Kim Scott author photo
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Kim Scott

Kim Scott is an American author, executive coach, and former Apple and Google executive who writes about management, feedback, and workplace culture. She is best known for Radical Candor and Just Work; Radical Candor became a widely used leadership guide and has been translated into more than 20 languages.

Biography & Author's Journey

Kim Scott grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where novels were her first intellectual attachment long before management became her subject. At Princeton she studied Slavic literature, channeling an early fascination with the Cold War into work on nuclear-war scenarios and then, after graduation, into post-Soviet Russia. In Moscow she did research, worked at an investment fund, and helped start a diamond-cutting factory, an experience that convinced her that management was not mainly about money but about whether people believed their boss cared about their lives and safety. She later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and also managed a pediatric clinic in Kosovo. ((https://paw.princeton.edu/article/work-management-kim-scott-indeed-radical-candor))

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Quotes

quote
No, I hate giving feedback. That's why I wrote the book
-TED Podcast: Why Kim Scott thinks you need to ask for feedback
quote
People don’t only suck. They can always get better
-TED Podcast: Why Kim Scott thinks you need to ask for feedback
quote
Don't dish it out before you prove you can take it
-TED Podcast: Why Kim Scott thinks you need to ask for feedback
quote
You wanna make sure that you're listening with the intent to understand, not to respond
-TED Podcast: Why Kim Scott thinks you need to ask for feedback
quote
Radical Candor gets measured not at the speaker’s mouth, but at the listener’s ear
-How to Use the Radical Candor Framework
quote
Giving immediate feedback is one of the most important things a manager can do
-Don't Save It Up
quote
Feedback should be a conversation, not a monologue
-A Letter to a Young Employee
quote
You don't have to be passionate about your job
-The Problem With Passion

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Culture, Leadership & Mindfulness
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Culture, Leadership & Mindfulness

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Learn Scandinavian management
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Scandinavian management practices have consistently produced some of the world's most innovative companies and highest employee satisfaction rates. This learning plan is ideal for leaders, managers, and organizational designers who want to move beyond traditional hierarchical models toward more human-centered, trust-based approaches. Whether you're transforming an existing organization or building a new one, these Nordic principles offer proven frameworks for creating engaged, productive, and sustainable workplaces.

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Social Skills, Gender, Tech & Innovation
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Social Skills, Gender, Tech & Innovation

In an era where technical skill must meet human-centric leadership, this plan bridges the gap between social intelligence and digital innovation. It is ideal for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs looking to foster inclusive, tech-forward cultures while mastering the art of modern communication.

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Mastering Human Behavior, Tech & Leadership
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Mastering Human Behavior, Tech & Leadership

In an era of rapid digital shift, success requires a blend of psychological insight and technical fluency. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and tech managers who want to master the intersection of human behavior, digital strategy, and organizational culture.

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Tech, Culture, Business & Personal Growth
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Tech, Culture, Business & Personal Growth

In an era of rapid digital shift, success requires a blend of technical fluency, strategic business acumen, and strong interpersonal leadership. This plan is designed for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs who want to master both the hard skills of digital business and the soft skills of culture-building and personal growth.

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Stephen Kelly
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This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and organizational excellence, offering a multidisciplinary approach to modern management. It is ideal for aspiring leaders and professionals seeking to master the complex human dynamics of global teams.

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Community Voices

"Kim Scott has a well-earned reputation as a kickass boss and a voice that CEOs take seriously"

Daniel Pink

"In this powerful and perceptive book, Kim Scott offers a bold vision - a workplace where respect and collaboration prevail over domination and conformity"

Daniel H. Pink

"Kim Scott is one of Silicon Valley’s most respected leadership experts"

Robert Glazer

"Kim Scott’s insights will help you be a better leader and create a more effective organization"

Sheryl Sandberg

"Kim Scott carefully explains how bias, prejudice and bullying undermine all organizations—even those with the best of intentions"

Henry Louis Gates Jr

"From lessons she learned the hard way, Kim Scott presents a practical framework for how to make work more just"

Gretchen Rubin

"Kim Scott knows what makes a good boss"

CNBC

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