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Radical Candor: Communication at Work

Radical Candor: Communication at Work

By: Kim Scott Jason Rosoff & Amy Sandler
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 Ready to love your job, crush your career goals, and become the kind of leader everyone actually wants to work with? Welcome to the Radical Candor podcast, where you'll learn how to kick ass at work without losing your humanity. Host Amy Sandler and Radical Candor co-founders Kim Scott and Jason Rosoff to break down how you can Care Personally and Challenge Directly — the deceptively simple but powerful formula for building stronger teams, giving (and getting) better feedback, and leading with heart and clarity. Each episode is packed with real talk, relatable stories, and actionable tips to help you do the best work of your life while building the best relationships of your career. Whether you’re a manager, a team player, or dreaming bigger for your future, this is the podcast that will change how you show up at work — and in life. P.S. Don’t forget to check out Kim Scott’s New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity! Want even more Radical Candor? Join the Radical Candor Community — free forever.Copyright Radical Candor 2025 Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • A Framework for Communicating Hard News (That Actually Works) 7 | 31

    A Framework for Communicating Hard News (That Actually Works) 7 | 31
    Jul 30 2025
    Candor Coach and executive coach Farrah Mitra joins Amy Sandler to share her 4-step Communicating Change Framework—a practical guide for leaders navigating layoffs, performance conversations, or org changes. Learn how to deliver tough news with kindness, clarity, and confidence, without causing unnecessary harm. A must-listen for anyone leading through change with Radical Candor. Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Episode Links: Transcript Communicating Change with Clarity and Care—A Framework for Leaders The Biggest Reason We Run from Challenging Conversations What's Your Radical Candor Story? Candor Coaches Share The Feedback They're Most Grateful For Farrah Mitra | LinkedIn Lead Change Better: A New Way to Communicate What’s Coming Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Amy introduces Farrah Mitra, Radical Candor coach and creator of the Communicating Change framework. (00:01:49) Why This Matters Two stories that highlight the power of how change is communicated. (00:04:47) Framing Makes the Difference How message delivery impacts emotional response. (00:06:28) Goals of the Framework The overarching goal of the Communicating Change framework. (00:07:36) Why We Avoid Empathy Why leaders struggle with human-centered communication during change. (00:09:54) Structure Creates Confidence Creating a process that facilitates courage and clarity in conversations. (00:11:30) Communicating Change Framework A framework that gives leaders direction during tough conversations. (00:13:00) Coaching for Mindset Shifts Coaching to focus on reframing how leaders feel before they speak. (00:14:20) Reframing from Guilt to Partnership A real coaching story shows how shifting mindset changes everything. (00:17:51) Grief, Identity & Communication Why emotional processing is key before delivering hard news. (00:21:00) Clarifying the Message Choosing a narrative that doesn't mix performance and role decisions. (00:25:13) Focus on the Receiver Questions to help reverse engineer empathetic communication. (00:29:02) Helpful Phrasing Tips Phrasing examples to tailor language to ensure authenticity and clarity. (00:31:15) Empathy vs. Niceness Thoughtfully using structure to communicate with clarity and compassion. (00:35:24) Company-Wide Implementation How one org made the framework part of their leadership culture. (00:38:19) Why Empathy Still Wins Human-centered communication prevents harm—even in tough moments. (00:39:52) Connect with Farrah Where to connect with Farrah and find her framework. (00:41:11) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Habit or Ritual: What's Driving Your Day? 7 | 30

    Habit or Ritual: What's Driving Your Day? 7 | 30
    Jul 23 2025
    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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • From Complaining to Collaboration: Shifting 1:1 Dynamics 7 | 29

    From Complaining to Collaboration: Shifting 1:1 Dynamics 7 | 29
    Jul 16 2025
    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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
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