Good Intentions Are Not Good Enough
Note: Previously published as Social Thinking at Work: Why Should I Care? Our new incarnation of the book is a title and cover change only. Content inside the book is the same.
The social mind... It's always on the job, even when you're off the job!
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 challenges can be especially noticeable 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.
This 200+ page book is a primer about the social mind in the workplace, but the concepts and strategies are equally applicable in all areas of life. It’s largely based on the authors’ years of clinical experience working with adults who struggle socially, but may or may not identify their problems with a specific diagnosis. Many are highly intelligent and skilled employees who find it difficult to decipher the often nuanced social underpinnings that are part of daily life, on or off the job.
Individuals with social challenges want to be appreciated for who they are and how they contribute (just like all of us do!), but often their good intentions aren’t communicated in a way that others easily understand. 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.
Adults with social learning challenges 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 adults learn how to do the “social dance” in order to build stronger relationships at work and beyond. Remember, good intentions aren’t good enough!
Although the content is geared to the adult with social emotional challenges, this is a great source of information for people working in HR departments to better understand social challenges and how to guide and coach employees with these challenges.
Powerful, Practical Strategies
Good Intentions Are Not Good Enough 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 competence. 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 office interactions
- Giving compliments, asking for help, and apologizing
- Seven core tenets of perspective taking and understanding others' points of view
- Exploring the social-emotional chain effect
- The four steps of communication
- Indirect communication: reading between the lines
- Fitting in: conformity teamwork and networking
- The office hierarchy, friendships, romantic relationships, bullying, and more
Attempting to interpret others’ thoughts and emotions is as much a part of the workday as is doing our actual jobs. By learning to think socially we can change our behavior to directly affect how we are perceived and treated.
Different Cover, Same Great Award-Winning Information
Previously published as Social Thinking at Work: Why Should I Care? our new incarnation of the book is a title and cover change only. Content inside the book has not changed.
The book was an Award-Winning Finalist in both the “Self-Help: General” category and the "Best New Self-Help Book" category in the International Book Awards competition.
