Scaling Smart: Leading Effectively When You Have 50+ Direct Reports 7 | 10

(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:27) The Limits of Scaling Relationships
(00:02:47) Using an Ideas Team
(00:06:15) Purpose of One-on-Ones
(00:07:29) Small Fixes, Big Impact
(00:11:47) Management by Walking Around
(00:14:15) Overcoming Employee Hesitancy
(00:16:51) Small Talk & Active Listening
(00:18:46) Structuring One-on-Ones for Large Teams
(00:22:46) Managers Shouldn’t Solve Everything
(00:27:42) Listening Versus Fixing
(00:30:37) Practicing Active Listening
(00:38:39) Scaling Management Structure
(00:39:47) Radical Candor Tips
(00:42:07) Conclusion

Too many direct reports and not enough time? Fix that without losing your sanity.

Drowning in direct reports and barely keeping your head above water? When you’re responsible for 30 to 50 people, the idea of meaningful one-on-ones is a joke—but so is pretending you can manage that many people without a meltdown. On this episode, Kim and Amy rip apart the myth that “just working harder” will fix the problem and get real about why traditional leadership approaches fail at scale. From no-nonsense strategies like idea teams (so you’re not drowning in suggestions), walking the floor like a pro, and knowing when to listen without turning into everyone’s personal complaint department, they share simple strategies to build trust and keep things running smoothly. Reality check: You cannot have deep, weekly 1:1s with 40+ people. But you can create a system where your team still feels seen and heard. Tune in to learn:

✔ How to set up an Ideas Team so great feedback doesn’t overwhelm you
✔ Why walking the floor is more powerful than endless meetings
✔ How to make the most of the few 1:1s you do have

Leadership doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Let’s do it smarter, not harder.

Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.

Episode Links:

• 7 Ways To Improve One-on-One Meetings | Radical Candor
• Effective 1:1s - Tips For One-on-One Meetings With Your Team
• Have More Effective 1:1 Meetings | Radical Candor Podcast 2 | 9
• How To Get Shit Done | Radical Candor Podcast 4 | 2
• Radical Candor – Boost Leadership Capability | Joyous
• You Have Too Many Managers | Kieran Snyder
• Leading Large Teams: How to Manage 50+ Direct Reports In an Open Office or Factory Setting | Radical Candor

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