When I initially got this from NetGalley, I didn't even realize that it was a revision of Scott's Just Work from a few years ago. I've been a fan of Kim Scott since I first read Radical Candor, but Just Work did fall short for me. I found this revised edition better organized and easier to read/follow (I got a bit lost in the way that Just Work was structured), and I think the new title is way more appropriate. I like Scott's storytelling technique, which integrates stories of her own, stories from friends and colleagues, and findings from research. Overall, this revision is a big improvement on the original, though this is still very focused on gender bias (understandably, since that's Scott's experience). I get that it would be disingenuous for her to try to write as if she understands what it's like to experience other types of bias/prejudice/discrimination, but I still wish there'd been more of it in the form of stories or short interviews or something like that. I'm still glad I read it and would recommend it to managers looking to expand their understanding of bias, prejudice, and discrimination in the workplace - especially around gender.

The perfect follow-up to Radical Candor, Radical Respect should be required reading in the corporate world. I really appreciated how Kim Scott lays out the foundations of a respectful ideal and then shares real world example of these principles lived out (or lived wrong). The scripts were so helpful for attacking bias, prejudice, and bullying. Additionally, it was very helpful to see radical respect played out as both an individual contributor and as a leader.

One cool part of this book was its ability to test a persons level of radical respect. She carefully chose to highlight stories of all different kinds of people with various beliefs and backgrounds. It really tests the principle that you can respect a person without necessarily agreeing with them or being like them. This book was not shaming or judgmental; it was matter of fact and insightful. This would be a great one to read as a team at work!

I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes in life, you just need a do-over.

It's not been too long ago that "Radical Candor" author Kim Malone Scott came out with her follow-up to that book which has changed my life both personally and professionally.

I love "Radical Candor." Introduced to it by an HR person at work, I quickly devoured it and refer to it regularly to this day. I can't picture that changing.

Scott's second title, "Just Work," didn't quite click with me as much. I still gave it a 4-star review, but it definitely didn't quite land as solidly for me. At times, it felt like Scott was speaking from a place of authority she didn't really have and the book, overall, just never quite became the cohesive whole I longed for it to be.

So, here we are at "Radical respect: How to Work Together Better." For the uninitiated, this is Scott's revisiting of the material from "Just Work." While Scott might disagree with my interpretation, I see this as a "do-over." I see this as Scott getting more in touch with her very needed messaging and weaving together a different literary tapestry. The title is different, of course. The book has been more tightly edited and structured differently. It has been, as Scott openly acknowledges, substantially revised and updated.

It's brilliant.

This is the book I wanted "Just Work" to be. This is Scott speaking from her authority in a knowledgeable yet relatable way. This book is engaging from beginning to end. And yes, this is a book I will no doubt refer to again and again.

Sometimes in life, you need a do-over. I imagine Scott had time to really "listen" and to process through the material in "Just Work" and she finally "clicked." We don't always get a do-over in life, of course, but this is Scott righting some wrongs, clarifying some statements, truly speaking from her authority, and casting the net wider.

Bravo.

In "Radical Respect," Scott enthusiastically talks about creating cultures where everyone does the best work of their lives and enjoys working with one another. She creates a framework, a simple one, to help us identify obstacles to creating such a culture and shares stories from her own way. While I'd lamented that much of "Just Work" felt like Scott simply acknowledging her mistakes, "Radical Respect" finds greater balance.

Scott starts with a basic premise - organizations that optimize for collaboration and honor everyone's individuality are more successful, joyful places to work.

While I felt like "Just Work" primarily applied to CEOs and organizational leaders, "Radical Respect" feels like it belongs to anyone who wants to create the kind of workplace where everyone can thrive and work together better.

"Radical Respect" nails it and reminds me, once again, why Kim Malone Scott has become one of my favorite leadership and organizational authors.