From Bottlenecks to Buy-In: Overcoming Bureaucracy at Work S7, Ep.16

Ever feel like getting anything done at work means running a marathon through molasses? You’re not alone. On this episode of the Radical Candor podcast, Amy and Jason go full throttle on the soul-sucking systems that slow teams down and wear people out. Sparked by a listener stuck in a tangle of outdated processes, they unpack how well-meaning rules morph into momentum killers—and what to do when speaking up feels like you’re just making it worse. With a blend of straight talk, lived experience, and a whole lot of Radical Candor, they offer a new playbook: lead with curiosity, advocate with clarity, and stop waiting for permission to fix what’s broken. This one’s for anyone who's tired of navigating systems built to say "no" when the work is begging for a "hell yes." #radicalcandor

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Listener's Question
03:04 Understanding Bottlenecks and Trust Issues
06:01 The Role of Approval Processes
09:13 Communicating Change Effectively
11:52 Curiosity and Understanding in Communication
14:55 Collaborative Decision-Making
17:47 Practical Examples and Lessons Learned
21:06 Reframing the Conversation
23:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
25:53 Navigating Workplace Frustrations
27:55 Role-Playing Solutions for Managerial Challenges
31:36 Understanding Customer Needs vs. Process
35:37 Empowering Employees in Decision-Making
40:31 Implementing Radical Candor in Conversations