Understanding others, having empathy and showing emotional intelligence are critical in the workplace. Many entering the workforce often haven't been prepared with the tools and techniques to effectively develop these skills in a working environment, despite them being critical for success. Read the Room shows you how to build empathy and emotional intelligence to interpret meaning, manage relationships and think critically. The transition from education to employment is one which widens the array of individuals you work with, report into and support, internally and externally. Once you understand how to work with empathy, you'll understand how to thrive in your new professional setting. You don't have to have it all figured out. Work in Progress is a series for anyone building confidence at work, whether you're stepping into a new role, switching paths or figuring things out as you go. These books help you build essential skills like speaking up, navigating setbacks and working with mentors, all without the pressure. Straightforward and practical, they make sense of the things no one teaches you, like what "professional" actually looks like. No jargon. Just real advice to help you grow with confidence, at your own pace. Because learning how to work is part of the job.

"By stepping into the shoes of bosses and stakeholders, the essence of empathy, you can turn human connection into your one of your greatest professional asset. This is an essential practical guide for building authentic bonds and navigating workplace dynamics across the entire work ecosystem." - Professor Kenneth Lee, Loughborough Business School and former Head of Equity Research (EMEA), Barclays Capital

"Read the Room is an essential blueprint for navigating the workplace ecosystem. It provides a systematic and practical toolkit every early career professional needs to build trust and empathise with colleagues, managers and stakeholders from day one. A must-read foundation for your long-term professional future!" - Jessica Noon, Recruiting Manager, Google

"In this practical, thoughtful guide, Barnaby Mollett shows us how we can all be more empathetic at work. Read the Room is essential reading, whether you're just starting out, or mid-way through your career. Mollett gives us a toolkit that will make us better colleagues, better leaders and, ultimately, better people." - Lewis Humphreys, Associate Director (Careers), University College London