Radical Candor: Communication at Work

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

  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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• The Wild Courage to Get What You Want, With Jenny Wood 7 | 13

  Stop playing it safe—embrace the bold, unexpected traits that actually get you ahead.Success doesn’t come to those who wait—it comes to those who take it. For years, you’ve been told to be humble, play nice, and wait your turn. Jenny Wood says that’s exactly why so many talented people stay stuck. As a former Google executive turned author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, she’s here to expose the real traits that drive success—ones that might make you uncomfortable. Forget the polite career playbook, being selfish, obsessed, even a little manipulative (the right way) can actually be your biggest advantage. Jenny gets radically candid with Kim and Amy on why risk-taking beats waiting for permission, why saying “no” is a career superpower, and how to self-promote without sounding like a jerk. If you’re sick of playing it safe and watching others pass you by, this episode is your permission slip to take bigger swings and get what you want.Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:Wild Courage by Jenny WoodThe Story of “How About Never” | The New YorkerNewsletter | Jenny WoodWatch on YouTubeConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInFacebookYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionKim and Amy welcome Jenny Wood, author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It.(00:1:02) The Nine Traits That Will Get You AheadNine controversial traits that are actually career superpowers.(00:4:26) The Subway Story That Changed EverythingJenny shares a story on ignoring self-doubt and taking action.(00:10:16) Calculated Risks vs. Playing It SafeWhy taking smart risks is essential for personal and professional success.(00:13:04) The Google Factor: How It Shaped Wild CourageHow Google built confidence, encouraged risks, and sparked creativity.(00:17:09) Owning Your WeirdAdvice for staying authentic in workplaces that don’t naturally foster it.(00:21:38) Identifying Your Power AssetsIdentifying your power assets to make self-promotion feel natural.(00:25:22) Managing Up, Higher, and DiagonallyA tactical guide to workplace influence through strategic senior connections.(00:31:54) Overcoming Bias in the WorkplaceStrategies to counter workplace biases in recognition and self-promotion.(00:36:56) Why Saying No is a SuperpowerHow learning to say no without guilt protects your time and energy. (00:42:40) Get in Front of the Right PeopleThe importance of standing out and getting noticed by leadership.(00:44:57) Pull It and Bullet ItThe “Pull It and Bullet It” method for impactful, time-saving emails.(00:48:05) Where to Find Jenny WoodWhere to get Wild Courage and find Jenny for keynotes and workshops.(00:49:41) Conclusion

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• How to TALK So People Actually Listen with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks 7 | 12

  Ditch the awkwardness and start owning every conversation.Talking to people shouldn’t feel like a struggle—but let’s be honest, it often does. Maybe you’re stuck in small talk hell, getting ignored in meetings, or watching conversations die mid-sentence. Why is this so hard? Amy sits down with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School professor and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, to expose the hidden science behind great conversations—and why most of us are getting it wrong. They break down the TALK framework (Topics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness) and unpack the subtle mistakes that make people tune out, disengage, or just not like talking to you. Whether you want to command the room, sound sharper in meetings or just stop replaying every interaction in your head, Alison delivers straight-shooting, science-backed strategies to help you talk better, connect faster, and stress less.Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:Alison Wood BrooksTalk: The Science Of Conversation and the Art Of Being OurselvesAlison Wood Brooks | LinkedInConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInFacebookYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionAmy Sandler welcomes Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business School professor and author of Talk: The Science of Conversation.(00:01:44) The Power of Connection in ConversationHow small, personal connections can create deeper conversations.(00:02:53) What Inspired Talk?Dr. Wood Brooks shares how she became fascinated with conversation science.(00:07:25) Giving Conversation FeedbackWhy most people receive little feedback on their conversational skills.(00:13:17) The Hidden Coordination GameHow small, unconscious decisions shape every conversation.(00:18:54) The TALK FrameworkTopics, Asking, Levity, and Kindness—the four keys to better conversations.(00:20:24) Practicing ListeningGuided exercises and listening techniques from the Talk course.(00:21:39) The Science Behind Mind-WanderingWhy we tune out during conversations and how to stay present.(00:29:06) The Challenges of Group ConversationsWhy group conversations are harder to manage than one-on-one talks.(00:34:05) Digital vs. In-Person TalkHow virtual communication changes conversations.(00:36:51) Designing Better MeetingsStrategies for leaders to create inclusive and effective meetings.(00:39:37) Boomer AskingThe conversational habit that makes people disengage.(00:44:28) Where to Find Dr. Wood BrooksDr. Wood Brooks shares where to find her work and book tour details.(00:45:32) Conclusion

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• When the PIP Feels Disingenuous: The Ethics of Managing Out 7 | 11

