Straightforwardness: How to Be Direct Without Being Mean

Most of us struggle with balance in tough conversations. Either we soften our words so much that the message becomes lost, or we come across as blunt and leave people feeling hurt. 

Radical Candour, a framework made famous by Kim Scott, offers a better path: being clear and direct while still showing you care. 

In this episode, I’ll unpack why straightforwardness is such a critical (and often ignored) leadership skill. I’ll look at the Radical Candour model, explore why most of us get stuck in “ruinous empathy,” and share practical ways to speak up with courage, self-control, and respect. 

If you want to give feedback without being mean, strengthen trust, and build the kind of authority people actually want to follow, this episode is for you.