Social Thinking at Work

Strategies for Understanding and Navigating the Workplace (for Teens & Adults) This award-winning book unpacks the power of our social cognition. It’s written for both neurotypical and Neurodivergent teen and adult readers to better understand the powerful ways in which we “read” not only what people mean by what they say, but also how others perceive how we emotionally relate. This book is also a good primer for neurotypical employers/employees or HR departments to read about the experiences and perspectives of Neurodivergent coworkers and perhaps develop empathy for the complexity of the bi-directional social learning process. Provides practical strategies for how to effectively work in a group, understand the hidden rules of the social world—including workplace etiquette and politics—and build relationships. Most people are born with an intuitive sense of the social world that allows them to naturally be aware of social expectations and feeds them the information they need to follow the social code. But not everyone is born with intuitive social understanding. Social learning differences, difficulties, or disabilities can be especially challenging in the workplace, where it’s assumed employees understand not only how to do their job but how to effectively work in a group, understand the hidden rules of office etiquette and office politics, and build and maintain solid professional relationships with others. We all want to be appreciated for who we are and how we contribute, but if our messages are communicated in a way where others feel confused or hurt, then the good intention underlying the message is lost. As a result, it’s often tough for these individuals to build the relationships and reputation necessary to excel in the workplace, regardless of their expertise or how hard they work. This book is also a good way for neurotypical employers and employees to better understand the perspectives of their Neurodivergent coworkers, as well as show empathy and sensitivity for the difficult social learning process. Given years of feedback from our clients, teens and adults with social learning differences, difficulties, or disabilities often need information about social emotional relationships broken down and explained in a way that can help them build skills and understanding, one step at a time. This book does just that—it is a constructive and detailed guide to help teens and adults learn how to do the “social dance” to build stronger relationships at work and beyond. This book is also a good primer for neurotypical employers/employees or HR departments to read about the experiences and perspectives of Neurodivergent coworkers, and perhaps develop empathy for the complexity of the bi-directional social learning process. It provides practical strategies for how to effectively work in a group, understand the hidden rules of the social world—including workplace etiquette and politics—and build relationships. It also encourages employees to self-advocate when needed. Powerful, Practical Strategies Social Thinking at Work contains easily accessible information about core concepts that describe how we think about our own and others’ thoughts and emotions, actions and reactions, intentions, and motives. In it you’ll learn to become a stronger social observer and use strategies that increase your social competencies. Chapters address: The social mind, social intelligence, and how social thinking is different from social skills The role of our emotions and social memory in office interactions The hidden rules or expectations and social memory in various types of specific office situations Giving compliments, asking for help, and apologizing Seven core tenets of perspective taking and understanding others' points of view Exploring the Social Emotional Chain Reaction The four steps of communication Indirect communication: reading between the lines Belonging: workplace adaptations vs. conformity vs. teamwork and networking The office hierarchy, friendships, romantic relationships, bullying, and more Authors: Michelle Garcia Winner, Pamela Crooke Published: 2022 Ages: Adult Format: Paperback Pages: 209 ISBN: 9781936943883