Radical Candor: Communication at Work

• Returning to the Office & Remembering Why We Left 7 | 18

  (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:28) The Radical Candor Remote Philosophy (00:06:41) Office Productivity & Innovation (00:10:27) Navigating Unwanted Change (00:16:12) Should You Stay or Should You Go? (00:19:17) Burnout, Hybrid, and Hidden Costs (00:24:19) The Cost of Constant Interruptions (00:30:22) Generational and Gender Gaps (00:32:07) Having Effective RTO Conversations (00:35:29) Radical Candor Tips (00:39:48) Conclusion Back-to-office is back—and it’s messier, weirder, and more pointless than ever.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:Cockroaches And Working In A Closet: Inside Trump's Return-To-Office Order | ReutersNo Toilet Paper And No Privacy: Returning To The Office, Federal Workers Walk Into Chaos | The New York TimesReturn To Office. Not Sure What To Do, A Bit Stressed. : R/FednewsWhat Happened At Your Org After They Implemented Their Return To Work Policy? : R/JobsThe Official List Of Every Company’s Back-To-Office Strategy | HubbleFederal Workers Ordered Back To Office Find Shortages Of Desks, Wi-Fi And Toilet PaperDoes Returning To The Office Support Your Company’s Strategy? | HBRHow To Get Return To Office Right | McKinseyRTO Mandate Trends In 2025: Why Forcing Employees Back To The Office Hurts Business | Hub StaffNew Research Suggests Remote Jobs Are Best For Company’s Bottom Line | ForbesThe Strength Of Weak Ties | Stanford ReportConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionJason and Amy introduce the episode’s topic on return to office trends.(00:01:28) The Radical Candor Remote PhilosophyWhy the company is remote-first and the downsides of in-person work.(00:06:41) Office Productivity & InnovationWhether productivity and innovation improve when in office. (00:10:27) Navigating Unwanted ChangeAdvice 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 CostsResearch on burnout and the importance of workplace social connections.(00:24:19) The Cost of Constant InterruptionsChallenges with distractions and productivity in office environments.(00:30:22) Generational and Gender GapsDifferences in RTO satisfaction in different demographics.(00:32:07) Having Effective RTO ConversationsAdvocating for your needs and establishing new office processes.(00:35:29) Radical Candor TipsTips for employees and managers navigating return-to-office mandates.(00:39:48) Conclusion

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• The Cost of the Move-Fast-Break-Things Mentality 7 | 17

  (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:31) Mistakes, Innovation, and Safety (00:02:43) Ebola Funding Fallout (00:05:08) When Speed Isn’t the Answer (00:08:10) Accountability & Power (00:10:30) Scale Changes the Stakes (00:14:39) Metrics That Mislead (00:20:00) Debate Fuels Innovation (00:23:43) Power, Politics, and Platforms (00:28:52) Inside Content Moderation (00:36:46) Why Oversight Is So Hard (00:41:37) Radical Candor Tips (00:42:52) Conclusion When speed becomes the goal, accountability gets left in the dust.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:How To Get Shit Done | Radical Candor Podcast 4 | 2Leaders Can Move Fast And Fix ThingsCEO Of $4.2 Billion Tech Giant Says Defying Silicon Valley's ‘Move Fast And Break Things’ Mantra Was Essential To Growing His Business | FortuneAmy Edmondson—The Science Of Failing Well | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 18The Measurement Problem—Development Versus Management | Radical Candor Podcast 3 | 7Connect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeChapters:(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

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• From Bottlenecks to Buy-In: Overcoming Bureaucracy 7 | 16

