In "Radical Candor: How to Be a Kick-Ass Boss without Losing Your Humanity," author Kim Scott presents a management philosophy centered around the idea of "caring while challenging directly." She suggests that great leaders show compassion towards their team members while also having the courage to provide honest feedback. According to Scott, this approach helps build trust and inspire improved performance. Managers who follow this approach cultivate a positive team dynamic.

Scott was a highly successful leader at Google before moving to Apple, where she developed and taught a management class. Since the original publication of Radical Candor in 2017, she has earned international fame with her approach to effective leadership. She co-founded the Radical Candor executive education company, which helps companies put the book's philosophy into practice.

This is a new edition, which has been fully revised and updated with new information, a new preface, and afterword.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section delves into the concept of Radical Candor, explaining its two core dimensions; "Caring Personally" and "Challenging Directly." Scott uses her experiences, along with anecdotes from notable companies like Google and Apple, to illustrate this concept. The second section offers advice on implementing Radical Candor in day to day management practices covering areas such as giving and receiving feedback, team building, decision making, and conflict resolution.

Scott’s writing style is interesting and easy to understand, making the book an enjoyable read. She offers advice that can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are new to management or struggling with team dynamics and communication challenges. The real-life examples from her experience in both tech startups and large corporations bring the concepts to life, making the advice more relatable.

The book seems to belabor some points and it could have presented the main idea more concisely. Scott provides numerous examples from the tech industry but it may require some effort to apply these principles to different business environments or unique work settings.

In general "Radical Candor" is an interesting and worthwhile read for those looking to enhance their management skills and navigate workplace relationships more effectively. Its central message – that successful management involves finding a balance between caring personally and challenging directly – serves as a powerful reminder, for all leaders.