Bob Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford and bestselling author, discusses how to become a 'friction-fixer' in the workplace. He emphasizes the importance of empathetic leadership and being a better listener. Sutton reveals surprising benefits of inconvenience and how being perceived as boring can actually strengthen leadership. The conversation touches on navigating tough decisions and fostering healthy dialogue among teams, challenging conventional approaches to organizational dynamics.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Experience Inconvenience
Leaders should occasionally experience the inconveniences their team or customers face.
This helps them understand the problems and make better decisions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Home Depot's Supply Chain
Carl Liebert, when at Home Depot, worked night shifts to understand supply chain problems.
He discovered that incomplete boxes from suppliers caused inventory issues, costing the company money.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Questions vs. Statements
Leaders should track their ratio of questions to statements in meetings.
Asking more questions fosters better communication and understanding within the team.
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The Asshole Survival Guide provides a methodical approach to dealing with people who cause emotional distress. It offers strategies for avoiding, outwitting, and disarming such individuals, while also helping readers develop protective psychological armor. The book emphasizes understanding different types of 'asshole' behaviors and how to maintain sanity in the face of such interactions.
The No Asshole Rule
Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
Robert Sutton
In this book, Robert I. Sutton discusses the destructive impact of 'assholes' in the workplace, providing strategies for identifying and eliminating negative influences. He introduces the concept of the 'Total Cost of Assholes' (TCA) and offers practical advice on how to build a more civilized and productive work environment. The book includes case studies from various organizations and provides a self-diagnostic test to help readers identify and manage their own behavior. Sutton also explores the difference between 'temporary' and 'certified' assholes and how to deal with each type effectively.
The Friction Project
How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder
Huggy Rao
Robert Sutton
The Friction Project by Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao focuses on the concept of friction in organizations, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects. The authors provide tools and strategies for identifying, assessing, and addressing friction, including 'friction forensics' and a 'help pyramid.' They delve into common friction troubles such as oblivious leaders, addition sickness, broken connections, jargon monoxide, and fast and frenzied people and teams. The book emphasizes the importance of leaders acting as 'friction fixers' to improve communication, cooperation, and collaboration, and to maintain a productive workplace culture[2][4][6].
Bob Sutton is an organizational psychologist and bestselling author. In this zesty conversation with Adam, Bob shares insights on how to overcome friction at work. The two also discuss steps for leaders to become better listeners, the surprising advantages of inconvenience, and why it’s better to be a boring leader than an a-hole boss. Bob’s latest book, The Friction Project, is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Worklife with Adam Grant 