  (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:36) When Process Becomes a Trust Killer (00:02:46) Approvals That Make Sense (00:06:10) The Inertia of Bureaucracy (00:07:50) Communicating Up Without Escalating (00:13:22) What Problem Is the Process Solving? (00:15:45) Software Purchase Saga (00:20:19) Getting Specific vs. Talking in Patterns (00:26:01) Role Play: The Rental Car Scenario (00:34:38) Finding a Third Way (00:37:44) Radical Candor Tips (00:43:34) Conclusion Cut through workplace red tape—without burning bridges.Ever feel like getting anything done at work means running a marathon through molasses? You’re not alone. In this episode, Amy and Jason go full throttle on the soul-sucking systems that slow teams down and wear people out. Sparked by a listener stuck in a tangle of outdated processes, they unpack how well-meaning rules morph into momentum killers—and what to do when speaking up feels like you’re just making it worse. With a blend of straight talk, lived experience, and a whole lot of Radical Candor, they offer a new playbook: lead with curiosity, advocate with clarity, and stop waiting for permission to fix what’s broken. This one’s for anyone who's tired of navigating systems built to say "no" when the work is begging for a "hell yes."Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:Aman Kochar Change Enabler | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 9Get Shit Done Step 4 — Push Decisions Into the Facts 4 | 10How to Practice Radical Candor With Your Boss 3 | 9How To Give Candid Feedback With the Radical Candor CORE MethodConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionJason and Amy introduce a listener’s question about streamlining approval processes.(00:01:36) When Process Becomes a Trust KillerHow approval bottlenecks erode trust and lead to burnout.(00:02:46) Approvals That Make SenseDifferentiating between meaningful and meaningless approvals.(00:06:10) The Inertia of BureaucracyWhy process isn’t evil—but rarely gets reexamined when it should.(00:07:50) Communicating Up Without EscalatingHow to discuss change without putting managers on the defensive.(00:13:22) What Problem Is the Process Solving?A practical script for questioning approval thresholds constructively.(00:15:45) Software Purchase SagaA story about approvals that made no one’s life better.(00:20:19) Getting Specific vs. Talking in PatternsWhy it’s better to present one example rather than broad frustration.(00:26:01) Role Play: The Rental Car ScenarioHow to challenge a flawed process without triggering a shutdown.(00:34:38) Finding a Third WayCreating solutions that meet both employee and organizational goals.(00:37:45) Radical Candor TipsTips to help you navigate bureaucracy with clarity, care, and results.(00:43:34) Conclusion

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  44:41
• How NDAs Protect Power Instead of People 7 | 15

  (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:10) Why Careless People Matters (00:03:17) Understanding Forced Arbitration (00:06:20) Emotional Targeting at Facebook (00:09:43) Harm, Silence, and Scapegoats (00:17:40) The Measurement Problem (00:22:13) Loyalty vs Integrity (00:26:29) Kim’s NDA Regret (00:32:40) Building Better Systems (00:34:42) A Better Way Forward (00:38:02) Culture Is Design (00:39:48) Radical Candor Tips (00:41:30) Conclusion When contracts hide misconduct, it’s not policy—it’s a cover-up.What do NDAs, forced arbitration, and emotionally manipulating teenagers have in common? Sadly, more than you'd hope. Kim, Jason and Amy rip the lid off the corporate culture of hush-hush harm, legal gymnastics and why emotional manipulation is a feature—not a bug—in some marketing strategies. They dig into the story behind Careless People by Sara Wynn-Williams, the book someone definitely doesn’t want you to read, and expose how companies use contracts to silence the truth and protect power—not people. From creepy ad targeting to leaders who dodge accountability like it’s dodgeball, the crew gets real about why “just business” is a lazy excuse for bad behavior. Kim even owns up to the time she played the NDA game—and why she’ll never do it again. Because real leadership doesn’t mean covering your ass—it means doing the damn right thing, even when it costs you.Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:Watch the episodeMeta Tries To Stop Sarah Wynn-Williams From Further Selling Scathing Memoir | The New York TimesMeta Tries To Bury A Tell-All Book | WiredRadical Respect NewsletterEx-Meta Executive: ‘People Deserve To Know What This Company Is Really Like’ | CNN BusinessCareless People: A Cautionary Tale Of Power, Greed, And Lost Idealism | Sarah Wynn-WilliamsLift Our VoicesLessons From A Whistleblower: Susan Rigetti | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 44She Said | Jodi Kantor and Megan TwoheyCatch And Kill | Ronan FarrowEllen Pao: Tech’s Meritocracy Is Broken | Radical Candor Podcast 7 | 3The Facebook Whistleblower Book Mark Zuckerberg Doesn’t Want You To Read | VoxHow Mandatory Arbitration Weakens Workplace Laws And Lets Employers Off The Hook | NelpFacebook’s Secrets, By The Insider Zuckerberg Tried To Silence | The TimesSpeaking Truth To Power: The Cost-Benefit Analysis | Radical RespectJennifer Joy Freyd, PhD.The Best Bookstore In Palm SpringsConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionKim, Jason, and Amy introduce the topic of NDAs and forced arbitration.(00:02:11) Why Careless People MattersThe impact of NDAs and the importance of supporting the author.(00:03:17) Understanding Forced ArbitrationA breakdown of arbitration and its role in silencing workplace harm.(00:06:20) Emotional Targeting at FacebookA disturbing passage about targeting vulnerable teens.(00:09:43) Harm, Silence, and ScapegoatsThe role of toxic cultures and fear play in keeping employees silent.(00:17:40) The Measurement ProblemHow profit-driven metrics ignore the human harm they cause.(00:22:14) Loyalty vs IntegrityBalancing between professional loyalty and moral responsibility.(00:26:29) Kim’s NDA RegretA candid story of using an NDA to silence an employee.(00:32:40) Building Better SystemsStrategies for leaders to design accountability into workplace culture.(00:34:42) A Better Way ForwardWhy transparency and early action are more effective than silence.(00:38:02) Culture Is DesignHow treating culture like a product helps fix systemic issues.(00:39:49) Radical Candor TipsTips for eliminating NDAs, ending forced arbitration, and building trust(00:41:30) Conclusion

