For the past four years, New York Times columnist and acclaimed author David Brooks has been trying to learn the skills that go into seeing others, understanding others, making other people feel respected, valued, and safe. Such social skills may sound trifling, but mastering them, David believes, could help us all make better decisions, enhance our creativity, and maybe even repair our nation’s fraying social fabric.

• David's new book is How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

• Learn more about Weave: The Social Fabric Project at weavers.org

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