I’ve spent much of my career trying to find that balance of kindness and candor. Some days I still get it wrong. I wait too long to speak up or soften my message until it loses its meaning. But I’ve also seen what happens when I lean into clarity with care. Conversations get shorter. Relationships get stronger. Work gets better.

Here's my challenge to you: think of a conversation you’ve been avoiding. You know, the uncomfortable but important one that has living rent free in your head for a while now. Write down what you’d say if you approached it with both kindness and candor and then have it.

You might be surprised by what happens. You may find relief, understanding, or even gratitude on the other side, because most people don’t need us to make them feel better. They need us to help them be clear.

Works Cited

Kennedy, S. P. (2024). An Exploration of Feedback Orientation in Library Workers. Library Management Journal.
Edmondson, A. (2023). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Harvard Business Review Press.
Newman, B. L. (2025). Building Psychological Safety in Academic Libraries. College & Research Libraries News.
Coughlan, S. (2022). “Viewed as Equals: The Impacts of Library Organizational Cultures and Management on Library Staff Morale.” Journal of Library Administration.
Carnegie Mellon University (2024). Delivering Effective Feedback: Clarity and Compassion in Organizational Culture.

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