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
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46:43
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
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50:06
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
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38:12
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
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44:21
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
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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.
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