Your Brain at Work

ACT III

Collaborate with Others

Few people work in isolation anymore. The capacity to collaborate well with others has become central to good performance in just about any endeavor. Yet the social world is also the source of tremendous conflict, and many people never master its seemingly chaotic rules.

The problems that occur between people could be reduced if there were a wider understanding of some of the basic needs of the brain. Along with the need for food, water, shelter, and a sense of certainty, there are “social needs,” which, if not met, create a sense of threat that can quickly devolve into conflicts between people.

In act 3, Emily discovers just how much the brain needs social connections, and recognizes the surprising importance ...