In this inspiring book, psychologist Nicholas Epley reveals how misplaced social fears interrupt our instinct to connect and how to overcome them. Drawing on decades of research, he explains why we tend to be overly pessimistic about how others will respond to a social approach. This becomes self-fulfilling as we avoid the kinds of interaction that create strong connections – such as having a conversation – in favour of less satisfying interactions – such as social media or texting. Above all, he shows that bridging the gap between two people is far easier than we think and success is more likely than we imagine. Whether introvert or extrovert, we all can benefit from being just a little more social. Even the smallest adjustments can bring surprising rewards. And as Epley shows, gradually building wiser social habits can ultimately have life-changing results.
