Best Of Denise Young's "When We Are Seen"

Here is a selection of memorable quotes from When We Are Seen: How to Come Into Your Power--and Empower Others Along the Way by Denise Young

What does it mean to “see” someone? "I see you" is a common phrase in my Black community. I love those three words, how they're used, and how they make me smile every time I hear them. "I see you" can translate to "I applaud you;

I recognize the truth, beauty, and realness of what you are doing." The phrase says, I see what you have done, I see the value of you. It affirms, it connects; it validates and uplifts. One little phrase does and says so much, and even when this phrase is used in a social media context, where no one really knows anyone, it holds power.

p. xv

In fact, as the question of my ascendance at Apple is frequently asked about, my response is as frequently-because seeing people is something I know how to do. For me, valuing how others exist in the world, and understanding what got them to where they are, greatly served my success as a leader, as a human being.

p. xix 

We can live with integrity and authenticity, and there will be those who will see us, and those who will not, and always, those who refuse to see. That's the power of the seer: They make the decision to pause, look someone in the eyes, and unleash the force of human connection.

p. 21

Because of this, I intentionally strive to see others, knowing that doing so holds a very universally human kind of power, a source we all can tap into. Our desire to be seen, to be valued and to belong, is existential. Seeing and valuing sows thriving.

It's my hope this book will teach you how to harness that power for yourself. As we move through life, the resultant impact we have on countless others will be vast and immeasurable.

p. 23

We need to grant permission for people to be human, right alongside the goal of driving successful business outcomes. We need these concepts to be no longer separate, but inseparable. And as the reach of Al expands to assume more "machine" work, I believe we will be called into greater action to expand humanly; to both fulfill what machine learning will not achieve or push back on what we do not want it to attempt to achieve.

p. 143

To any CEO reading this: If you want to prepare the ground for the culture shift required to do real work in DEI, then consider the following and much more. Treat your DEI officers and teams the way you treat and engage with your most valued people, doing the most valued work, the work that generates the most return for your organization. Signal their value to the entire company by how you treat them. Do not delegate them to another executive, especially not to your human resources or social responsibility leader, where they can be categorized, and incorrectly so. This work should always directly report to you. If you don't have bandwidth for it, either make it, or don't do it.

p. 208