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Listen "A Framework for Communicating Hard News (That Actually Works) 7 | 31"
Episode Synopsis
Candor Coach and executive coach Farrah Mitra joins Amy Sandler to share her 4-step Communicating Change Framework—a practical guide for leaders navigating layoffs, performance conversations, or org changes. Learn how to deliver tough news with kindness, clarity, and confidence, without causing unnecessary harm. A must-listen for anyone leading through change with Radical Candor.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Transcript
Communicating Change with Clarity and Care—A Framework for Leaders
The Biggest Reason We Run from Challenging Conversations
What's Your Radical Candor Story? Candor Coaches Share The Feedback They're Most Grateful For
Farrah Mitra | LinkedIn
Lead Change Better: A New Way to Communicate What’s Coming
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Amy introduces Farrah Mitra, Radical Candor coach and creator of the Communicating Change framework.
(00:01:49) Why This Matters
Two stories that highlight the power of how change is communicated.
(00:04:47) Framing Makes the Difference
How message delivery impacts emotional response.
(00:06:28) Goals of the Framework
The overarching goal of the Communicating Change framework.
(00:07:36) Why We Avoid Empathy
Why leaders struggle with human-centered communication during change.
(00:09:54) Structure Creates Confidence
Creating a process that facilitates courage and clarity in conversations.
(00:11:30) Communicating Change Framework
A framework that gives leaders direction during tough conversations.
(00:13:00) Coaching for Mindset Shifts
Coaching to focus on reframing how leaders feel before they speak.
(00:14:20) Reframing from Guilt to Partnership
A real coaching story shows how shifting mindset changes everything.
(00:17:51) Grief, Identity & Communication
Why emotional processing is key before delivering hard news.
(00:21:00) Clarifying the Message
Choosing a narrative that doesn't mix performance and role decisions.
(00:25:13) Focus on the Receiver
Questions to help reverse engineer empathetic communication.
(00:29:02) Helpful Phrasing Tips
Phrasing examples to tailor language to ensure authenticity and clarity.
(00:31:15) Empathy vs. Niceness
Thoughtfully using structure to communicate with clarity and compassion.
(00:35:24) Company-Wide Implementation
How one org made the framework part of their leadership culture.
(00:38:19) Why Empathy Still Wins
Human-centered communication prevents harm—even in tough moments.
(00:39:52) Connect with Farrah
Where to connect with Farrah and find her framework.
(00:41:11) Conclusion
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Transcript
Communicating Change with Clarity and Care—A Framework for Leaders
The Biggest Reason We Run from Challenging Conversations
What's Your Radical Candor Story? Candor Coaches Share The Feedback They're Most Grateful For
Farrah Mitra | LinkedIn
Lead Change Better: A New Way to Communicate What’s Coming
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Amy introduces Farrah Mitra, Radical Candor coach and creator of the Communicating Change framework.
(00:01:49) Why This Matters
Two stories that highlight the power of how change is communicated.
(00:04:47) Framing Makes the Difference
How message delivery impacts emotional response.
(00:06:28) Goals of the Framework
The overarching goal of the Communicating Change framework.
(00:07:36) Why We Avoid Empathy
Why leaders struggle with human-centered communication during change.
(00:09:54) Structure Creates Confidence
Creating a process that facilitates courage and clarity in conversations.
(00:11:30) Communicating Change Framework
A framework that gives leaders direction during tough conversations.
(00:13:00) Coaching for Mindset Shifts
Coaching to focus on reframing how leaders feel before they speak.
(00:14:20) Reframing from Guilt to Partnership
A real coaching story shows how shifting mindset changes everything.
(00:17:51) Grief, Identity & Communication
Why emotional processing is key before delivering hard news.
(00:21:00) Clarifying the Message
Choosing a narrative that doesn't mix performance and role decisions.
(00:25:13) Focus on the Receiver
Questions to help reverse engineer empathetic communication.
(00:29:02) Helpful Phrasing Tips
Phrasing examples to tailor language to ensure authenticity and clarity.
(00:31:15) Empathy vs. Niceness
Thoughtfully using structure to communicate with clarity and compassion.
(00:35:24) Company-Wide Implementation
How one org made the framework part of their leadership culture.
(00:38:19) Why Empathy Still Wins
Human-centered communication prevents harm—even in tough moments.
(00:39:52) Connect with Farrah
Where to connect with Farrah and find her framework.
(00:41:11) Conclusion
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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