“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott

  • “Rock stars” are stable and consistent
  • “Superstars” are reaching for the next big thing
  • You need a balance of both
  • Part of being a boss is providing emotional labor
  • Care personally and challenge directly
  • Show that you know it hurts
  • Obnoxious aggression is second best to radical candor
  • Blame external behavior not internal essence
  • Start by asking for radical candor to yourself
  • Focus on sincerity over compliment ratios
  • “No permanent markers”
  • Provide space for people to help make the right decision
  • Teammates need to learn to listen
  • Push decisions into facts
  • Show/share your work so people can see how you got there
  • Keep some dirt under your fingernails
  • “It’s painfully difficult to admit when you have an ugly baby”
  • “If you have to use someone else’s name, you probably don’t have the right reasons to do it.”
  • Optimal hugs are held for at least 6 seconds
  • Each person is responsible for their own emotions
  • Excuse yourself to get tissue or water, it gives times to regain composure
  • Offer a bottle of water when emotions get intense
  • Walk during tough conversations to help manage them
  • Bosses can ask to be criticized in public
  • Don’t debate or defend the critique
  • Situation, Behavior, Impact
  • Try to give feedback right away
  • Clarity is measured at the ear of the listener
  • Don’t let women be “the angel of the office”
  • Performance reviews
    • There shouldn’t be any surprises
    • Get at least some feedback
    • Get feedback on yourself first
    • Write it down
    • Schedule 50 minutes and don’t go back-to-back
    • Split the review 50/50 between the past and the future
    • Ask them to come up with a plan
  • Personal development plans
    • Tell me about your life from Kindergarten on
    • For each major decision, ask about the change
    • Ask about their dreams
    • Ask for 3-5 dreams; this helps to get past virtue signally dreams to real dreams
    • List out the skills needed for each dream
  • Include someone from another team on the interview loop
  • Debate time is NOT decision time
  • Debate meetings should be working towards determining if we are ready for a decision or need more discussion