Lead with Radical Candor to Build Trust Beyond Language
As a non-native English–speaking executive, you know that clear, honest communication is the backbone of high-performing teams.
Kim Scott’s Radical Candor framework, Care Personally + Challenge Directly, is your fast-track to trust, engagement, and results, no matter what your native language is.
Why It Matters
Trust Trumps Fluency: Teams value authenticity over perfect grammar.
Better Feedback, Faster Growth: Candid conversations accelerate performance and prevent small issues from becoming big problems.
Inclusive Culture: When everyone feels heard, language barriers fade and collaboration soars.
3 Actionable Steps
Show You Care
One-on-One Check-Ins: Schedule 10 minutes each week to ask a colleague about their goals or challenges.
Active Listening: Paraphrase: “So you’re saying X. Did I get that right?” This builds rapport and clarifies meaning.
Challenge Directly
Behavior-Focused Feedback: Frame feedback around actions, not personality.
✔️ “When you paused mid-demo, I noticed the team lost focus.”
✖️ “You’re too nervous.”
Practice the “3-2-1” Model:
Praise one specific success.
Critique one improvement opportunity.
Repeat with a follow-up plan.
Model and Embed
Lead by Example: Offer Radical Candor feedback publicly so others feel safe to follow.
Peer Feedback Session: Once a month, host a 15-minute “candor circle” where team members exchange quick, structured feedback.
Get the Proven Framework
Click here to get your copy of The Executive Communication Breakthrough and discover the framework top executives use to communicate with confidence, clarity and connection.