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  42:36
• Surviving Assholes and Building Better Organizations with Bob Sutton 7 | 14

  (00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:35) The No Asshole Rule Origin Story (00:07:02) Layoffs Done Right (And Wrong) (00:11:16) Good Friction vs. Bad Friction (00:16:23) Building Emotional Trust (00:24:58) The Asshole Survival Guide: 4 Ways to Deal (00:29:50) Certified vs. Clueless Assholes (00:33:47) It Happens at the Listener’s Ear (00:38:59) Decision-Making, Simplicity & Reversibility (00:46:15) Gossip as a Strategic Tool (00:52:03) Fixing Friction at Stanford (00:55:54) Where to Find Bob Sutton (00:56:50) Conclusion Being the boss isn’t about power trips—it’s about leaving your jerk card at the door.Turns out, surviving the workplace often comes down to one simple rule: don’t be an asshole. Kim Scott and Amy Sandler sit down with Stanford’s Bob Sutton, author of The No Asshole Rule and The Friction Project, to talk about how real leadership means treating people like people, not just cogs in a machine. Bob gets straight to the point about why toxic behavior kills productivity, how organizational “friction” can be both helpful and harmful, and what it takes to build teams that fight fair and thrive together. They also tackle why efficient isn’t always effective, how to spot—and stop—assholes before they do lasting damage, and why the best bosses aren’t afraid to show up with both candor and care. As Kim puts it, sometimes it’s better to have a hole than an asshole. Whether you're leading a team or just trying to survive one, this conversation is your reminder that treating people with decency is never optional—and if you're stuck choosing between keeping an asshole or leaving a hole, always go with the hole.Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:Radical Friction: The Editor/Author RelationshipBooks | Bob SuttonWork Matters | Bob SuttonHow To Get A Radically Candid Boss | Radical Candor Podcast 3 | 12Don't Let A Bad Boss Derail You | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 18Are Assholes More Effective? Bob Sutton Weighs InConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInFacebookYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionKim and Amy introduce Stanford Professor Emeritus Bob Sutton.(00:01:35) The No Asshole Rule Origin StoryHow Bob’s research into organizational decline led to a focus on workplace jerks.(00:07:02) Layoffs Done Right (And Wrong)Kim and Bob trade stories on compassionate vs. catastrophic layoffs.(00:11:16) Good Friction vs. Bad FrictionThe Friction Project and why not all efficiency is actually efficient(00:16:23) Building Emotional TrustHow emotional trust grows and fuels creative partnerships.(00:24:58) The Asshole Survival Guide: 4 Ways to DealStrategies for handling difficult people and navigating toxic environments.(00:29:50) Certified vs. Clueless AssholesRecognizing the moments when you might actually be the asshole.(00:33:47) It Happens at the Listener’s EarHow context shapes whether something feels candid or cruel.(00:38:59) Decision-Making, Simplicity & ReversibilityQuestions friction-fixers ask to decide when to slow down or speed up.(00:46:15) Gossip as a Strategic ToolThe ways gossip can help you avoid toxic work environments.(00:52:03) Fixing Friction at StanfordBob shares his current work helping Stanford reduce internal friction.(00:55:54) Where to Find Bob SuttonWhere to find Bob and his books — plus a final note on long emails.(00:56:50) Conclusion

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  57:54

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