“Don’t be a topper,” and “don’t fear the pause.” These are two of the valuable tips to help us have deeper conversations and relationships that Author David Brooks shares in his new book How to Know a Person: the Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.
In a world where people feel invisible, unseen, misunderstood and not heard, Brooks observes there is one skill that we can use to see others more deeply — our ability to “to accurately know another person, to let them feel valued, heard, and understood.”
Brooks says this skill is one that most humans don’t do very well. We are either too focused on ourselves, or we aren’t investing in the right kinds of conversations. Brooks sets out to help us do better, providing a practical guide for how we can become more understanding and considerate toward others, and find the joy in being seen and seeing others. Brook argues that the act of truly seeing another person is profound and can help us see something larger in ourselves.
We will be talking about this topic and will probably reference this book in a future podcast. Give it a read and then come back and share you thoughts with us!
How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen