Why Knowing Your Core Values Makes You a Better Leader—and How to Discover Them with Robert Glazer 7|39
How do you stay true to your values when the pressure’s on? On this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Kim and Jason talk with Robert Glazer, author of The Compass Within, about what it really means to live and lead by your core values.
Robert shares how storytelling helps bring his framework for discovering and defining core values to life. Together, they explore how understanding what truly drives you can strengthen trust, simplify tough decisions, and help you authentically lead with care and conviction — even when it’s uncomfortable.
If you’ve ever wondered how to find your direction, make confident choices, and lead without losing yourself, this conversation is your compass.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com
Episode Links:
Transcript
Order The Compass Within
Core Values Discovery Course
The Six Core Values Questions
Robert's Newsletter: Friday Forward
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00) A New Chapter for Radical Candor
Jason shares an update on the podcast’s new twice-a-month format
(00:48) Meet Robert Glazer
Kim and Jason introduce Robert, his book The Compass Within, and the idea of values as a leadership compass.
(03:09) Why Values Matter
Why defining your personal values is essential for authentic leadership and decision-making.
(07:45) The Inverse Test
How frustration and discomfort can reveal your true core values.
(13:26) From Trust to Reliability
Kim and Robert explore how words like “trust” and “integrity” mean different things—and why clarity matters.
(21:30) The Six Questions Framework
Robert shares his practical process for identifying and validating your core values.
(27:22) The Cost of Integrity
Kim reflects on a time when staying true to her values came at a cost—and why it was worth it.
(41:20) Living Your Values
Robert reveals his own core values and how they connect to Radical Candor’s idea of “respectful authenticity.”
(49:12) Closing Reflections
How knowing your compass—your values—can help you lead with clarity, care, and conviction.
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What It Takes to Grow: Radical Candor Meets Hollywood with Adam Richman 7 | 38
Great films aren’t just about talent — they’re built on trust, clarity, and the kind of feedback that helps people grow. Kim and Amy talk with producer Adam Richman (Gran Torino, The Burial,) about Double Nickel's new film, Grow, and how Radical Candor can actually fuel creativity.
Adam shares why flattening hierarchies strengthens collaboration, how constraints spark innovation, and why gratitude creates teams that thrive. He also reflects on the joy of making Grow, a family film full of heart, hope, and giant pumpkins — coming to theaters October 17th.
If you want to create cultures where feedback is welcomed, relationships matter, and creativity flourishes, this conversation offers the inspiration to get started.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Transcript
Grow the Film
Grow the Film
Grow Theme Song by KT Tunstall
Adam Richman
Double Nickel Entertainment
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy introduce Adam Richman, producer of Gran Torino, The Burial, and Grow.
(00:03:07) Radical Candor in Creative Work
How caring personally and challenging directly helps creative teams thrive.
(00:08:34) Why Constraints Fuel Innovation
Adam shares how budget limits on Grow sparked better ideas.
(00:14:09) Flattening Hierarchies in Hollywood
Breaking down status walls on set to build stronger collaboration.
(00:20:21) Mentorship & Leading with Kindness
The role of mentorship and kindness in sustaining creative careers.
(00:24:10) Cultivating a Culture with Intention
Creating clarity and trust, and appreciation at every stage of production.
(00:28:44) The Film-Making Process
Adam explains the process of making Grow
(00:34:15) Feedback & Collaboration
How Radical Candor guides tough conversations and creative decisions.
(00:39:13) The Importance of Setting the Table
Lessons from Post-Production
(00:44:51) The Joy of Grow
Why this family film, out October 17th, is filled with hope and heart.
(00:48:48) Music & Joyful Storytelling
The story behind KT Tunstall’s theme song for Grow.
(00:52:15) Conclusion
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Are Flat Organizations More Efficient? Kim and Jason Weigh In 7 | 37
Chasing efficiency by flattening your organization can sound appealing, but true innovation and collaboration often thrive in a different kind of structure. Kim and Jason discuss how a thoughtful hierarchy — built on trust, clarity, and collaboration — helps teams do their best work. Drawing on lessons from Google, Apple, and Khan Academy, they share how empowered managers, clear decision-making, and open communication can transform the way organizations function. They also offer practical strategies for creating a collaboration hierarchy that supports managers, strengthens relationships, and gives great ideas the space to flourish. If you’re ready to build a culture where teams feel trusted, connected, and inspired, this conversation provides the helpful guidance you need to make it happen.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Transcript
Middle Managers: Dinosaurs or Essential Glue? 7 | 4
Get Shit Done Step 4 — Push Decisions Into the Facts 4 | 10
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Jason introduce why “flat” organizations aren’t always as efficient as they seem.
(00:01:56) The Myth of Flat Organizations
Why fewer layers don’t automatically lead to better efficiency.
(00:04:03) Why Companies Flatten
Collaboration hierarchies versus command-and-control structures.
(00:08:02) Reality of Managerial Capacity
How having manageable spans of control can foster innovation.
(00:12:44) Collaborative Hierarchies
Examples of how thoughtful hierarchy supports entrepreneurship.
(00:18:48) Decision-Making & Trust
Building employee trust through transparent decision-making.
(00:22:01) Avoiding Silent Failures
The hidden risks when managers are overloaded and politics take over.
(00:26:45) Democratizing Communication
How open communication and collaboration beat rigid hierarchies.
(00:29:31) Fixing Managerial Overload
Practical strategies to maintain efficiency without burning out managers.
(00:36:34) Radical Candor Tips
Actionable tips to keep communication open and teams thriving.
