The Art of Being Human - Part 1
As part of my work in the world I hold what are known as Circle Spaces. These are basically spaces where people gather, usually forming a physical circle, to speak, be seen and to be heard and one thing I hear time and time again is how much people feel UN-heard and misunderstood out in the world, in their everyday lives.
I always find it quite ironic when people call our age the age of communication because it appears to me that while we can pick up our phones to call a friend any time of day or night and ping an email across to the other side of the world in no time at all, people are feeling lonelier than ever. We have a massive mental health epidemic, people hitting burnout left-right-and centre, and divorce/break up rates are through the roof – why? Because we don’t know how to communicate, because the Art of communication isn’t valued and therefore it isn’t harnessed.
Yes, the world might be racing toward faster technology, smarter machines, and increasingly complex systems, but the truth is, while tech is helping us get stuff done quicker - it is our humanity that is our greatest asset. The skills that will shape a thriving, joyous and peaceful world for human beings are not technical - they’re relational.
If we want to develop for ourselves professional success, personal fulfilment and an apt for navigating challenges then we need to know how to relate – to ourselves, to other people and to the environment. Relatability comes from a willingness to understand or at least try to. It’s about widening your scope of perception to be able to access what I would argue are innate human capacities such as empathy, compassion, curiosity and mirroring. Skills such as these are often called soft skills because they are subtle in practice, but they are without a doubt the most powerful traits accessible to human beings – why? Because effective communication is how we get stuff done TOGETHER and together makes people feel valued and seen, creating loyalty and community spirit.
Soft skills can help us to effectively navigate everything from climate conversations to family dinners. They make us better leaders, better neighbours, and better caretakers of our planet. These are what hold communities together, help us build trust, and allow us to collaborate on the big projects and the big issues facing our world today BUT! We can’t just know about these skills, we have to acquire them, access them and utilise them.
Human communication extends far beyond the words we speak. It’s the warmth in our tone, the curiosity in our questions, the presence in our listening, and the empathy we give freely when someone needs it.
While I believe these are innate human skills that are vital for the future of our world, they do not always come naturally to everybody. Sometimes it takes time and practice to truly understand and embody them – and that’s ok!
All that’s needed initially is an intention to be better - a better parent, partner, boss - whatever is it that drives you towards being more skilled at being human. It starts with you understanding why it’s an important endeavour for you.
For example, if you’re a boss: When we bring more humanity into our workplaces - more empathy, clearer communication, and genuine respect for people’s emotional well-being - we create environments where burnout becomes far less common. Most burnout doesn’t come from “too much work” alone; it comes from feeling unheard, unsupported, or treated like a machine instead of a human being. When leaders encourage open dialogue, team members feel safe to express concerns before they become crises.
When colleagues listen to each other with patience and compassion, collaboration feels energizing instead of draining. Human-cantered workplaces naturally foster happier, more engaged employees and that emotional wellness directly translates into better creativity, stronger teamwork, and a more resilient organization overall. In short - when people feel seen and valued, they don’t just work better, they thrive. They don’t just have to be at work; they WANT to be at work.
This same essence applies to all types of relationships. Learning to effectively communicate helps foster understanding, care and kindness. The kinds of feelings that help people want to open up to you, to build stronger connections.
So How Do We Relearn the Art of Being Human?
The beautiful thing is we don’t need special tools or new apps. We just need intentionality.
Here are 6 simple everyday suggestions to bring more humanity into your life:
Put the phone down when someone is talking to you. A small gesture, a big impact.
Pause before responding. It’s amazing how much clarity shows up in those few seconds.
Ask questions that go deeper than “How’s it going?” Try: “What’s been on your mind lately?”
Practice compassion even when you're stressed. Especially when you’re stressed!
Show up for people. Not perfectly—just honestly.
These are not life hacks. They’re life skills. And they help to shape the world we’re building together. At the end of the day, the art of being human isn’t something we need to master, it’s something we need to remember.
It’s already in us.
And in a time when so much feels uncertain, these human skills give us a foundation to stand on. They help us create a future that’s not just high-tech, but high-touch - a world where people and the planet can truly thrive.
So, let’s start by bringing a little more empathy into the room.
A little more listening.
A little more heart.
If you feel where I’m going with this and want to take this work a little, or a lot, deeper – please do get in touch. I look forward to hearing from you.
Because what the world needs now is more of what makes us human.