I See You.

Have you had the chance to watch Avatar 2: The Way of the Water? I saw it last weekend and was blown away by the stunning visuals, which come as no surprise given the film's reported production cost of $2.3 million per minute.

But what really stood out to me was the Na'vi greeting "I see you." This greeting is more than just an acknowledgement of presence; it's a profound appreciation of personhood.

By saying "I see you," the speaker recognizes the unique qualities of the person they are addressing and validates that person’s knowledge, insights, and experiences - even if they differ from their own. It's a promise to work in partnership rather than trample over them. It’s more than a statement of respect between individuals but a pledge to be part of a community.

Too often in our daily interactions, we fall short of affording each other such basic respect. During meetings, notice how frequently people use phrases like "I hear what you're saying, but..." or "Hear me out..."? These phrases cut short conversation which can undermine the exchange of ideas and prevent progress.

What might you achieve by incorporating the concept of "I see you" into daily interactions? (As you may recall, my favorite term along these lines is, “Tell Me More.”)

That’s how community leaders foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and progress.