
HOW TO KNOW A PERSON: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply (with David Brooks)
The Next Big Idea
Diminished vs illuminators. Make people feel special and shine their light
People vary widely in the skill of considering others, with reasons like egotism, anxiety, and a limited viewpoint hindering their ability to be attentive to others. The narrative illustrates how self-centeredness leads to misunderstandings and stereotypes during interactions. The speaker highlights the importance of being a 'question-asker' in conversations to truly understand others. The distinction between diminishers, who make people feel small by stereotyping and ignoring, and illuminators, who shine a positive light on others by being curious and attentive, is emphasized. The goal is to inspire individuals to shift from being diminishers to illuminators, making others feel valued and appreciated.