Bob Sutton
@bobsutton.net
Organizational psychologist, NYT bestelling author, and Professor Emeritus at Stanford. My 8 books include Good Boss Bad Boss, Scaling Up Excellence, The No Asshole Rule, The Knowing-Doing Gap, and now, The Friction Project. https://www.bobsutton.net
Pinned
Bob Sutton
@bobsutton.net
· Mar 6
"The Friction Project" has been my main mission for 8 years
The key lesson from my book with Huggy Rao:
The best leaders are TRUSTEES OF OTHERS TIME, friction fixers with the will and skill to make the right things easier and the wrong things harder for others
www.amazon.com/dp/125028441...
The key lesson from my book with Huggy Rao:
The best leaders are TRUSTEES OF OTHERS TIME, friction fixers with the will and skill to make the right things easier and the wrong things harder for others
www.amazon.com/dp/125028441...
Reposted by Bob Sutton
We are losing our humanity. I am searching for an antidote -- and I need your help. My column about my new @washingtonpost.com column. Gift link. wapo.st/472i9Gz
Opinion | We are losing our humanity. I am searching for an antidote.
The challenge of our time is to recover what we have lost: in nature, and in our communities.
wapo.st
July 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We are losing our humanity. I am searching for an antidote -- and I need your help. My column about my new @washingtonpost.com column. Gift link. wapo.st/472i9Gz
"When you throw shit at other people, some always end up on you in the process." Advice I got from a wise lawyer long ago. I am reminding myself of it more and more these days, as the vicious circle of angry times and ease of insulting and demeaning others on social media is so tempting to join.
October 30, 2025 at 6:05 PM
"When you throw shit at other people, some always end up on you in the process." Advice I got from a wise lawyer long ago. I am reminding myself of it more and more these days, as the vicious circle of angry times and ease of insulting and demeaning others on social media is so tempting to join.
Scam alert to friends. If you get an email from a Hotmail address "from" me, it is a scam. I do not have a Hotmail email, do not have cancer, and did not get 250K from the "The Administration of Federal Benefits." I am fine. Delete the email--and don't give them any personal information.
October 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Scam alert to friends. If you get an email from a Hotmail address "from" me, it is a scam. I do not have a Hotmail email, do not have cancer, and did not get 250K from the "The Administration of Federal Benefits." I am fine. Delete the email--and don't give them any personal information.
Reposted by Bob Sutton
🎙️ NEW CASBS PODCAST EPISODE
Colin Camerer: Econ's Neurovisionary
@sweiwang.bsky.social chats w/@cfcamerer.bsky.social on his work on the neuroeconomics of habit formation, building & scaling behavioral models, & neuroscience as a wide-open field for economists
🎧 casbs.stanford.edu/podcast#coli...
Colin Camerer: Econ's Neurovisionary
@sweiwang.bsky.social chats w/@cfcamerer.bsky.social on his work on the neuroeconomics of habit formation, building & scaling behavioral models, & neuroscience as a wide-open field for economists
🎧 casbs.stanford.edu/podcast#coli...
October 2, 2025 at 9:50 PM
🎙️ NEW CASBS PODCAST EPISODE
Colin Camerer: Econ's Neurovisionary
@sweiwang.bsky.social chats w/@cfcamerer.bsky.social on his work on the neuroeconomics of habit formation, building & scaling behavioral models, & neuroscience as a wide-open field for economists
🎧 casbs.stanford.edu/podcast#coli...
Colin Camerer: Econ's Neurovisionary
@sweiwang.bsky.social chats w/@cfcamerer.bsky.social on his work on the neuroeconomics of habit formation, building & scaling behavioral models, & neuroscience as a wide-open field for economists
🎧 casbs.stanford.edu/podcast#coli...
Got a pitch from a company that provides Amazon reviews to authors that pay them. I don't know if this is legal or not (they say it is), but ain't kosher. I guess you can buy anything! This is the company: www.manuscripped.com
Home | Manuscripped LLC
www.manuscripped.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Got a pitch from a company that provides Amazon reviews to authors that pay them. I don't know if this is legal or not (they say it is), but ain't kosher. I guess you can buy anything! This is the company: www.manuscripped.com
I was delighted to be interviewed by Dan McGinn, Harvard Business Review's editor, for this retrospective on my 2009 HBR piece "How to Be a Good Boss in a Bad Economy" (2009).
My evidence-based advice for making painful workplace changes humanely-- in good times and bad.
hbr.org/2025/07/qa-p...
My evidence-based advice for making painful workplace changes humanely-- in good times and bad.
hbr.org/2025/07/qa-p...
