The Psychology of Successful Groups: The Social Brain

We are a species whose social relationships have profound impacts on us physiologically, psychologically and socially, orientating us towards health and pro-social behaviour or away from them. In this remarkable and important book, international researchers and pioneers guide readers through the research on the evolution and social dynamics of small groups and how to cultivate them to bring out the best in us, rather than the worst. This book is a highly accessible, timely and invaluable guide to anybody working in groups, including businesses, schools and governments.—Prof Paul Gilbert OBE, author of THE COMPASSIONATE MIND, and founder of compassion focussed therapyEver since the Industrial Revolution, an engineering mindset has dominated management thinking, making it easy for managers to forget that, ultimately, productive work is human. This wonderful book reminds us that businesses are also biological and social: created by living beings who can – and want to – transcend individual capacity with collective intelligence. It could not be more timely, wise and useful.—Margaret Heffernan, author of Wilful BlindnessThe world, particularly post the COVID-19 pandemic, is desperate for compassionate leaders who show disproportionate regard for community, belonging and fellowship. The Social Brain is a clarion call for all leaders to heed.—Dr Alistair Mokoena, Director of Google South AfricaThe hardest part of the modern leader's job isn't strategy, finance or technology: the biggest challenge in today's corporation is human-shaped: how to lead the tribes and the talent to deliver your plans. This thoughtful and charming book provides an essential and evidence-based map to our humanity. Buy it for yourself and your colleagues. Essential reading.—Mark Earls, author of HERDThe perfect compass for those seeking to create not only healthy teams, but high-performing ones.—Owen Eastwood, performance coach, speaker and author of BELONGING