblazing exec, leadership strategist, and accidental trust-builder—about the messy reality of stepping into high-stakes roles. Stephanie gets candid about what it’s really like to walk into a company mid-crisis, how to lead teams that don’t look, think, or operate like you, and why asking the right questions beats having all the answers. From decoding broken sales processes to building authentic relationships, her approach blends Radical Candor with radical curiosity. Her book Ally Leadership isn’t just a guide—it’s a wake-up call for anyone ready to lead with heart, backbone, and an open mind. If you’ve ever doubted your instincts or feared saying the wrong thing, this episode is your invitation to lead anyway—and lead better.

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

Episode Links:

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Kim and Amy introduce leadership expert Stephanie Chung.

(00:01:31) Leading Through Change: Where to Start 

The process of evaluating and addressing organizational challenges.

(00:05:43) Diagnosing Sales Challenges 

How process inefficiencies—not people—often hinder sales teams.

(00:07:21) Building Trust as a New Leader 

Strategies for establishing trust with new teams from day one.

(00:10:07) Transforming JetSuite: From Commodity to Luxury

Lessons from leading cultural and brand transformation.

(00:11:46) Feedback & Self-Awareness in Leadership 

The importance of vulnerability and inviting radical feedback.

(00:17:50) Ally Leadership & Generational Diversity 

Why curiosity is key to leading across generations and identities.

(00:24:20) Being an Underrepresented Leader 

Navigating workplace bias and building allyship in leadership.

(00:30:11) Courageous Leadership & Using Your Voice 

The importance of speaking up and building leadership muscle early.

(00:33:27) Neuroscience of Bias & Rewiring the Brain 

How to overcome in-group bias through exposure and curiosity.

(00:38:13) Asking Questions to Build Trust

Using questions to uncover personal connections and build rapport.

(00:40:26) Listening to Understand, Not to Respond 

Tactics for active, empathetic, and observant listening.

(00:43:07) Where to Find Stephanie

Leadership legacy, travel tips, and connecting with Stephanie.

(00:47:08) Conclusion

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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:

Connect:

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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