The four

styles of communication​

THE basics​ OF Radical candour ​

Applying ​

radical candour​

PASSIVE

‘I LOSE, YOU WIN’

• Too nice

• Manipulative (i.e., guilt trips)

• Feel powerless

• Hold latent hostility

• Low self-esteem

• Lack of eye contact

• Submissive posture

‘DOOR MAT’

PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE

‘I LOSE, YOU LOSE’

• Avoid confrontation

• Insincere

• Indirect (e.g., sarcasm or subtle smirks)

• Manipulative

• Want to ‘get even’

• Feel powerless

• Facial expressions seem

forced

‘SLY FOX’

AGGRESSIVE

‘I WIN, YOU LOSE’

• Arrogant and hostile

• Blame, criticise and attack

• Self-absorbed

• Dominant

• Need power

• Loud voice and overbearing

posture

‘TICKING TIMEBOMB’

ASSERTIVE

‘I WIN, YOU WIN’

• Self-aware and confident

• Listen well and speak calmly

• Set clear boundaries

• Emotionally intelligent

• Make eye contact

• Have a relaxed posture

‘PEACEFUL WARRIOR’

This doesn’t mean digging your

heels in to

make a point – after all, you may find out you’re in the wrong.

It’s having the

courage to say what you need to say.

We don’t always know how people will react

to what we say or ask of them. However,

being assertive

requires

us to step firmly into uncomfortable

spaces and own them.

For your assertive message to get across,

it needs to be received and understood. Keep it simple; don’t get

lost in trying to over explain yourself. This will minimise the chance

of miscommunication.

when the spotlight shines on us, we need to stand our ground. But there are times when we can

take a step back to simmer down our strong emotions or prepare

before we speak on a sensitive subject.

Utilise empathetic

listening.

Being assertive doesn’t mean you

do all the

talking. Communication

is two way and

listening is

important.

MEET THE

AUTHOR

PODCAST

SERIES

During a team meeting brainstorming new marketing initiatives, your leader suggests an idea that you strongly believe won’t work – as you can think of a recent case at another business where that idea backfired and they lost loyal customers. Everyone else in the room is agreeing with your leader’s idea – you notice some groupthink going on.

Add your teams

answers here:

Get it. Being in the quadrant of radical candour is a new space for many of us. Before we act in it, we should get comfortable being on the other end of it.

Give it. Start being radically candid with those around you.

Gauge it. Radical candour isn’t a one-way statement, it’s a two-way discussion. Be aware of and understand how your message lands for the other person.

Encourage it. When you spot others being anything but radically candid, encourage them to talk to the person they’re having the conflict with or invite them to share their ideas in public.

Allow plenty of time, find privacy and turn off your phone ​

so that you can be present and listen to what is being said.

Experiencing difficult emotions is normal. Give yourself breathing space and take a slow, steady approach.

Open up a conversation, don’t just lay blame. ​

Avoid putting up walls or getting defensive – just be open and hear ​

what is being said.

Be respectful, reframe words from negative to positive, and be sure to go into the conversation with the right mindset and intent.

Radically candid conversations ​

don’t have to be perfect; they just need to happen.