In Connected Dreams: How Ideas Move and Connect in Unexpected Ways, Joseph Nyangon shows us that there are new paradigms of points of power and influence—collaboration, empowerment, redefinition of challenges, and accountability—that shape the way we look at one another—and ourselves—and proposes new ways of building a better and more cooperative world based on intrinsic motivators.

A few years ago, the Economist Intelligence Unit conducted a wide-ranging survey of over six hundred senior executives worldwide, as well as several in-depth interviews with business leaders and independent technology experts to determine the impact advances in technology will have on people, and how companies do business. It revealed that the subject of how to connect, empower, and influence decision making process at different levels and sectors, how to think and advance multi-channel communication, and how to use innovation and technology to give wings to customization, is of the greatest interest as the line between consumer and producer becomes blurred.

The survey concluded that “tomorrow’s employees, for example, will be no less empowered by technology than customers,” but the key question remains “will they have the skills to leverage these tools effectively and to use the information they glean wisely?” The author explains that the answer lies not just in getting airtime on mainstream communication channels but also listening in on social networks and online communities, to find out what is being discussed, the core values that influence the decision-making process, the issues that foster how connected and empowered people become, and circumstances that motivate people to break new grounds through a host of choices. Whether you are an executive or a tree hugger, these issues will become key determinants of success and failure, and are the centerpiece of this critically acclaimed book.

The very idea that as the world grows global and more connected, and organizations become flatter and less hierarchical, advances collaboration and partnerships in strategic thinking. On a macro level, in essence, it means governments no longer have greater control on cross-border networks. But even more fascinating is that negative threats such as terrorism and climate change aren't just confined to one region. Mr Nyangon writes “the world is becoming more like the United Nations—people are expected to speak more than one language, learn about different cultures, live and work with people who don't look like them, or think like them.” More still, between collaboration and empowerment, and the objectives they seek to advance lay connectedness. In particular, collaboration by facilitating honest relationships, nurturing teamwork, embracing strong values, fostering less hierarchy, and offering feedback.

In Connected Dreams, this reality is defined by a concept of turning swords into ploughshare, that is, creative tools that benefit mankind. Or those actions that are found in people with strong values and creativity; those people who use their talents and skills to benefit other people, that is, effect positive change not just in their constituencies but the influence of their actions spills across boarders, outlive them, and shape thoughts and ideas of many generations to come.