Radical Candor: Communication at Work

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

  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: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Finding One More Molecule of Hope with Debbie Millman 7 | 20

  Growth sounds beautiful—until you’re knee-deep in failure, self-doubt, and a garden full of dead plants. Amy gets real with Debbie Millman—design legend, branding expert, and accidental gardener—to unpack the not-so-glamorous side of creativity, leadership, and learning to suck at something new. Debbie shares how screwing up (repeatedly) can actually make you better at just about everything and why success can kill your spark, how confidence actually works (spoiler: it’s not magic), and what gardening taught her about patience, failure, and asking for help. Her new book Love Letter to a Garden isn’t just about flowers—it’s about finding hope in the mess and meaning in the mistakes. Oh, and her wife, Roxane Gay, included a killer tomato sauce recipe. If you’ve ever felt stuck, scared, or unsure where to begin, this is your reminder to grab a shovel and just plant something already. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠. Episode Links: ⁠⁠Transcript⁠⁠ ⁠Debbie Millman  Debbie Millman: Creativity, Leadership And The Courage To Tend | Radical Candor Design Matters Love Letter to a Garden Connect: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠Bluesky⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Amy introduces guest Debbie Millman, designer, author, and host of Design Matters. (00:04:05) Starting Design Matters How Debbie started the podcast to reconnect with creative purpose. (00:07:17) From Maker to Manager The tough transition from doing creative work to leading others. (00:09:28) Communicating with Impact Why how you show up matters as much as what you say. (00:12:00) Feedback & Growth Learning to receive criticism and evolve from it. (00:16:48) Confidence Through Repetition Why confidence comes after doing — not before. (00:19:05) A Gardener’s Beginning How one creative experiment led to Love Letter to a Garden. (00:24:54) Learning to Ask for Help A turning point in accepting guidance and sharing vulnerability. (00:27:51) Hope Over Shame Choosing to keep going — one molecule of hope at a time. (00:31:20) Processing Emotions The value of feeling your feelings, not rushing past them. (00:34:40) Fulfillment in the Process Why lasting joy is found in the act of creating, not accolades. (00:38:06) Control & Chaos Using design and gardening as ways to find agency. (00:41:11) Harvesting and Sharing Turning garden bounty into nourishment and love. (00:42:55) Something to Plant Debbie’s parting wisdom: plant something—and let go. (00:45:54) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• I'm the 'Cool' Boss and It's Not Working 7 | 19

  Are you the cool boss that everyone loves, but no one respects? Join Kim and Jason as they address a pressing question from a production supervisor struggling with their team's lack of accountability. Learn the importance of sharing personal stories, soliciting feedback, and giving timely criticism, all while remembering that accountability is an act of kindness.  If you're struggling with setting boundaries and holding people accountable, we've got your back. Get all of the show notes at ⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠. Episode Links: ⁠Transcript⁠ Why Being a “Cool Boss” Backfires — And What to Do Instead ⁠Stuck In a Ruinous Empathy Rut 5 | 11 Navigating Workplace Tensions: Stuck Between Ruinous Empathy and Obnoxious Aggression Managing Resistance: How to Reset Expectations With Challenging Direct Reports Connect: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Bluesky Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Jason introduce a listener’s question from a self-described “too nice” boss. (00:01:23) The Difference Between Nice and Kind The distinction between being "nice" and being "kind" in leadership. (00:03:13) Holding People Accountable How accountability is a core leadership skill, not an act of cruelty. (00:06:33) The Cost of Avoiding Accountability Why Leadership requires addressing difficult behaviors early. (00:11:39) Two Kinds of Respect: Earned vs. Given The two definitions of respect and how managers can earn it. (00:14:45) Emotional Labor of Leadership How management is giving more than you get—by design. (00:19:16) Confusing Strictness with Respect Challenging the misconception that punishment creates respect. (00:23:45) Holding Yourself Accountable Using vulnerability to open a dialogue and reset expectations. (00:25:44) Share Your Radical Candor Story Sharing personal stories to introduce a cultural reset. (00:28:27) Create a Shared Culture and Vocabulary Advice on resetting workplace culture and team alignment. (00:32:26) Radical Candor Tips Actionable steps for building a culture of Radical Candor. (00:33:24) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

  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

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

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

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