Radical Candor (Plus Volleyball IQ)

Coaching is about relationships. MasterClass professor Kim Scott suggests ways to manage hard conversations with her term, "Radical Candor." 

She uses a '2 x 2 matrix' to assess communication style through "care personally" and "challenge directly." 

At our best, we are in Brad Stevens terms, "warm and demanding" equaling RADICAL CANDOR. 

At our worst, uncaring and confrontational we use OBNOXIOUS AGGRESSION. Two problems with obnoxious aggression are 1) ineffectiveness and 2) personal hurt. 

MANIPULATIVE INSINCERITY results in backstabbing, passive-aggressive behavior, or political malfeasance. 

RUINOUS EMPATHY results when we care but fail to tell people what they need to know. It's silent failure. 

Scott recommends using the framework for better conversations, not to 'name names'. 

She asks us to consider, "how can I be better?" Don't see managers, peers, or subordinates as enemies. Not engaging, not communicating is not an option. 

Coaching is the art of communication through connection, teaching, psychology, reassessment and revision. 

Critical components:

• Education changes behavior. 
• Engender loyalty through trust, trust through caring.
• "Speak greatness" by doing the work of inspiration.
• Be accurate and specific. 
• Use feedback sandwiches, "Kiss me. Kick me. Kiss me." 

Skill development can be a form of "pure coaching," impacting winning without game management. 

Candor may bump up against reality. Economics is the 'allocation of scarce resources' which occurs during coaching. The limited resources are minutes, role, and recognition. Coaches navigate those waters based on experience and personalities. 

The AI Take: Radical Candor is a management philosophy created by Kim Scott, which emphasizes the importance of providing honest feedback to employees while also showing that you care about them as individuals.

Radical candor involves giving direct and constructive feedback in a way that is both kind and clear. It encourages managers to be truthful and transparent while also showing empathy and concern for their team members.

Radical Candor is based on the idea that creating a culture of open communication and trust can lead to better results, stronger relationships, and higher levels of job satisfaction.

Lagniappe (something extra). Raise your volleyball IQ. 

Lagniappe 2. A little too much standing around for my liking...