Challenge directly, care deeply: Radical Candor explained
Radical Candor Explained
There are many styles of management philosophies out there, one of the most popular ones being Radical Candor. At the heart of this approach is offering guidance and feedback that's kind, clear, specific and sincere. In this edition of ‘Thrive in 5’, we break down the concept and explain how you can be a Radical Candor leader, too.
Where are we now?
There are four quadrants to Radical Candor - Ruinous Empathy, Manipulative Insincerity, Obnoxious Aggression, and Radical Candor.
Four quadrants to radical candor
The approach most likely to get positive results, Radical Candor, asks that we care personally while challenging directly. This is different from brutal honesty, where the recipient’s feelings aren’t considered while giving them feedback.
What can you do?
Radical Candor in action…
Radical Candor is a behaviour that leaders can practice and learn, rather than a personality trait one possesses.
In order to practice Radical Candor, a leader must solicit feedback to show they can accept criticism too.
When it is time to guide others, provide both praise and criticism, but focus more on the positive.
What’s next?
The purpose of feedback is to help people correct course as required so they can succeed. Leaders must also seek feedback and provide it, while encouraging employees to ask for it.
By creating a culture of feedback and willingness to disagree because you care, you can show true respect for others’ needs and growth.
Offering guidance and feedback that’s kind, clear, specific, and sincere is at the core of building trust. Remember, Radical Candor is a framework for giving and receiving feedback that is clear and precise while being rooted in empathy for the recipient.
Here are 6 tips on practicing Radical Candor.
Assess whether you are truly being a Radical Candor leader.
Struggling to ask for feedback? Here’s some help on how to do it.