Candor & Courage At Work®

How far would you go to do the right thing at work? Further than you think, or not as far as you'd hope? In this episode, we share a listener's story that stopped us in our tracks. Their employer rolled out a mandatory wellness program that crossed a serious line, and this employee had to make a choice: go along with it, or risk their job to say no. This story is a candid look at what courage can...

You can't always stop passive aggressive behavior at work. But you have more control over it than you think. In this episode, we're continuing our series on passive aggression and answering a listener's question: Can managers prevent passive aggressive behavior from taking root in the first place? Then we share two real stories of passive aggression in action, specifically when the person being pa...

As a leader, you don't have a choice. You have to have the hard conversations. In this episode, we're addressing feedback from two listeners about our recent series on managing underperformers: I'm afraid the underperformer will quit if I bring it up, and I can't afford to lose them. What if *I* am the problem? Then we shift into something that shows up in every workplace: passive aggressive behav...

Every day you avoid the underperformer conversation, you're sending a message to your whole team. In this episode, we’re sharing how to finally address it the right way. We walk through how to analyze the situation and the data, how to have the actual conversation, and why documentation and follow-up are non-negotiable.  We're also sharing two real stories of when underperformers went unchecked, s...

If you've never had an underperformer, you are a leadership unicorn! It's something every people-manager deals with at some point in their career, and how you handle it impacts the whole team. In this episode, we walk through how to handle underperformance before it spirals, including: the honest questions every manager needs to ask themselves first, how to consider the full context around an empl...

How do you balance a meaningful career with being present for your family, without completely depleting yourself in the process? In this episode, we talk with the winner of our goal-setting contest about her biggest challenge for 2026: refilling her energy bucket so she can show up fully for the things and people that matter most to her.  It's a candid conversation about building meaningful profes...

If you're tired of setting goals only to abandon them by “Quitter’s Friday” (the second Friday in January), this episode is for you.  We're sharing a better way to approach goals (that actually makes them stick), inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits, lessons from legendary coach Nick Saban, and our own experiences. Denise opens up about how one candid moment helped her break a lifelong habit of...

What do you do when your boss asks for feedback… and you know they might not like the answer? That question was at the heart of both of our stories in this episode, where we revisit two career-defining moments of high-stakes candor. In each case, there was no time to rehearse, just a split-second choice between staying silent or saying what needed to be said, even if it meant telling your boss the...

As 2025 winds down, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. In this episode, we share five powerful questions designed to help you get clear on your professional goals, especially when it comes to learning with candor and courage at work. Whether you're looking to stretch your strengths, scratch a creative itch, or lean into your personal brand, these questions will guide you toward a year tha...

One year ago, we started the podcast with one big question: What would change if more leaders spoke honestly and bravely at work? In this special anniversary episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments and takeaways from the past 12 episodes. If you’re new here, this is the perfect introduction. And if you’ve been with us from the beginning, it’s a chance to reflect on the ideas and insights...

When the wrong words could cost you trust, credibility, or even your job… how do you speak up anyway?  In this episode, we explore High Stakes Candor, what it means to prioritize the other person’s success over your temporary discomfort, and why that mindset is essential when the stakes are high. Plus, Denise shares about the time she had to decide whether to live up to her reputation for candor o...

Courageous leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions. In this episode, we explore what courage looks like in practice: creating psychological safety, supporting career development for your employees, and following through on what you say you’ll do (even if it means calling every two weeks for ten months). You’ll learn why psychological safety is non-negot...

No one brings their A-game to work for a manager who doesn’t “walk the talk.” In this episode, executive coach Kent Vaughn joins us to explore what it really takes to lead with integrity… starting with yourself. From self-leadership and personal accountability to giving (and receiving) feedback, Kent breaks down the core habits that separate great leaders from the rest. You’ll learn why intentions...

The rise to the top is full of twists and turns.   Maggie was recently a guest on the Silver Divorce podcast, hosted by Lisa McCluskey. In the episode, Maggie shares her career journey and decision to start her own firm at age 60.   Maggie Carrington is a seasoned HR strategist and business advisor with over 35 years of experience transforming people operations into powerful drivers of performance...

More than 30 years after The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People hit the shelves (and cassette players), Stephen Covey’s work still shapes leaders today.  In this episode, rather than walking through each habit one by one, we’re unpacking the deeper mindset shifts the book inspires and why Covey’s ideas remain essential for anyone who wants to lead with integrity and build teams that thrive. Wheth...

Reentering the job market after a long absence can present several challenges, including outdated skills, changing job market conditions, self-doubt, and age discrimination. And, the process for seeking out and interviewing for jobs has changed dramatically. But, don’t be discouraged! Maggie was recently a guest on the Silver Divorce podcast, hosted by Lisa McCluskey. In the episode, Maggie and Li...

Having something important to say doesn't mean it's easy to say it. In this episode we’re tackling listeners’ questions about navigating sensitive conversations without hurting feelings and building the confidence to voice your opinions despite fears of negative reactions. After listening to this episode, you'll know how (and when) to speak up when it matters most, how to deliver difficult message...

Workplace courage isn’t always about diving straight into the deep end. Sometimes you can wade in, one step at a time. After listening to this episode, you will know the power of taking calculated risks at work, how they build your confidence, and three specific ways you can practice courage at work (today). Plus, we answer a listener’s question about a team member who avoids conflict, and Maggie...

Ever wonder why some leaders can deliver tough feedback that motivates people, while others leave their teams feeling deflated?  In this episode, we share practical strategies for making feedback feel like a gift rather than a burden, including creating an 'emotional bank account' and planning your respectful candor for a time when it will be best received. Key Takeaways: Turn difficult conversati...

Fear is ingrained in each of us from a young age. Every day as we left for school, our parents would say “Be careful!” Now, as adults and professionals, we must first recognize what our fears are, and then practice courage to overcome them. In this episode, we discuss the three levels of fear and provide questions that you can ask yourself the next time you’re preparing to be courageous. Resources...

When you think of courage, you probably imagine a firefighter running into a burning building. But there are actually *nine* types of courage, and we’re diving into them today. We also address a listener’s question about their colleague’s Ruinous Empathy, why courage is big AND small, and a few ways you can start implementing courage at work. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Lear...

Obnoxious Aggression, Ruinous Empathy, Manipulative Insincerity, and Radical Candor. These are the four types of behaviors outlined in Kim Scott’s book, Radical Candor, and understanding these behaviors can be eye-opening for leaders who need to provide kind and clear criticism to their employees. In this episode, we discuss those behaviors, why you should build trust *before* you need to be candi...

Now that we’ve introduced the principles of candor and courage, we can dive a bit deeper. In this episode, we share insights we’ve learned about candor. Denise shares the story of her first time providing brutally honest feedback and how it set her on the path to mastering candor. Plus, the top reasons why people avoid candor in the workplace and how giving honest (but kind) feedback can help empl...

In this introductory episode, we share our reasoning behind starting the podcast and introduce ourselves. We also explain why candor is important to Denise, and how Maggie defines courage. Most importantly, we share how candor and courage work hand-in-hand, and what you can expect from future episodes!    Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!   Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com

Many people struggle with being candid and courageous at work. Two HR professionals, Denise and Maggie, want to share what they have learned about Candor & Courage At Work to help YOU use those traits in your daily work life, so you can be more successful! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.