  When a PIP feels like a setup, how do you handle it without compromising your integrity?Trapped between an HR-driven process that feels like a sham and a direct report who’s not meeting expectations? That’s a management nightmare. When a boss hands you a struggling employee with the unspoken expectation that you’ll “manage them out,” how do you stay honest, maintain trust, and avoid turning into the workplace grim reaper? Kim, Jason, and Amy break down the emotional and ethical toll of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), how to navigate them without feeling like a pawn, and why Radical Candor is the only way through. This isn’t about sugarcoating or corporate theater—it’s about handling tough conversations with clarity, fairness, and a whole lot less BS. Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:The Radical Candor Order of Operations | Radical CandorManaging Challenging Conversations At Work | Radical CandorWhat Does Managing Out Mean? | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 6Performance Improvement Plans | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 20The Measurement Problem | Radical Candor Podcast 3 | 7How To Gauge Your Feedback | Radical CandorAre You 'Helping' or Micromanaging? | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 2Is Your Employee In The Wrong Job? Don't Let Ruinous Empathy Ruin Your TeamAbsentee Management vs. Quiet Firing | Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 3Connect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInFacebookYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionKim, Jason, and Amy introduce a listener’s question on handling a PIP with integrity.(00:02:28) Leadership FailuresHow bad management decisions created this unfair situation.(00:06:15) Is This Process Disingenuous?Struggling with feeling inauthentic when following HR's PIP process.(00:09:19) The Emotional Toll of Performance ManagementThe frustrations of the process for both the manager and the direct report.(00:13:51) Communicating Radical Candor During a PIPFraming tough conversations without misleading employees.(00:18:51) Why Informal PIPs ExistThe value of informal PIPs in ensuring fairness.(00:22:17) Responding to Employee PushbackHandling direct reports who challenge the PIP process.(00:28:28) What Can a Manager Legally and Ethically Say?Making difficult conversations feel more human and constructive.(00:32:59) Radical Candor TipsLessons for managing performance issues with Radical Candor.(00:36:05) Pushing Back to the Boss Having a candid conversation about being put in this situation.(00:37:25) Conclusion

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• Scaling Smart: Leading Effectively When You Have 50+ Direct Reports 7 | 10

  Too many direct reports and not enough time? Fix that without losing your sanity.Drowning in direct reports and barely keeping your head above water? When you’re responsible for 30 to 50 people, the idea of meaningful one-on-ones is a joke—but so is pretending you can manage that many people without a meltdown. On this episode, Kim and Amy rip apart the myth that “just working harder” will fix the problem and get real about why traditional leadership approaches fail at scale. From no-nonsense strategies like idea teams (so you’re not drowning in suggestions), walking the floor like a pro, and knowing when to listen without turning into everyone’s personal complaint department, they share simple strategies to build trust and keep things running smoothly. Reality check: You cannot have deep, weekly 1:1s with 40+ people. But you can create a system where your team still feels seen and heard. Tune in to learn:✔ How to set up an Ideas Team so great feedback doesn’t overwhelm you✔ Why walking the floor is more powerful than endless meetings✔ How to make the most of the few 1:1s you do haveLeadership doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Let’s do it smarter, not harder.Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.Episode Links:7 Ways To Improve One-on-One Meetings | Radical CandorEffective 1:1s - Tips For One-on-One Meetings With Your TeamHave More Effective 1:1 Meetings | Radical Candor Podcast 2 | 9How To Get Shit Done | Radical Candor Podcast 4 | 2Radical Candor – Boost Leadership Capability | JoyousYou Have Too Many Managers | Kieran SnyderLeading Large Teams: How to Manage 50+ Direct Reports In an Open Office or Factory Setting | Radical CandorConnect:WebsiteInstagramTikTokLinkedInFacebookYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionKim and Amy introduce a listener’s question on managing one-on-ones with large teams.(00:01:27) The Limits of Scaling RelationshipsThe importance of creating an environment where employees feel heard.(00:02:47) Using an Ideas TeamWhy managers should set up an ideas team to filter and prioritize suggestions.(00:06:15) Purpose of One-on-OnesCreating structured feedback systems to improve efficiency and innovation.(00:07:29) Small Fixes, Big ImpactHow small operational changes can have a massive effect.(00:11:47) Management by Walking AroundObserving employees, asking how they’re doing, and being present.(00:14:15) Overcoming Employee HesitancyHow to introduce walking around without making employees anxious.(00:16:51) Small Talk & Active ListeningTips for managers who struggle with casual check-ins.(00:18:46) Structuring One-on-Ones for Large TeamsAvoiding emotional whiplash by spacing out conversations.(00:22:46) Managers Shouldn’t Solve EverythingHow to balance problem-solving with empowering employees.(00:27:42) Listening Versus FixingThe value of asking: "Do you want me to listen or help?"(00:30:37) Practicing Active Listening Amy leads an exercise on listening and discusses its impact.(00:38:39) Scaling Management StructureGiving high-performing employees leadership opportunities.(00:39:47) Radical Candor Tips Tips on fostering a culture of feedback with large teams.(00:42:07) Conclusion

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