Radical Candor in history: how honest feedback has shaped the United States

In a world where sugar-coating and tiptoeing around sensitive topics seem to be the norm, radical candor has established itself as a refreshing approach to challenge the status quo. Radical candor is a powerful concept that promotes open and honest communication while fostering meaningful relationships: it's like the hot sauce that spices up interactions and unlocks the true potential of individuals and teams.

We usually look up to modern business leaders to find examples of radical candor - from Ray Dalio to Ben Horowitz - but history offers us many fascinating examples of great minds using constructive criticism to drive excellence: my favorite one involves Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

In the early days of the United States, the Founding Fathers were tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, who was an eloquent writer, presented his drafts to Franklin, seeking his opinion and guidance.

Ben Franklin, known for his wisdom and sharp intellect, carefully examined Jefferson's drafts, but instead of avoiding difficult conversations, he embraced radical candor: he shared his thoughts with Jefferson, highlighting the strengths of the draft while ruthlessly scrutinizing his writeup and pinpointing all the areas that needed improvement: semantically, logically, and - unofficial chronicles report - even grammatically.

Jefferson did not hide his frustration in the moment, but later recognized the importance of Franklin's honest feedback in crafting a more powerful and impactful document, that would ultimately shape a nation.

Through radical candor, Franklin challenged Jefferson to refine his writing, urging him to make the Declaration more accessible and inclusive. He encouraged Jefferson to simplify the language and eliminate certain passages that might hinder its reception by the broader public. Franklin's directness and genuine concern for the success of the document allowed Jefferson to grow as a writer and to create a masterpiece that resonates with the American people to this day.

In his eulogy for Benjamin Franklin, Jefferson would later make multiple references to how the exposure to Franklin's candor over the years had been a constant "school of humility" for him, and conclude that "time will be making [Franklin] greater, while it is spunging us from its records".

Despite having been popularized in recent years by publication such as the excellent Kim Scott's book "Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity", radical candor is not a new phenomenon; it has played a crucial role throughout history, guiding individuals and shaping significant events.

By embracing honesty and open dialogue, Jefferson and Franklin were able to push the boundaries of their own capabilities, ensuring the Declaration of Independence became an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy. By daring to challenge one another with candor, they elevated their work and left a lasting impact on the world.

In our own lives, harnessing the principles of radical candor helps us foster more meaningful relationships and unlock our true potential: combining care and directness, we can create an environment where open and transparent communication thrives, paving the way for personal and professional growth.

Disclaimer

What's above represents my personal views and not the opinion or policy of my employers or any other company, organization or individual I can be associated with.

The facts expressed here belong to everybody, the quoted sections, stetements, and imagery belong to their respective authors, the opinions only to me: the distinction is yours to draw...