Description

A life-changing book that will transform how you think about yourself and the people around you: for fans of Emotional Intelligence, The Courage to Be Disliked and Surrounded by Idiots

‘Full of wisdom’ – The Economist

‘Fascinating’ – Financial Times

‘This is one of the most interesting and useful books ever written on networking.’ – Adam Grant, bestselling author of Originals

‘Social Chemistry is a fascinating look at the particulars of impactful networks. Whether you take naturally to networking or think yourself allergic to it, there is practical information here that can help you form more productive relationships, and make better use of those you already have.’ – David Epstein, bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene

Conventional wisdom would have us believe that it is the size of our network that matters. We’re told to mix, mingle, and connect as much as possible. And, frequently, we worry that we don’t know enough people; that other people have far bigger networks than we do.

But social science research suggests otherwise.

The quality of our relationships has a far greater impact on our personal and professional lives than the number of them. After all, our relationships with friends, family, co-workers, neighbours and collaborators are by far our greatest asset – so why are we still leaving them to chance?

In this ground-breaking book, Marissa King, Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Yale, explains the strategic ways in which we can alter our relationships for the better. She shows us how we can harness the power of our networks in our work and personal lives, and ultimately how we can build happier, more fulfilling lives for ourselves.

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What readers say:

‘I would recommend this book to anyone looking or increase their social capital.’
‘Strongly grounded in research, it is the insights into personal experiences that make it so valuable’
‘Practical, yes, but solid, cutting-edge science. Marissa King knows as much as anyone in the world about this topic, and she’ll make you an expert too’

Publisher Review

Using recognizable celebrities and anecdotes from interviewed individuals as examples, King blends large-scale research with personal stories to illustrate her findings. Social Chemistry is a fascinating study for anyone curious about human interaction. - Booklist King gives readers the big picture, showing what social networks are and demonstrating their importance in one's career and personal life. A personable approach to one of the hot topics of our times. - Kirkus In an age of both hyper-connectedness and extreme loneliness, Marissa King definitively cracks the code on human connection: what brings us together, what keeps us together, and how we make each other come alive. - Emma Seppala, Ph.D, author of The Happiness Track, Science Director, Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University Marissa King skillfully brings to light how understanding the science of organizational behavior and networks yields benefits far beyond the workplace. Decoding social patterns can transform every corner of your life. By providing readers with prescriptive pathways towards greater connectivity and intention, Social Chemistry helps you to create new relationships and strengthen your existing ones. -Eve Rodsky, New York Times Bestseller of Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) This is one of the most interesting and useful books ever written on networking. As a leading sociologist at Yale, Marissa King specializes in evidence-based insights on enriching our professional and personal connections. You'll quickly recognize your own style-and some opportunities for growth and development. - Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals It's frequently said that we're living in a 'connected world.' But it turns out that the details of those connections matter, a lot. Social Chemistry is a fascinating look at the particulars of impactful networks. Whether you take naturally to networking or think yourself allergic to it, there is practical information here that can help you form more productive relationships, and make better use of those you already have. - David Epstein, Sunday Times bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene