Radical Candor

Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

By: Kim Scott

Narrated by: Kim Scott

Find the fully revised and updated edition of Radical Candor on Audible.

Now a New York Times best seller

This program is read by the author.

From the time we learn to speak, we're told that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. When you become a manager, it's your job to say it - and your obligation.

Author Kim Scott was an executive at Google and then at Apple, where she developed a class on how to be a good boss. She has earned growing fame in recent years with her vital new approach to effective management, Radical Candor.

Radical Candor is a simple idea: to be a good boss, you have to Care Personally at the same time that you Challenge Directly. When you challenge without caring its obnoxious aggression; when you care without challenging its ruinous empathy. When you do neither its manipulative insincerity.

This simple framework can help you build better relationships at work, and fulfill your three key responsibilities as a leader: creating a culture of feedback (praise and criticism), building a cohesive team, and achieving results you're all proud of.

Radical Candor offers a guide to those bewildered or exhausted by management, written for bosses and those who manage bosses. Taken from years of the author's experience, and distilled clearly giving actionable lessons to the listener; it shows managers how to be successful while retaining their humanity, finding meaning in their job, and creating an environment where people both love their work and their colleagues.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2017 Kim Scott (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Radical Candor is packed with illuminating truths, insightful advice, and practical suggestions, all illustrated with engaging (and often funny) stories from Kim Scott's own experiences at places like Apple, Google, and various start-ups. Indispensable." (Gretchen Rubin, author of New York Times best seller The Happiness Project)

"Reading Radical Candor will help you build, lead, and inspire teams to do the best work of their lives. Kim Scott's insights...will help you be a better leader and create a more effective organization." (Sheryl Sandberg, author of the New York Times best seller Lean In)

"Kim Scott has a well-earned reputation as a kick-ass boss and a voice that CEOs take seriously. In this remarkable book, she draws on her extensive experience to provide clear and honest guidance on the fundamentals of leading others: how to give (and receive) feedback, how to make smart decisions, how to keep moving forward, and much more. If you manage people - whether it be 1 person or a 1,000 - you need Radical Candor. Now." (Daniel Pink author of New York Times best seller Drive)

Leadership Practices that Everyone Should Know

As a young leader I was looking for guidance on how to give difficult feedback, so I listened to this book. I have gotten so much more out of it. This is about building a culture of caring and direct feedback that in return acts as the foundation of a strong team. Everyone, not only leaders, should read/listen to this book. While Kim's experiences are in valuable and I am so grateful that she chose to share them with the world, I really had to push past her narration. Specifically, the tone of her voice and cadence of speech was difficult for me enjoy. I increased to 1.5 speed and it helped a lot.

Great Material, Suffers From Author's Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Radical Candor to be better than the print version?

I've never read the print version but I always have much better retention with listening than reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There really were no "characters" per se. It was a business/personal development book.

What didn’t you like about Kim Scott’s performance?

Very grating, monotone delivery. It would have benefited greatly from a professional female narrator because the material was excellent and well organized.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

N/A

Awesome + Applicable

Would you listen to Radical Candor again? Why?

Absolutely. In fact, I'm planning on it. It is packed with great insight backed up by clear examples. Wonderful storytelling and perspective. Kim killed it.

Great insights for the modern manager.

nice fresh new approach two management in the modern era. Lots of great simple easy to understand tips that are very implementable. definitely worth the read.

great book! very insightful perspective

great book! love it. sped up the audio by .25 to make it go by quickly and still sounded natural. I enjoy the many stories the author told and the breakdowns of how to implement. she kept it to the point and got all her ideas across well. I plan to read it again and think it will help me with some blockers I've been feeling at work.