Radical Candor

Praise and criticism are the building blocks of guidance, a manager’s primary duty. Good bosses not only give guidance but solicit it for themselves and encourage it among their employees. The best guidance occurs through “radical candor” – the ability to offer frank criticism without creating an adversarial relationship. Management consultant Kim Scott experienced radical candor when her boss pulled her aside after she had delivered a presentation and informed her that her speech was littered with “ums,” which made her “sound stupid.” Scott appreciated this blunt but constructive feedback.

Imagine a 2x2 matrix, whereby the y axis plots readiness to “care personally” for others and the x axis plots readiness to “...