Q&A: Professor Robert Sutton on Communicating Difficult Decisions as a Leader
In today’s uncertain economy, leaders must navigate the delicate task of delivering bad news, such as layoffs or project cancellations, with empathy and transparency. Robert Sutton’s framework, origin...
hbr.org
August 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I was delighted to be interviewed by Dan McGinn, Harvard Business Review's editor, for this retrospective on my 2009 HBR piece "How to Be a Good Boss in a Bad Economy" (2009).
My evidence-based advice for making painful workplace changes humanely-- in good times and bad.
hbr.org/2025/07/qa-p...
My evidence-based advice for making painful workplace changes humanely-- in good times and bad.
hbr.org/2025/07/qa-p...
"Botholes" is my proposed to term for AI tools (such as AI assistants) that are massively efficient at wasting other peoples' time, nagging them incessantly, or otherwise acting like rude and selfish humans.
July 31, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"Botholes" is my proposed to term for AI tools (such as AI assistants) that are massively efficient at wasting other peoples' time, nagging them incessantly, or otherwise acting like rude and selfish humans.
Great to see this new research Fabrizio...that stars often aren't as "portable" as it seems. Your findings also remind me of related research that, for leaders, shows promoting from within results in better performance than hiring those (often dazzling) external candidates.
Honored to see our research with Matteo Prato cited in @economist.com AI talent war article. We found hiring “stars” can actually hurt team performance—especially for non-stars—as stars often absorb more resources than they share.
www.economist.com/business/202...
doi.org/10.1287/orsc...
www.economist.com/business/202...
doi.org/10.1287/orsc...
Are superstars as good when they move jobs?
The AI-talent scramble raises an old question
www.economist.com
July 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Great to see this new research Fabrizio...that stars often aren't as "portable" as it seems. Your findings also remind me of related research that, for leaders, shows promoting from within results in better performance than hiring those (often dazzling) external candidates.
Some advice from the late great Warren Bennis: "Don't take a job at a place where the best you can be is a perfect imitation of those who came before you."
He said that to me 40+ years ago, seems as pertinent as ever.
He said that to me 40+ years ago, seems as pertinent as ever.
July 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Some advice from the late great Warren Bennis: "Don't take a job at a place where the best you can be is a perfect imitation of those who came before you."
He said that to me 40+ years ago, seems as pertinent as ever.
He said that to me 40+ years ago, seems as pertinent as ever.
Check out this nuanced argument on why our institutions are under siege and options for repairing them.
I was surprised to learn Marshall McLuhan believed that becoming a global village would unleash unprecedented tribalism and violence. He might have been right!
digitaltonto.com/2025/the-end...
I was surprised to learn Marshall McLuhan believed that becoming a global village would unleash unprecedented tribalism and violence. He might have been right!
digitaltonto.com/2025/the-end...
The End of History All Over Again… | Digital Tonto
Before 1789 the world was ruled by the divine right of kings and the feudal system. Yet that year would prove to be an inflection point. The American Constitution the French Revolution and the first I...
digitaltonto.com
June 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Check out this nuanced argument on why our institutions are under siege and options for repairing them.
I was surprised to learn Marshall McLuhan believed that becoming a global village would unleash unprecedented tribalism and violence. He might have been right!
digitaltonto.com/2025/the-end...
I was surprised to learn Marshall McLuhan believed that becoming a global village would unleash unprecedented tribalism and violence. He might have been right!
digitaltonto.com/2025/the-end...
“Interdependence is the reason why nothing comes out quite the way one wants it to.”
I was thinking of this wonderful old line by Jeff Pfeffer and the late Jerry Salancik as I declined an invite to join an interesting group.
I was thinking of this wonderful old line by Jeff Pfeffer and the late Jerry Salancik as I declined an invite to join an interesting group.
June 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
“Interdependence is the reason why nothing comes out quite the way one wants it to.”
I was thinking of this wonderful old line by Jeff Pfeffer and the late Jerry Salancik as I declined an invite to join an interesting group.
I was thinking of this wonderful old line by Jeff Pfeffer and the late Jerry Salancik as I declined an invite to join an interesting group.
I love talking with @ericries.bsky.social. Eric wrote the blockbuster "The Lean Startup", launched Long-Term Stock Exchange , and so much more. We both believe companies can thrive financially and innovate, and treat employees and customers well, at the same time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Zc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Zc...
The playbook for fixing toxic culture, pointless friction and broken systems | Bob Sutton (Stanford)
YouTube video by The Eric Ries Show
www.youtube.com
June 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I love talking with @ericries.bsky.social. Eric wrote the blockbuster "The Lean Startup", launched Long-Term Stock Exchange , and so much more. We both believe companies can thrive financially and innovate, and treat employees and customers well, at the same time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Zc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Zc...
