
In our tech-obsessed world, "Back to Human" reveals why face-to-face connection trumps digital convenience. Washington Post bestseller endorsed by Adam Grant and Panera's founder, offering solutions to workplace isolation that proved eerily prophetic during pandemic remote work.
Dan Schawbel, New York Times bestselling author of Back to Human: How to Create Connection and Collaboration in a Lonely World, is a leading voice on workplace dynamics and career success.
As Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, a research firm advising Fortune 500 companies like Oracle and American Express, Schawbel explores themes of human-centric leadership and hybrid work. These topics are further amplified through his Workplace Intelligence Weekly newsletter, which boasts over 250,000 subscribers, and his LinkedIn Learning courses, which have reached over 130,000 students.
His earlier career guides, Promote Yourself and Me 2.0, established him as a millennial workforce expert. Additionally, his "5 Questions" podcast features candid conversations with figures like Richard Branson and Natalie Portman.
A regular contributor to Forbes and TIME, Schawbel has been recognized on Inc. Magazine’s "30 Under 30" and Forbes’ "30 Under 30" lists. His research informs HR strategies for global brands, and Back to Human has been widely cited in discussions about rebuilding workplace culture post-pandemic.
Back to Human explores how leaders can combat workplace isolation by fostering genuine human connections instead of over-relying on technology. Based on global research with 2,000+ professionals, Schawbel argues that virtual communication heightens loneliness and offers strategies like the Work Connectivity Index and Shared Learning model to rebuild team bonds. The book includes exercises, case studies from companies like Nike and Facebook, and a roadmap for human-centered leadership.
This book is ideal for managers, HR professionals, and employees navigating hybrid or remote work environments. It’s particularly relevant for leaders seeking to reduce burnout, improve engagement, and create cultures where collaboration thrives. Schawbel’s actionable frameworks also benefit anyone interested in balancing technology with interpersonal skills.
Yes, especially for its evidence-based solutions to modern workplace challenges. Schawbel combines data from 100+ leadership interviews (e.g., Starbucks, Walmart) with practical tools like real-time feedback strategies and work-life integration techniques. Praised by The Washington Post and Financial Times, it’s a timely guide for fostering resilience in rapidly evolving work environments.
This self-assessment tool measures the strength of team relationships by evaluating communication patterns, trust levels, and collaborative behaviors. Schawbel designed it to help leaders identify gaps in connection and implement corrective actions, such as prioritizing face-to-face interactions or redesigning virtual meeting structures.
Schawbel challenges the traditional "balance" concept, advocating for work-life integration instead. He argues that rigid separation is unrealistic and suggests aligning personal/professional goals through boundary-setting rituals (e.g., “no-email Sundays”) and flexible scheduling. Examples include HBO’s approach to hybrid work and Nike’s focus on employee wellness.
Schawbel cites General Mills’ feedback culture and LinkedIn’s internal networking initiatives as success models.
Some reviewers note the book could delve deeper into systemic barriers to connection in large corporations, like rigid hierarchies or budget constraints. Others suggest expanding case studies beyond tech-savvy industries. However, its actionable frameworks are widely praised for immediacy and scalability.
Schawbel warns against “Zoom fatigue” and recommends blending digital/human interactions:
The U.S. Air Force’s hybrid training program is highlighted as an effective example.
While both focus on empathetic leadership, Schawbel’s book prioritizes actionable metrics (e.g., connectivity scores) over theoretical frameworks. Back to Human also specifically addresses tech-driven isolation, whereas Brown’s work explores broader courage-building. Both are recommended for modern HR strategies.
With AI and remote work accelerating, Schawbel’s warnings about digital overload remain critical. The book’s emphasis on “human-first” policies aligns with 2025 trends like 4-day workweeks and AI ethics audits, making it a blueprint for sustainable organizational cultures.
Schawbel’s 5 Questions podcast (featuring Richard Branson and Condoleezza Rice) expands on the book’s themes. For deeper dives, pair with Reimagining Collaboration by Phil Simon (on workplace tech) and The Power of Human Connection by Vivek Murthy.
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We've never been more isolated.
Multitasking is a myth.
Technology undermines our productivity.
Money only increases happiness up to about $75,000 annually.
Half of Americans admit they'd rather break a bone than their phone.
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We've never been more connected-yet never more alone. This striking contradiction sits at the heart of our modern work experience. With over a third of Americans working remotely and the average person spending five hours daily on their devices (tapping their phones an astonishing 2,600 times per day), we're facing what can only be described as an isolation epidemic. Half of Americans would rather break a bone than their phone-a startling admission revealing our unhealthy attachment to digital companions. This addiction is literally rewiring our brains, causing us to seek devices rather than humans when stressed or craving connection. The workplace consequences are severe. Despite younger workers claiming to prefer face-to-face communication, many spend nearly a third of their time on social media, resulting in weaker relationships and widespread loneliness. Only 30% of employees report having a best friend at work, yet those who do are seven times more likely to be engaged. Research consistently shows workplace isolation correlates with lower performance, decreased commitment, and reduced engagement. Our digital connectivity has created an illusion of connection while actually isolating us from authentic human interaction.