Radical Candor: Communication at Work

• Andrew Palmer: How to Lead Without Losing Your Mind 7 | 26

  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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Navigating the Nuances of Tone in Feedback 7 | 25

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

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  45:54
• Becoming a Not-So-Secretly Candid Leader with Chloé van Bergen 7 | 24

  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: Transcript⁠⁠ Chloé van Bergen | LinkedIn  Nick Carissimi Secretly Group Secretly Canadian | Info Granny Alice Avoid The Feedback Sandwich | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 15 Toxic Positivity | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 27 Navigating Radical Candor and Cultural Differences How To Navigate Feedback Conversations On Diverse Teams | Radical Candor Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect | Will Guidara  Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building | Claire Hughes Johnson  Pivot: Eight Principles for Transforming your Business in a Time of Disruption | Will Page  Secretly Group: Workers at Indie-Music Company Begin Efforts to Unionize | Rolling Stone Secretly Group Union Earns Contract In Major Milestone for Indie Music Organizing | Rolling Stone Connect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  46:52
• What Real Inclusion Looks Like at Work When You’re LGBTQ+ 7 | 23

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

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  1:00:56
• Leading Through Chaos With Stephanie Chung 7 | 22

  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: Transcript Stephanie Chung and Associates, Inc. | LinkedIn Stephanie Chung The Radical Candor Guide to Leading Through Uncertainty Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You Connect: ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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