Are you worried about turning into bad boss? Are you struggling with a boss who is nasty, incompetent, or both? Jamie Woolf and Dr. Christopher Bell have a wonderful new TEDx talk on such things. Join us for a watch party on June 18th at 930 AM PT. Here's the link:
us06web.zoom.us/j/8488163408...
us06web.zoom.us/j/8488163408...
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.
us06web.zoom.us
June 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Are you worried about turning into bad boss? Are you struggling with a boss who is nasty, incompetent, or both? Jamie Woolf and Dr. Christopher Bell have a wonderful new TEDx talk on such things. Join us for a watch party on June 18th at 930 AM PT. Here's the link:
us06web.zoom.us/j/8488163408...
us06web.zoom.us/j/8488163408...
Most amusing take I've seen on the on the tit-for-tat spat between Elon and Trump.
This guy consistently posts songs with incredible lyrics mere hours after events unfurl. This was a good one.
June 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Most amusing take I've seen on the on the tit-for-tat spat between Elon and Trump.
I love talking with @ericries.bsky.social. We both believe that capitalism and caring about people (rather than acting like a selfish asshole) are compatible and desirable goals.
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by @bobsutton.net, organizational psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of several influential books on leadership, behavior, and workplace culture, including his latest: The Friction Project.
June 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I love talking with @ericries.bsky.social. We both believe that capitalism and caring about people (rather than acting like a selfish asshole) are compatible and desirable goals.
Reposted by Bob Sutton
The most important part of an apology is not saying sorry. It's taking responsibility for what you did wrong and taking action to make it right.
Admitting mistakes doesn’t mean you're a bad person. It's an effort to be a better person—and a display of care for another person.
link.chtbl.com/RTAdam
Admitting mistakes doesn’t mean you're a bad person. It's an effort to be a better person—and a display of care for another person.
link.chtbl.com/RTAdam
May 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The most important part of an apology is not saying sorry. It's taking responsibility for what you did wrong and taking action to make it right.
Admitting mistakes doesn’t mean you're a bad person. It's an effort to be a better person—and a display of care for another person.
link.chtbl.com/RTAdam
Admitting mistakes doesn’t mean you're a bad person. It's an effort to be a better person—and a display of care for another person.
link.chtbl.com/RTAdam
Thanks to the multi-talented VR Ferose for his kind summary of the gathering that my friends including @sarahsoule.bsky.social and @decelles.bsky.social organized for me at @casbsstanford.bsky.social a few weeks ago
ferosevr.medium.com/the-asshole-...
ferosevr.medium.com/the-asshole-...
The “Asshole Guy” Who Isn’t — A Tribute to Stanford Prof. Bob Sutton
It takes an unusual human being to write a book titled The No Asshole Rule. It takes an exceptional one to live by it. Professor Robert…
ferosevr.medium.com
May 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Thanks to the multi-talented VR Ferose for his kind summary of the gathering that my friends including @sarahsoule.bsky.social and @decelles.bsky.social organized for me at @casbsstanford.bsky.social a few weeks ago
ferosevr.medium.com/the-asshole-...
ferosevr.medium.com/the-asshole-...
The wise @pahlkadot.bsky.social uses this slide with "Hill staffers who ask me what they should do to improve the performance of an underperforming agency." The key contrast is "something is wrong with these people" vs. "something is wrong with this system." Friction-fixers are system-fixers!
May 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The wise @pahlkadot.bsky.social uses this slide with "Hill staffers who ask me what they should do to improve the performance of an underperforming agency." The key contrast is "something is wrong with these people" vs. "something is wrong with this system." Friction-fixers are system-fixers!
Reposted by Bob Sutton
Awesome hosting CASBS fellow @decelles.bsky.social for a CASBS podcast recording. Fmr fellow & Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist @johnmarkoff.bsky.social chatted w/Katy on topics engaging her research on organizational design, human interactions & behavior
We'll publish the episode in a few months!
We'll publish the episode in a few months!
May 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Awesome hosting CASBS fellow @decelles.bsky.social for a CASBS podcast recording. Fmr fellow & Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist @johnmarkoff.bsky.social chatted w/Katy on topics engaging her research on organizational design, human interactions & behavior
We'll publish the episode in a few months!
We'll publish the episode in a few months!
My friend Ferose just taught me a phrase, a goal, that I keep rolling over in my mind. That much good can be done for the human spirit by striving to make things "Unnecessarily Beautiful." Makes me think of Steve Jobs, Enzo Ferrari, Joni Mitchell, and the late Bill Moggridge (IDEO co-founder).