(00:38:02) Conclusion
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The Cult of The Credo: How a Beloved Brand Betrayed Your Trust 7 | 36
When a company’s values don’t match its actions, the impact can be devastating. Kim and Amy speak with investigative journalist Gardiner Harris about his book, No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson. Harris uncovers how a company once seen as the gold standard of integrity used its famous “Credo” to build emotional trust while covering up harmful practices—from baby powder linked to cancer to its role in the opioid crisis. The conversation goes beyond one company, raising bigger questions about accountability, transparency, and the systems meant to keep us safe. It’s a candid look at how misplaced trust can cause lasting damage—and what it really takes to create a culture where honesty and responsibility come first.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Gardiner Harris
No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson
The Weekly | A Secret Opioid Memo That Could Have Slowed an Epidemic | The New York Times
A Devastating New Exposé of Johnson & Johnson Indicts an Entire System | The New Republic
The Johnson & Johnson Cancer Drug Scandal That Encapsulates Corruption In Health Care | STAT News
J&J Is Back On The Legal Warpath After Striking Out In Baby Powder Bankruptcy | Reuters
Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean? | Center for Medicare Advocacy
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth
Physician Payments Sunshine Act (also known as the Open Payments program)
Watch Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders | Netflix
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy introduce Gardiner Harris, investigative journalist and author.
(00:01:01) No More Tears
Why Gardiner’s book hasn't been widely covered by the media.
(00:07:35) Hidden Dangers of Products
Overview of Johnson & Johnson’s vast range of dangerous products.
(00:15:13) Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes
How antipsychotics were pushed to sedate elderly patients.
(00:16:58) Opioids & Corporate Responsibility
The role Johnson & Johnson played in the opioid epidemic.
(00:24:04) The Power of Branding & Emotional Trust
The exploitation of emotional branding to avoid accountability.
(00:27:28) Incentives, Conflicts, & Complicity
How financial incentives corrupted doctors, researchers, and hospitals
(00:39:12) Breaking Points & Speaking Up
Stories about the individuals affected by Johnson & Johnson.
(00:47:27) The Cult of the Credo
How J&J weaponized its corporate credo to silence whistleblowers.
(00:52:19) How J&J Got Away With It
The ways J&J avoided accountability and hid decades of misconduct.
(00:57:36) Tylenol, Safety, & the Illusion of Trust
The FDA’s inability—or unwillingness—to enforce safety despite evidence.
(01:03:29) Hope, Oversight & Individual Action
How individual action and awareness can drive systemic change.
(01:08:10) Conclusion
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The Billion-Dollar Cost of Bad Meetings 7 | 35
Endless meetings can be exhausting — but what if they could actually be productive and meaningful? Kim and Amy talk with Dr. Steven Rogelberg, author of Glad We Met and The Surprising Science of Meetings, about how to run effective meetings and make every minute count — especially during one-on-one meetings. Steven shares research-backed tips for running better meetings, from framing agendas as questions to setting clear meeting norms that invite everyone’s voice. He explains why one-on-one meetings are the most important conversations managers can have, how they build trust, strengthen relationships, and boost team performance, and why they should never be replaced by an email. If you’re ready to spend less time in unproductive meetings and more time having conversations that count, this episode offers helpful guidance on meeting best practices, better collaboration, and creating space for real connection.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Transcript
Steven Rogelberg
We Asked a Meeting Scientist How to Make Meetings Better — Here's What He Said
7 Ways To Improve One-on-One Meetings | Radical Candor
Effective 1:1s - Tips For One-on-One Meetings With Your Team | Radical Candor
3 Tips For How To Run Effective Staff Meetings | Radical Candor
Glad we Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings — Steven Rogelberg, Ph.D.
The Surprising Science of Meetings — Steven Rogelberg, Ph.D.
Meet Like A Boss — The 411 On 1:1s | Radical Candor Podcast S2, Ep. 9
Making Meetings Suck Less: Advice From Dr. Steven Rogelberg
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy introduce guest Dr. Steven Rogelberg, organizational psychologist and an expert on meetings.
(00:03:51) The Impact of Meetings
The global volume of meetings and the underestimated economic impact.
(00:06:33) Optimizing Meetings
Misconceptions about meetings and advice on improving their effectiveness.
(00:09:39) Framing Agendas as Questions
How to ensure that the meeting agenda questions are valuable.
(00:12:01) Soliciting Feedback in Meetings
Whether feedback should be solicited at the end of meetings.
(00:14:24) Power of Silent Brainstorming
Advice on encouraging team members to speak up in meetings.
(00:17:51) Value of One-on-Ones
Research that highlights the desire for more one-on-one meetings.
(00:20:49) Building Relationships in One-on-Ones
The importance of building relationships in one-on-one meetings.
(00:25:54) One-on-One Best Practices
Tips on starting, structuring, and scheduling one-on-one meetings.
(00:28:21) Trust Through Signals
How the location and questions of a one-on-one send powerful signals.
(00:33:15) Scheduling for Success
Optimizing schedules by spacing out one-on-ones and time blocking.
(00:37:22) The Direct Report’s Role
How direct reports can prepare for meetings with their managers.
(00:41:48) Conclusion
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Ready to love your job, crush your career goals, and become the kind of leader everyone actually wants to work with?
Welcome to the Radical Candor podcast, where you'll learn how to kick ass at work without losing your humanity. Host Amy Sandler and Radical Candor co-founders Kim Scott and Jason Rosoff to break down how you can Care Personally and Challenge Directly — the deceptively simple but powerful formula for building stronger teams, giving (and getting) better feedback, and leading with heart and clarity.
Each episode is packed with real talk, relatable stories, and actionable tips to help you do the best work of your life while building the best relationships of your career. Whether you’re a manager, a team player, or dreaming bigger for your future, this is the podcast that will change how you show up at work — and in life. P.S. Don’t forget to check out Kim Scott’s New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity! Want even more Radical Candor? Join the Radical Candor Community — free forever.
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