Empowering workplaces

Just Work

By Kim Scott

I don’t usually pick up books with curse words in the title, but Kim Scott has proven herself with effective strategies for leading and managing in her preceding work called Radical Candor. I often find myself discussing feedback with other leaders and going back to the strategies in Radical Candor during those discussions.

Her new book is “Just Work: Get Sh*t Done, Fast & Fair.” The underlining theme is to understand and eliminate injustices in the workplace. The strategies and tips are one good reason to pick up the book. I also wanted to read this book to gain a perspective I don’t have. I haven’t faced the struggles and pressures that face women, minorities, and underprivileged people in the workplace. The book hit me with discomfort as Scott shared her view of what she faced as a young woman trying to make it in the business world. This discomfort is part of what I wanted to experience.

I suspect there will be two types of reactions to this book:

1. Those that gain a perspective and try to eliminate injustice in their workplaces, or…
2. Those that find common ground because they have faced the same injustices discussed in the book.

(I suppose there could be a third reaction of indifference or even intentional disregard. But people with that attitude probably won’t read the book.)

You should be a better leader, coworker, and citizen regardless of your position before reading “Just Work.”

The key takeaways from the book include:

1. Identify and Understand Workplace Injustices: The book highlights the importance of understanding the different types of workplace injustices – bias, prejudice, and bullying. These terms aren’t interchangeable; each has a specific definition and impact.
2. How to understand underlying problems and decide on a course of action: action plans will differ, but there are various strategies to combat injustices.
3. How to understand your role. Scott discusses different roles involved in acts of injustice: the source, the recipient, and the bystander (and says we should be upstanders).
4. The important role of leadership: Scott underlines the role of leadership in setting the tone for workplace culture. Leaders can make significant changes to the workplace environment by modeling appropriate behavior, creating inclusive policies, and responding effectively to instances of bias, prejudice, and bullying.

“Just Work” by Kim Scott is a guide to creating equitable and efficient workplaces by identifying and addressing bias, prejudice, and bullying. Scott emphasizes the importance of bystander intervention and leadership responsibility in transforming workplace culture and ensuring everyone feels valued and respected.