May 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
My friend Ferose just taught me a phrase, a goal, that I keep rolling over in my mind. That much good can be done for the human spirit by striving to make things "Unnecessarily Beautiful." Makes me think of Steve Jobs, Enzo Ferrari, Joni Mitchell, and the late Bill Moggridge (IDEO co-founder).
Ah. Love the science of assholes. There is a lot of serious research on bullshit too.
What makes people assholes?
Fascinating research by @dyudkin.bsky.social et al of 370k everyday moral dilemmas on Reddit's “Am I the Asshole?” reveals
→ 29 types of dilemma
→ relational obligations most common
→ dishonesty most often condemned
→…and much more!
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Fascinating research by @dyudkin.bsky.social et al of 370k everyday moral dilemmas on Reddit's “Am I the Asshole?” reveals
→ 29 types of dilemma
→ relational obligations most common
→ dishonesty most often condemned
→…and much more!
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
May 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Ah. Love the science of assholes. There is a lot of serious research on bullshit too.
Ah, the roach motels are still open. Checking in is easy, checking out mighty hard. An ordeal of many clicks and trick questions. Why I won’t try a trial subscription to @economist.com. Last time, it was so hard to end. Note @netflix.com does this right. #frictionproject
The FTC has delayed enforcement of its new click-to-cancel rule, which aimed to make it easier for consumers to end unwanted subscriptions.
You'll stay stuck in unwanted subscriptions for 2 more months after the FTC delayed its new click-to-cancel rule
The FTC has delayed enforcement of its new click-to-cancel rule, which aimed to make it easier for consumers to end unwanted subscriptions.
www.businessinsider.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Ah, the roach motels are still open. Checking in is easy, checking out mighty hard. An ordeal of many clicks and trick questions. Why I won’t try a trial subscription to @economist.com. Last time, it was so hard to end. Note @netflix.com does this right. #frictionproject
It was humbling to be honored by @casbsstanford.bsky.social, a beautiful behavioral science think tank where I spent three sabbatical years
Thank you to my friends and family for gathering to celebrate--it was so fun and so touching.
Something I will always savor
www.linkedin.com/posts/casbs-...
Thank you to my friends and family for gathering to celebrate--it was so fun and so touching.
Something I will always savor
www.linkedin.com/posts/casbs-...
On Thursday, May 8, a festive crowd gathered at CASBS to celebrate Bob… | CASBS at Stanford
On Thursday, May 8, a festive crowd gathered at CASBS to celebrate Bob Sutton, three-time CASBS fellow (1986-87, 1994-95, 2002-03). Friends of Bob raised funds to forever endow CASBS study #11, now ma...
www.linkedin.com
May 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM
It was humbling to be honored by @casbsstanford.bsky.social, a beautiful behavioral science think tank where I spent three sabbatical years
Thank you to my friends and family for gathering to celebrate--it was so fun and so touching.
Something I will always savor
www.linkedin.com/posts/casbs-...
Thank you to my friends and family for gathering to celebrate--it was so fun and so touching.
Something I will always savor
www.linkedin.com/posts/casbs-...
Yes U.S. Govt has much sludge + waste. No cruelty, impatience, incompetence, opaqueness ain’t the way to do it
The @financialtimes.com unpacks DOGE’s ineffectiveness, damage, + excessive claims by children’s crusade that powers it
Seems it will cost more than it saves—and destroy vital capacity
The @financialtimes.com unpacks DOGE’s ineffectiveness, damage, + excessive claims by children’s crusade that powers it
Seems it will cost more than it saves—and destroy vital capacity
May 14, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Yes U.S. Govt has much sludge + waste. No cruelty, impatience, incompetence, opaqueness ain’t the way to do it
The @financialtimes.com unpacks DOGE’s ineffectiveness, damage, + excessive claims by children’s crusade that powers it
Seems it will cost more than it saves—and destroy vital capacity
The @financialtimes.com unpacks DOGE’s ineffectiveness, damage, + excessive claims by children’s crusade that powers it
Seems it will cost more than it saves—and destroy vital capacity
Question for organizational scholars: Does the fast, deep, & scary impact of Trump's reign undermine arguments "the impact of leadership on performance overrated?"
Or, as Jim March speculated, perhaps leaders are like light bulbs: They all work pretty much the same unless you pick a broken one!
Or, as Jim March speculated, perhaps leaders are like light bulbs: They all work pretty much the same unless you pick a broken one!
May 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Question for organizational scholars: Does the fast, deep, & scary impact of Trump's reign undermine arguments "the impact of leadership on performance overrated?"
Or, as Jim March speculated, perhaps leaders are like light bulbs: They all work pretty much the same unless you pick a broken one!
Or, as Jim March speculated, perhaps leaders are like light bulbs: They all work pretty much the same unless you pick a broken one!