(00:01:35) The No Asshole Rule Origin Story
(00:07:02) Layoffs Done Right (And Wrong)
(00:11:16) Good Friction vs. Bad Friction
(00:16:23) Building Emotional Trust
(00:24:58) The Asshole Survival Guide: 4 Ways to Deal
(00:29:50) Certified vs. Clueless Assholes
(00:33:47) It Happens at the Listener’s Ear
(00:38:59) Decision-Making, Simplicity & Reversibility
(00:46:15) Gossip as a Strategic Tool
(00:52:03) Fixing Friction at Stanford
(00:55:54) Where to Find Bob Sutton
(00:56:50) Conclusion
Being the boss isn’t about power trips—it’s about leaving your jerk card at the door.
Turns out, surviving the workplace often comes down to one simple rule: don’t be an asshole. Kim Scott and Amy Sandler sit down with Stanford’s Bob Sutton, author of The No Asshole Rule and The Friction Project, to talk about how real leadership means treating people like people, not just cogs in a machine. Bob gets straight to the point about why toxic behavior kills productivity, how organizational “friction” can be both helpful and harmful, and what it takes to build teams that fight fair and thrive together. They also tackle why efficient isn’t always effective, how to spot—and stop—assholes before they do lasting damage, and why the best bosses aren’t afraid to show up with both candor and care. As Kim puts it, sometimes it’s better to have a hole than an asshole. Whether you're leading a team or just trying to survive one, this conversation is your reminder that treating people with decency is never optional—and if you're stuck choosing between keeping an asshole or leaving a hole, always go with the hole.
Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
- Radical Friction: The Editor/Author Relationship
- Books | Bob Sutton
- Work Matters | Bob Sutton
- How To Get A Radically Candid Boss | Radical Candor Podcast 3 | 12
- Don't Let A Bad Boss Derail You | Radical Candor Podcast 6 | 18
- Are Assholes More Effective? Bob Sutton Weighs In
Connect:
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim and Amy introduce Stanford Professor Emeritus Bob Sutton.
(00:
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