Critical Connections: Build Relationships and Harness the Power of Community in Work and Life [Hardcover]

Make more and better friends, deepen your connections, and find your community

In Critical Connections, renowned sociologist and author Dr. Tracy Brower delivers inspiration and pragmatic new insights on community and connection that you can use in your own life to build belonging, find and make friends, and create a happier life. The author explains how you can avoid bad friendships, reconnect with old friends, deepen existing friendships, and start a new friend group.

Youll learn how to navigate a new reality that includes artificial intelligence, technology, and social media. Youll also discover how to improve your happiness, wellbeing, and success  in work and in life  by prioritizing quality relationships with human beings, online and offline.

Inside the book:

• The latest research on loneliness, disconnection, dissatisfaction, disengagement, and mental health
• Discussions of the massive, positive impact of community and connections
• Effective strategies to help you find your community, build friendships, and create connection

An accessible and hands-on combination of the latest ?research and practical connection strategies that work in the real world, Critical Connections is a must-read for everyone interested in improving their outlook, relationships, wellbeing, and fulfillment.

Introduction xi

Part I The Power of Connecting 1

1 Connecting in the World Today 3

2 Our Disconnected Reality 21

3 The Positive Impacts of Connection 43

4 The Social Dynamics of Connection and Community 57

5 Thriving as a Member of a Community 69

Part II the PracticelÓ!