The Evil Translator & The Fundamental Attribution Error (Best of) 7 | 21

Radical Candor: Communication at Work

On this Best of episode of the Radical Candor podcast, Kim, Jason and Amy discuss how the fundamental attribution error makes us more likely to use personality attributes to explain someone else’s behavior rather than considering our own behavior or situational factors that were probably the real cause of the behavior. This is where the “not about personality” part of Radical Candor comes into play. Plus, Jason shares a hilarious (and painfully relatable) story about the “evil little translator” in his head that used to turn even well-meaning feedback into: 🗣️ “You’re terrible. You’re completely incompetent. It’s a miracle you tied your shoes this morning.” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Tune in, laugh, and maybe rethink the way you hear feedback.

Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠.

Episode Links:

• Transcript

• Beware The Fundamental Attribution Error: Radical Candor Podcast 5 | 8

• 6 Tips for Giving Helpful Feedback

• Get to the CORE of Giving Radically Candid Feedback

• Fundamental attribution error – Wikipedia

• Fundamental Attribution Error: What It Is & How to Avoid It

• Giving Feedback: 4 Ways To Avoid Personalizing It

• Fundamental Attribution Error – The Decision Lab

• The Three Components of Self-Compassion

Connect:

• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
• ⁠Bluesky⁠

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Amy, Kim, and Jason introduce the episode topic of the Fundamental Attribution Error.

(00:01:46) Humility Before Feedback

Why feedback opens the door to better understanding and solutions.

(00:04:50) The Empty Boat

A parable highlighting how misjudgments stem from our own triggers.

(00:07:59) Blame the System or the Person?

How systemic forces shape behavior more than we realize.

(00:09:05) Building Relationships to Overcome Bias

Whether relationships reduce our tendency to make assumptions.

(00:11:15) Reframing How We Give Feedback

How a simple language shift transforms conflict into connection.

(00:14:54) Feedback Without Personality Labels

How focusing on action makes feedback more impactful.

(00:16:12) The CORE (or CORN) Framework

Overview of a framework that makes feedback clear and actionable.

(00:18:33) Real-World Examples of CORE

An example of how CORE could have de-escalated a situation.

(00:22:24) CORE Keeps Feedback Focused

How CORE shifts feedback from past-focused to future-focused.

(00:27:01) Internal Critic and Self-Compassion

Unpacking how our harsh inner voice colors how we hear feedback.

(00:34:29) Managing Sensitive Team Members

How to support colleagues with self-doubt through clarity and care.

(00:36:12) From Furious to Curious

Alternatives to personality-based criticism to make feedback constructive.

(00:38:19) Radical Candor Tips

Practical, actionable tips for giving and receiving feedback with care.

(00:42:44) Conclusion

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