Wired to Connect: The Brain Science of Teams and a New Model for Creating Collaboration and Inclusion

Consultant Andreatta, who “creates science-based solutions for common workplace challenges,” devotes her spirited primer to the significance of work groups today, when “nearly 90% of workers say they spend one-third to one-half of each day working in teams.” These teams are frequently composed of members “from another region, or even country, thanks to technology and web-based work tools.” To underscore key points, Andreatta uses 14 case studies from successful or not-so-successful teams in workplaces both large and small. Andreatta employs simple lightbulb graphics at the end of each section to mark points in “Your Learning Journey,” declaring the importance of “engaging with concepts in a personal way.” Readers will learn about the new model for group success (“coordination, cooperation, collaboration”), the neurochemistry associated with teamwork, and the importance of mentorship. They’ll also learn about the “boosters” and “threats” that either add or drain “energy” from group efforts, and about the “4 Gates to Peak Team Performance” (namely: safety, purpose, belonging, and peak performing). Andreatta’s enthusiasm may well prove contagious for her target audience, encouraging them to apply her advice to their own workplace teams. (BookLife)