The New Social Code - by Michael Arena & Greg Pryor (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Master five irreplaceable human advantages to thrive alongside AI

The New Social Code reveals the five relational edges that help professionals thrive through unforgettable stories, practical strategies and decades of social science. Written by Michael Arena and Greg Pryor, co-founders of the Connected Commons, this book draws on a decade of research across nearly 100 organizations including AWS, General Motors, and Workday to reveal how Opportunity, Trust, Attention, Insight, and Influence create human centered advantages algorithms cannot replicate.

The greatest misconception about the AI revolution is that it is primarily a technology story. It isn't, it is also a relational one. As intelligence becomes abundant, connections become the new scarcity. Computer code instructs machines on how to execute. The New Social Code instructs people on how to connect, enabling them to accomplish what machines cannot.

Readers will also find:

• The five relational edges framework, built from a decade of applied network science research across major global organizations
• Compelling stories of well-known exemplars like Harrison Ford, Billie Eilish, and even Pope Leo, alongside less known professionals
• Applied relational practices converting AI anxiety into purposeful action by leveraging irreplaceable human relational edges
• Eighteen tactical play mapped across the five relational edges to elevate success
• Authors research featured in Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes, grounded in real professional success

The New Social Code is written for professionals, leaders, and recent graduates who want to position themselves for success and their organizations to lead through technological disruption. It provides a proven framework for anyone seeking to build lasting competitive advantage through human connection rather than competing against machines through endless reskilling.

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR THE NEW SOCIAL CODE

"Many people assume that the rise of AI will diminish the importance of human relationships. My experience has shown the opposite. The more powerful technology becomes, the more success depends on our ability to collaborate across boundaries, earn trust quickly, and bring people together around new possibilities. The New Social Code provides a practical and research-backed roadmap for thriving in that future."
--PALLAVI MAHAJAN, Chief Technology and AI Officer, Nokia

"The New Social Code is the guidebook that every leader and organization needs to flourish, rather than freeze-up and fail, in the AI era. This unusually well-written gem is packed with compelling evidence and stories that will help you to harness the human relationships, networks, and trust you need to thrive financially and emotionally, rather than to be left behind, in these exciting and sometimes frightening times."
--ROBERT I. SUTTON, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and New York Times ?bestselling author of eight books, including The Friction Project (with Huggy Rao)

"As artificial intelligence reshapes the professional landscape, human connection remains our most powerful asset. Greg Pryor and Michael Arena make a compelling case that expanding our networks and strengthening our relationships is the vital infrastructure needed to thrive in the Age of AI. The New Social Code is an essential guide for both leaders and individuals who want to ensure that technology amplifies our collective human flourishing."
--CARRIE VAROQUIERS, Chief Impact Officer, Workday

"Technology continues to transform how we work, but one truth remains constant: our greatest opportunities are created through the relationships we build. The ability to build trust, collaborate across boundaries, and bring people together has never been more important. I've known Michael Arena and Greg Pryor and followed their work for years. They have consistently shown that human connection isn't a soft skill?it's a strategic advantage."
--JULIE LODGE-JARRETT, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Purpose & ?Transformation Officer, Dick's Sporting Goods

"The Medici Effect argued that innovation happens where different worlds collide. In the Age of Intelligence, those intersections matter more than ever, and they don't happen by accident. Greg Pryor and Michael Arena show that our greatest advantage isn't simply learning AI; it's learning how to build the relationships that help people discover opportunities, combine ideas, and create value together. The New Social Code is an insightful and practical roadmap for anyone who wants to thrive in the future of work."
--FRANS JOHANSSON, author of The Medici Effect

About the Author

MICHAEL ARENA is co-founder of the ?Connected Commons, a research con?sortium focused on the intersection of networks and organizational performance. He previously served as chief talent officer at General Motors, leading a major culture transformation through organizational networks, and as vice president at Amazon Web Services. Arena earned Thinkers50 recognition for his book Adaptive Space and has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal.

GREG PRYOR is co-founder of the Connected Commons, bringing ten years of experience shaping Workday's hypergrowth. An award-?winning inno?vator recognized by Great Place To Work, Pryor was selected by Harvard Business Review for one of 2023's Top 10 Management Ideas. His work centers on designing scalable employee development and leadership pipelines, with a focus on human connection as the key to competitive advantage in the future of work.