

Geoffrey Cohen: The Science Of Creating Connection And Bridging Divides
Oct 14, 2022
In this engaging discussion, Geoffrey Cohen, a Stanford professor and author of 'Belonging,' dives into the critical role of social belonging in combating workplace isolation. He explores how leaders can foster emotional connections in hybrid settings to boost engagement and performance. The conversation highlights the importance of politeness in building relationships and understanding the impacts of leadership styles on group dynamics. Cohen emphasizes empathy as essential for navigating communication and bridging divides, underscoring our shared humanity.
58:45
Belonging: A Core Need
- Belonging, the opposite of loneliness, is a fundamental human need.
- Its absence can activate inflammation genes, increasing chronic illness risks.
Why We Neglect Connection
- Despite needing social connection, many factors hinder its pursuit.
- Societal changes, flawed happiness theories, and prioritizing status over connection contribute.
Building Workplace Friendships
- Foster workplace connections for better collaboration and innovation.
- Even small connections boost motivation and performance.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Power of Belonging in the Workplace
02:13 • 20min
The Impact of Leadership Styles on Group Dynamics
22:07 • 5min
Empowerment Through Connection
26:40 • 7min
The Power of Politeness in Building Connections
33:50 • 3min
Understanding Misjudgment: The Fundamental Attribution Error
36:41 • 16min
Navigating Communication and Personal Insights
52:19 • 2min
The Power of Love and Belonging in Leadership
54:40 • 4min
Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want
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Nick Epley
Juliana Schroeder
Expert Tutoring
Expert Tutoring
Mark Lepper
The Fundamental Attribution Error
The Fundamental Attribution Error
Lee Ross
Ned Jones

Biased
Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do
Jennifer Eberhardt
In this book, Jennifer L. Eberhardt delves into the pervasive nature of implicit bias, illustrating how it influences various aspects of American life, including education, employment, housing, and the criminal justice system. The book combines decades of social psychology research with personal reflections and historical events, such as the White nationalist riots in Charlottesville. Eberhardt discusses her work with law enforcement and other institutions to reduce racial bias and provides practical suggestions for reform. She emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and personal reflection to combat these biases and move towards a more equitable society[1][3][4].

Mindset
The New Psychology of Success
Carol S. Dweck
In this book, Carol S. Dweck introduces the concept of two mindsets: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. People with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are static, while those with a growth mindset believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Dweck shows how these mindsets influence success in school, work, sports, and personal relationships. She also discusses how to adopt a deeper, truer growth mindset, and how this can transform individual and organizational cultures. The book emphasizes the importance of perseverance, learning from failures, and embracing challenges as key components of the growth mindset[1][2][5].

Stumbling on Happiness
Daniel Gilbert
In 'Stumbling on Happiness,' Daniel Gilbert delves into the human capacity to imagine the future and why we are often poor at predicting what will make us happy. Gilbert argues that our imagination is flawed in several ways: it adds or removes details, extrapolates from the present, and fails to account for the psychological immune system that helps us cope with undesired outcomes. The book uses scientific research from psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral economics to explain why we consistently misjudge our future satisfaction and how this affects our decisions. Gilbert also suggests that understanding these biases can help us make better choices and gain more control over our pursuit of happiness.

Lost Connections
Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions
Johann Hari
In 'Lost Connections', Johann Hari explores the increasing rates of depression and anxiety in the Western world. Through a 40,000-mile journey interviewing experts and visiting various communities, Hari identifies nine causes of depression and anxiety, all centered around the theme of disconnection. These causes include disconnection from meaningful work, other people, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status and respect, the natural world, and a hopeful or secure future. The book also delves into the role of genes and brain changes. Hari argues that traditional solutions focusing on chemical imbalances are insufficient and proposes alternative solutions based on reconnection, such as social prescribing, community engagement, and addressing societal issues like inequality and lack of social security.

Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.

The fire next time
James Baldwin
The Fire Next Time is a deeply personal and provocative document that consists of two letters. The first letter is to Baldwin's 14-year-old nephew, warning him about the harsh realities of being Black in America and advising him to affirm his own worth and dignity. The second letter is a broader critique of American society, particularly targeting the failure of the Christian church to provide moral leadership and the societal tendency to perpetuate racial myths. Baldwin argues that white Americans maintain these myths to avoid facing their own inadequacies and moral wrongdoings. He emphasizes the need for love and acceptance to overcome these barriers and warns of a violent reckoning if racial inequality is not addressed.
Field theory in social science
Field theory in social science
Kurt Lewin

How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations[2][3][5].

Belonging
a culture of place
Bell Hooks
I do not have enough information to provide a long description for this book.

Why People Obey the Law
Tom Tyler
In this seminal study, Tom R. Tyler argues that people obey the law primarily because they believe in respecting legitimate authority, rather than due to fear of punishment. The book presents research from the Chicago Study, emphasizing the importance of procedural justice and intrinsic motivation in compliance. Tyler also includes a new afterword that updates his findings with recent research and reflects on changes in his thinking since the book's initial publication.

Give and Take
A Revolutionary Approach to Success
Adam Grant
In 'Give and Take', Adam Grant examines the surprising forces that shape success, highlighting the differences between givers, matchers, and takers. Givers contribute to others without expecting anything in return, matchers aim to trade evenly, and takers strive to get as much as possible from others. Grant uses cutting-edge evidence and captivating stories to show how these styles impact success across various industries. The book emphasizes the benefits and challenges of adopting a giver mentality and provides practical advice on how to build successful relationships and achieve extraordinary results.

Tao te ching
Laozi
The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature[2][3][4].

BOWLING ALONE
The Collapse and Revival of American Community
Robert Putnam
In 'Bowling Alone', Robert D. Putnam presents extensive data showing how Americans have become disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and democratic structures. He argues that this decline in social capital has significant negative impacts on physical and civic health. The book explores various factors contributing to this decline, including changes in work, family structure, suburbanization, and the influence of technology such as television and the internet. Putnam also discusses historical precedents and potential solutions for reviving civic engagement and social connections.
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~ Mother Teresa. Social belonging is a fundamental human need, hardwired into our DNA. And yet, 40% of people say that they feel isolated at work, and the result has been lower organizational commitment and engagement. I suppose […]
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