DeepSummary
The podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Kim Scott, author of the bestselling book 'Radical Candor.' Kim explains her framework of radical candor, which involves caring personally and challenging directly, and contrasts it with the pitfalls of ruinous empathy, manipulative insincerity, and obnoxious aggression. She shares personal stories and examples to illustrate the impact of practicing radical candor, both in her own life and in the workplace.
Kim provides tactical advice on how to effectively give and receive feedback, including specific language, phrases, and approaches to use. She emphasizes the importance of soliciting feedback regularly, responding constructively, and fostering an environment of open communication. The discussion also covers the challenges of implementing radical candor in cultures where direct feedback is not the norm, and strategies for addressing biases and fostering inclusivity.
Additionally, Kim gives a sneak peek into her forthcoming book 'Radical Respect,' which she sees as a prequel to 'Radical Candor.' She encourages listeners to practice radical candor by setting goals, asking specific questions, and scheduling regular feedback sessions. The episode concludes with a lightning round where Kim shares book recommendations, favorite media, and interview tips.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Radical candor is the practice of caring personally and challenging directly, which fosters open communication and better relationships.
- To effectively solicit feedback, ask specific questions and create a safe environment for people to respond honestly.
- When giving feedback, gauge the recipient's reaction and adjust your approach accordingly, while avoiding ruinous empathy or obnoxious aggression.
- Address disagreements openly and respectfully, rather than avoiding them, as unspoken disagreements can harm relationships.
- Self-reflection and acknowledging one's own biases and shortcomings are essential for fostering inclusivity and respect in the workplace.
- Regular career conversations with direct reports, discussing their past, future goals, and developing an action plan, can help them grow and succeed.
- Practicing radical candor is an ongoing process that requires emotional discipline and intentional effort, but it leads to better work and stronger relationships.
- Developing an authentic leadership style that aligns with one's values and prioritizes caring for others is crucial for effective leadership.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Radical candor is just what happens when you care personally and challenge directly at the same time.“ by Kim Scott
- “If you disagree with the feedback, you got to say that you disagree, but you got to offer a respectful explanation of why you disagree. And it's tempting to feel like a disagreement poses a risk to our relationships, but it's not disagreement that poses a risk to our relationships. It's unspoken disagreement.“ by Kim Scott
- “I realized a bunch of things at the same time when she told me that the first was that I had not been the kind of colleague that I aspire to be, that I imagined myself to be. I had failed even to notice the extent to which she had to show up unfailingly cheerful and pleasant in every meeting we had ever been in.“ by Kim Scott
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Episode Information
Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career
Lenny Rachitsky
12/10/23
Kim Scott is the author of Radical Candor, currently the #1 most recommended book on this podcast. The book has sold over 1 million copies and has been translated into 23 languages. Before writing, Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was also a member of the faculty at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. This spring she’ll be launching Radical Respect, which she considers to be a prequel to Radical Candor. In today’s conversation, we go deep on Kim’s popular framework, including:
• What separates radical candor and obnoxious aggression
• Tactical advice on delivering constructive feedback
• How well-meaning empathy can become ruinous
• Strategies for effectively soliciting and responding to feedback
• The importance of having regular career conversations
• The false dichotomy of a good leader versus a kind person
• A sneak peek into Radical Respect
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Find the full transcript at: https://www.lennyspodcast.com/radical-candor-from-theory-to-practice-with-author-kim-scott/#transcript
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Where to find Kim Scott:
• X: https://twitter.com/kimballscott
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimm4/
• Website: https://www.radicalcandor.com/
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Where to find Lenny:
• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/
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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Kim’s background
(03:13) A brief overview of Radical Candor
(06:46) How people fail with ruinous empathy, manipulative insincerity, and obnoxious aggression
(08:37) The impact of radical candor on Kim’s life
(14:16) How to communicate feedback effectively
(20:34) A story illustrating the problem with ruinous empathy and manipulative insincerity
(27:50) How to get over the need to be liked
(31:31) How to have career conversations with your direct reports
(29:40) Reflections on how Kim handled an underperforming employee
(33:31) Best practices for soliciting feedback as a leader
(35:53) How to respond to feedback
(39:22) How often to ask for feedback
(41:48) Whether or not to accept “no feedback” as an answer
(50:48) Investing time in feedback
(54:04) How to ask for feedback as an employee
(57:42) Why obnoxious aggression is not the best way to deliver feedback
(1:01:23) A notable example of problematic management
(1:03:43) Why context matters when diagnosing obnoxious aggression
(1:07:39) Empathy is a good thing, but empathy can paralyze
(1:10:47) Reflections on the limitations of radical candor in a society riddled with biases
(1:14:41) Kim’s new book, Radical Respect
(1:15:51) Tactical advice to get better at radical candor
(1:16:46) Lightning round
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Referenced:
• Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Candor-Kick-Ass-Without-Humanity/dp/1250103509
• Radical Respect: How to Work Together Better: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Respect-Work-Together-Better/dp/1250623766/
• The Office (American version) on Peacock: https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-office
• Radical Candor diagram: https://www.radicalcandor.com/our-approach/
• A behavioral scientist explains why we should reacquaint ourselves with the telephone: https://news.uchicago.edu/story/nicholas-epley-explains-why-phone-calls-can-connect-us-better-zoom
• How to get promoted: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-get-promoted
• When They Win, You Win: Being a Great Manager Is Simpler Than You Think: https://www.amazon.com/When-They-Win-You-Manager/dp/1250279666
• Peter Kazanjy on X: https://twitter.com/Kazanjy
• Christa Quarles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christaquarles/
• Jason Rosoff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-r-rosoff/
• Andrew Grove: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Grove
• Columbo on Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/Columbo-Season-1/dp/B008SA89HA
• Squid Game on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81040344
• Leveraging mentors to uplevel your career | Jules Walter (YouTube, Slack): https://www.lennyspodcast.com/leveraging-mentors-to-uplevel-your-career-jules-walter-youtube-slack/
• Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger: https://www.amazon.com/Poor-Charlies-Almanack-Essential-Charles/dp/1953953239
• Bridgewater: https://www.bridgewater.com/
• The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend: https://www.amazon.com/Fund-Bridgewater-Associates-Unraveling-Street/dp/1250276934/
• Tim Cook on X: https://twitter.com/tim_cook
• Elon Musk: https://www.amazon.com/Elon-Musk-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1982181281
• Building high-performing teams | Melissa Tan (Webflow, Dropbox, Canva): https://www.lennyspodcast.com/building-high-performing-teams-melissa-tan-webflow-dropbox-canva/
• Middlemarch: https://www.amazon.com/Middlemarch-Penguin-Classics-George-Eliot/dp/0141439548
• The Bluest Eye: https://www.amazon.com/Bluest-Eye-Vintage-International/dp/0307278441
• Song of Solomon: https://www.amazon.com/Song-Solomon-Toni-Morrison/dp/140003342X
• Orlando: https://www.amazon.com/Orlando-Biography-Virginia-Woolf/dp/015670160X
• The Color Purple: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Purple-Novel-Alice-Walker/dp/0143135694
• The Deptford Trilogy: Fifth Business; The Manticore; World of Wonders: https://www.amazon.com/Deptford-Trilogy-Business-Manticore-Wonders/dp/0140147551
• Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/70140391
• My year of saying yes to everything: https://www.ted.com/talks/shonda_rhimes_my_year_of_saying_yes_to_everything
• Attitude: https://attitudeliving.com/collections/adult-hair-care
• Dostoevsky books: https://www.amazon.com/Fyodor-Dostoevsky-Books/s?k=Fyodor+Dostoevsky
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.
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Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.
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