A solid and substantial read, this book will give you the tools and confidence you need to be an effective manager.

Ever heard the phrase “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? Well, if you’re a leader, Kim Scott says, you should forget all about it. 

Instead, the author – a former manager at Google and Apple – recommends the ‘radical candor’ method, a form of ‘optimal management’ she has personally developed. 

“Radical candor is the sweet spot between managers who are obnoxiously aggressive on one side and ruinously empathetic on the other,” the book explains. “It’s about providing guidance, which involves a mix of praise as well as criticism – delivered to produce better results and help employees achieve.”

It’s all about developing a solid relationship with your workers, Kim says, while outlining three basic ways to do this: “make it personal, get (sh)it done, and understand why it matters”. 

If you’re struggling with being a manager, this is the book for you. It delves into years of Scott’s experience and gives you actionable tips to follow for success at the office and a better working environment.

Many people say you won’t be the same after reading it – and that’s a good thing.