radical-candor

# Radical Candor Feedback Skill

A framework for giving feedback that is kind, clear, specific, and sincere—helping people improve while showing you genuinely care about them.

## The Radical Candor Framework

Radical Candor sits at the intersection of two dimensions:

```
                    CARE PERSONALLY
                          ↑
                          |
     Ruinous          |          Radical
     Empathy          |          Candor
    "Nice but         |        "Kind and
     unhelpful"       |         clear"
                      |
   ←------------------+------------------→ CHALLENGE DIRECTLY
                      |
     Manipulative     |          Obnoxious
     Insincerity      |          Aggression
    "Passive          |        "Brutal
     aggressive"      |         honesty"
                      |
                          ↓
```

### The Four Quadrants

| Quadrant | Care | Challenge | Result |
|----------|------|-----------|--------|
| **Radical Candor** | High | High | Growth and trust |
| **Ruinous Empathy** | High | Low | Stagnation, surprises at reviews |
| **Obnoxious Aggression** | Low | High | Fear, defensiveness |
| **Manipulative Insincerity** | Low | Low | Politics, backstabbing |

## Core Principles

### 1. Be Humble
- You might be wrong
- State your perspective, not absolute truth
- Use "I noticed..." not "You always..."

### 2. Be Helpful
- Your goal is their success, not venting
- Focus on behaviors they can change
- Offer support, not just criticism

### 3. Be Immediate
- Give feedback within 2-3 days of the event
- Context is fresh for both parties
- Small corrections prevent big problems

### 4. Be In Person (or Synchronous)
- Praise in public, criticize in private
- Allow for dialogue and questions
- Read body language and adjust

### 5. Be Specific
- Describe the situation clearly
- Explain the behavior observed
- Share the impact it had

## Feedback Formula: SBI-I

Use this structure for clear, actionable feedback:

### **S**it