Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

by Kim Scott
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Business and Economics
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 3513
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781250258403
  • Published: 2019-09-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Radical Candor is a guide to building better relationships at work through honest, direct feedback. Kim Scott, a former executive at Google and Apple, shares her insights on how to care personally while challenging directly, creating a culture of openness and trust. The book is filled with practical advice and real-world examples that demonstrate the power of radical candor in action. It's not just about giving feedback; it's about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and heard, leading to better performance and stronger teams. Scott's approach is rooted in her own experiences and those of other successful leaders. She argues that radical candor is not about being harsh or critical, but about showing that you care enough to push people to be their best. The book also includes guidance on how to receive feedback graciously and use it to grow professionally. Whether you're a manager, a team member, or an entrepreneur, Radical Candor offers valuable lessons on how to communicate effectively and build stronger, more productive relationships.

Reviews
The Wave Engineer · 2025-06-16
transformative 4.50

The book has significantly changed how the reviewer thinks about feedback. They have revisited it multiple times throughout their career.

The reviewer found the book to be transformative in their approach to feedback. They mention that after reading it several times throughout their career, they have realized they typically fall into certain patterns when giving feedback. This realization has helped them improve their communication and leadership skills. The book's practical advice and real-world examples make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their feedback practices. The reviewer appreciates the book's emphasis on being kind and clear at the same time, which is a key takeaway for them.

Quick quotes

    That book completely changed how I think about feedback.

    After reading it several times throughout my career, I've realized I typically fall ...

    Using Radical Candor—avoiding the perils of Obnoxious Aggression, Manipulative Insincerity, and Ruinous Empathy—you can be kind and clear at the same time.

Benjamin Travis Blog · 2021-08-10
impactful 4.75

The book is considered the most impactful read on people management. It offers highly relevant advice for anyone interested in the field.

The reviewer highly recommends this book for anyone interested in people management. They found it to be the most impactful book they have read on the subject. The book's advice is highly relevant and practical, making it a valuable resource for both new and experienced managers. The reviewer appreciates the book's focus on practical suggestions and real-world examples, which make the concepts easy to understand and apply. Overall, the book is seen as a must-read for anyone looking to improve their management skills and become a more effective leader.

Quick quotes

    Over the past couple years, I've enjoyed learning about people management, and the most impactful book I've read so far has been Kim Scott's ...

    The advice is highly relevant to anyone ...

    I was really impressed by Radical Candor.

Medium - 5min Columns · 2021-01-01
insightful 4.00

The book emphasizes the importance of bosses in achieving results but highlights that they need collaboration. It starts with a well-known truism that bosses are ultimately responsible for results.

The reviewer appreciates the book's focus on the crucial role of bosses in achieving results. They highlight that the book starts with a well-known truism: bosses are ultimately responsible for results. However, the book also emphasizes that bosses cannot achieve these results alone and need the collaboration and support of their team. This perspective resonates with the reviewer, who finds it a valuable insight for anyone in a leadership position. The book's practical advice and engaging stories make it a compelling read for those looking to improve their management skills.

Quick quotes

    This book starts with a well-known truism that bosses are ultimately responsible for results.

    But bosses are not able to achieve results just by themselves.

    This book is packed with illuminating truths, insightful advice, and practical suggestions.

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