Oversharing at Work: When TMI Tanks Trust 6 | 45

Radical Candor: Communication at Work

The fine line between transparency and TMI.
Let’s get into it: oversharing at work — we’ve all done it, and we’ve all cringed after. But here’s the tea: when we spill sensitive info without thinking, we’re not just breaking trust, we’re tanking our ability to Care Personally and Challenge Directly. In this episode, Kim, Jason, and Amy dig into a listener's story about sharing too much too soon and just how quickly oversharing can derail trust and create chaos. They unpack why these missteps happen, how different company cultures play into it, and what it really takes to find that sweet spot between transparency and discretion. If you’ve ever found yourself in the awkward aftermath of an overshare, this one’s for you. Let’s learn how to slow down, think it through, and keep our Radical Candor intact!
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:

• Use the GSD Wheel So No One Feels Sad, Bad or Left Out 4 | 2
  

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Amy, Kim and Jason introduce the episode around a listener’s question on oversharing at work.

(00:01:26) Listener's Question on Oversharing
A listener seeks advice on managing sensitive information more effectively.
(00:03:58) Communication and Cultural Assumptions
How organizational secrecy and biases affect information sharing.

(00:06:30) Pause and Reflect
The importance of pausing before sharing any potentially sensitive information.

(00:08:42) Organizational Communication Structure
Insights into structured vs. open communication styles and their impact.

(00:12:09) Developing Effective Information Channels
Strategies for ensuring efficient communication and reducing redundancy.

(00:17:12) Soliciting Feedback and Building Trust
Soliciting feedback from team leads after communication missteps.

(00:22:16) Framework for Information Sensitivity
The “Category” framework to clarify communication roles and boundaries.

(00:24:56) Initiative and Respecting Boundaries
The balance of taking initiative versus respecting organizational boundaries.

(00:28:55) Communication and Problem Preference
Being clear on workplace communication styles to tackle preferred challenges.

(00:33:43) Personalizing Communication Styles
Insights on managing communication impulsivity and biases.

(00:38:47) Radical Candor Tips
Checklist for managing sensitive information and improving communication.

(00:41:05) Conclusion