Talking to Flat Earthers: Managing Post-Election Tension at Work With Denise Hamilton 6 | 43

Radical Candor: Communication at Work

(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:03:32) Discussing Politics at Work
(00:05:01) Contradictory Messages
(00:07:21) Building a Respectful Work Culture
(00:10:59) Personal and Workplace Boundaries
(00:12:59) The Role of Respect in Understanding
(00:16:42) Holding Space for Emotions Post-Election
(00:21:36) Leaders Counteracting Negativity
(00:24:03) Common Ground in Heated Times
(00:27:05) Approaching Sensitive Topics Mindfully
(00:31:52) Navigating Information Curation
(00:35:43) Misinformation and a Leader’s Responsibility
(00:39:23) Owning vs. Renting: Social Responsibility
(00:44:06) The Vision for a Relationship-Centered Future
(00:46:05) Conclusion
Examining and expanding our capacity to hold different beliefs. If we decide we’re going to stop talking to the flat earthers, the only people they have left to talk to are other flat earthers. So that super imposes and reinforces the concepts in a circle, and you’re never going to penetrate or get any kind of connection, reconnection with that person. We have to stay in relationship.
Brace yourself—this episode is all about navigating workplace tension with Radical Candor. Kim and Amy team up with Denise Hamilton, author of Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences Into a Stronger Future, to tackle the complicated landscape of workplace polarization and the radical power of respect. Denise, known for her "irrational optimism," sheds light on how we can bridge deep divides, even when it feels impossible and that respect isn’t something earned through understanding—it’s the baseline that makes understanding possible. They explore why caring personally means building trust, even when opinions clash, and how we can create workplaces that honor both individual voices and collective purpose. With Denise’s wisdom and Kim’s Radical Candor principles, this episode digs into the tough conversations leaders often avoid but desperately need. If you’ve ever felt the strain of differing views at work, this conversation is for you—because staying connected is the only way forward.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:

• Navigating Political Discussions At Work | Radical Candor Podcast S6, Ep. 34Radical Respect — Indivisible
• Indivisible Book — Denise Hamilton
• WatchHerWork
• Denise Hamilton
• Radical Candor Community

Connect:

• Website
• Instagram
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• YouTube

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy introduce Denise Hamilton, author of Indivisible.

(00:03:32) Discussing Politics at Work
Insights into the discomfort around political conversations in professional settings.

(00:05:01) Contradictory Messages
The conflicting messages people face around authenticity at work.

(00:07:22) Building a Respectful Work Culture
How workplace culture influences political discussions.

(00:10:59) Personal and Workplace Boundaries
Balancing personal beliefs and professionalism at work.

(00:12:59) The Role of Respect in Understanding
Respect as the foundation for understanding others.

(00:16:42) Holding Space for Emotions Post-Election
The importance of allowing emotional expression at work after tense events.

(00:21:36) Leaders Counteracting Negativity
The role leaders play in intentionally fostering positivity.

(00:24:03) Common Ground in Heated Times
Finding common ground with people who hold different views.

(00:27:05) Approaching Sensitive Topics Mindfully
Denise shares her “four-question rubric” for starting difficult conversations.

(00:31:52) Navigating Information Curation
The pitfalls of curated news and incomplete information.

(00:35:43) Misinformation and a Leader’s Responsibility
How leaders should address misinformation in their organizations.

(00:39:23) Owning vs. Renting: Social Responsibility
Adopting a long-term, invested mindset for societal change.

(00:44:06) The Vision for a Relationship-Centered Future
Hope for a future rooted in personal connections and humanity.

(00:46:05) Conclusion