Radical Candor: Communication at Work What Founders Need to Know About Feedback and Culture 7 | 33
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Aug 13, 2025 Julia Austin, an executive coach, author of "After the Idea," and educator at Harvard Business School, shares invaluable insights for startup founders. She discusses why early hires are crucial in shaping company culture and the necessity of establishing feedback systems from day one. Julia emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations and encourages leaders to embrace a culture of transparency and continuous learning. With practical advice on aligning team goals, she highlights that building successful businesses hinges on strong relationships and effective communication.
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Co-Create 30/60/90 Goals With New Hires
- Use 30/60/90 day plans and co-create goals with new hires to set shared expectations.
- Revisit and pivot goals explicitly; crossing off an old goal is not failure but deliberate change.
Address Chronic Dissatisfaction By Checking Fit
- Ask how you might be complicit when an employee is never satisfied and check whether you've truly set them up to win.
- If you've tried everything, honestly assess fit and decide whether to transition the person out.
Value Constructive Contrarians
- A contrarian or skeptical person can add vital perspective if not toxic.
- Successful teams need diverse working styles and leaders should enable them to collaborate productively.
