Status Updates From How To Know a Person: The A...

There are many professions that require the ability to see deeply and perceive people beyond the surface: psychologists, actors (identifying & inhabiting core traits of a character), biographers (seeing contradictions and yet a whole person), teachers (seeing potential), talk show & podcast hosts (getting ppl to open up), nursing, ministry, social work, HR, journalism, even management.

In every crowd, there are diminishers and illuminators. Diminishers make people feel small and unseen; they see other people as things to be used, not as people to be befriended. They stereotype, ignore, and are self-involved (others are not on their radar). Illuminators have a persistent curiosity about others and prioritize understanding them. They shine their care on others, make them feel bigger & respected.

Human beings need recognition as much as they need food & water. There is no crueler punishment than to not see someone- to render them unimportant or invisible. “The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent towards them.” (George Bernard Shaw)
On the other hand, there are few things so fulfilling as feeling seen and understood.