An insightful and compassionate manual on the art of truly understanding another individual, aimed at cultivating deeper connections in all aspects of life—at home, in the workplace, and beyond—from the acclaimed author of The Road to Character and The Second Mountain.
David Brooks emphasizes the significance of a crucial skill essential for the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and organizations: the ability to perceive others deeply and make them feel acknowledged—to authentically comprehend another person, thereby making them feel valued, listened to, and comprehended.
Despite its importance, this skill often eludes us. Many individuals remain unseen, unheard, and misunderstood. In How to Know a Person, Brooks endeavors to guide us toward improvement by posing fundamental questions: What kind of attention should be directed toward someone if you truly want to understand them? What sorts of conversations foster genuine understanding? Which aspects of a person’s narrative deserve attention?
Drawing from diverse fields including psychology, neuroscience, theater, philosophy, history, and education, Brooks employs his trademark curiosity and commitment to personal growth to present a warm, optimistic, holistic approach to human connection. How to Know a Person empowers readers to become more empathetic and considerate towards others, discovering the fulfillment that comes from genuine understanding. Moreover, it offers a potential remedy for a society plagued by division, hostility, and misconceptions.
Brooks contends that truly seeing another person is profoundly transformative. How do we look into someone’s eyes and recognize something profound within them, subsequently recognizing something greater within ourselves? How to Know a Person is a guide for those seeking connection and longing to be truly understood.
