When to use this combo
You need to give feedback that's genuinely helpful, not watered-down niceness or harsh criticism. You want to care personally while challenging directly — and you want to make sure you're not attributing malice to what might be a simple misunderstanding.
Is this combo right for you?
Use this combo if you're someone who cares deeply about people AND about results, and you refuse to choose between the two. You believe the kindest thing you can do is tell the truth. If you hate both "brutal honesty" (which is often just brutality) and "ruinous empathy" (which avoids the real issue), this combo matches your instinct.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Start with Hanlon's Razor — before giving feedback, check: "Am I assuming bad intent when this could be explained by ignorance, misunderstanding, or different context?" Most problems aren't caused by malice.
Frame your feedback using Radical Candor — care personally (show you're invested in the person's growth) while challenging directly (don't sugarcoat the issue). Avoid the traps of Obnoxious Aggression and Ruinous Empathy.
Structure the specific feedback with SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) — describe the exact situation, the observable behavior, and the impact it had. This keeps feedback concrete and unchallengeable.