In this episode, Bradley sits down with Amy Sandler, principal coach at Radical Candor, podcast host, and former chief marketing officer. The conversation explores how emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and communication shape leadership, especially for business owners who are trying to lead well under pressure.

They discuss why feedback can feel threatening, why leaders often get defensive in the moment, and how asking for feedback can build trust before giving it. Amy also explains how mindfulness, curiosity, and emotional regulation help leaders show up more effectively in conversations with their teams.

This conversation moves beyond communication techniques and into the awareness behind them. What does it mean to challenge directly without shutting people down? How can leaders create safety while still being clear? And how do you build a culture where feedback becomes part of growth instead of something people avoid?

If you care about leading with more clarity, giving better feedback, and building a healthier culture inside your business, this conversation is for you.

Visit blueprintos.com/assets to register for the upcoming Above The Business Quarterly.

https://blueprintos.com/assets

Learn more about Radical Candor here: https://www.radicalcandor.com/

Join the Radical Candor community: https://community.radicalcandor.com/

Connect with Amy Sandler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysandler/

Thanks to our sponsors

Coach P Consulting

Coach P found great success as an insurance agent and agency owner, leading a large and stable team of top-performing professionals. Today, he shares the systems, delegation strategies, and specialization methods he developed along the way. Gain access to weekly training calls and mentoring at:

https://www.coachpconsulting.com

Be sure to mention you heard about it on the Above The Business Podcast.

Autopilot Recruiting

Autopilot Recruiting helps small business owners solve staffing challenges by taking the stress out of hiring. Their dedicated recruiters work on your behalf every business day. Optimizing your applicant tracking system, posting job listings, and sourcing candidates through social media and local communities. Save time, reduce hiring costs, and receive pre-screened candidates without paying traditional hiring fees or commissions.

https://www.autopilotrecruiting.com

Mention Above The Business Podcast when you reach out.

Direct Clicks

Direct Clicks is built by business owners, for business owners. They specialize in custom marketing solutions that drive real results. From paid search campaigns to SEO and social media management, they provide comprehensive digital marketing support to help your business grow.

Exclusive offer for listeners:

https://directclicksinc.com/abovethebusiness

Get a free marketing campaign audit where their team reviews your website, social media, SEO, content, and paid advertising, then provides actionable recommendations. If you partner with them, all setup fees will be waived.

About Above The Business

Above The Business is hosted by Bradley Hamner, founder of BlueprintOS, and focuses on helping small business owners transition from Rainmaker to Architect by building systems, teams, and operations that scale without their constant involvement.