Book: Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life (Mariner Books, 2016)
Author: Amy E. Herman
Review by: Penelope Prime, founding director, China Research Center
I became aware of this work when I was seeking better listening and observation skills. Amy Herman’s book is a sophisticated but accessible path to strengthening one’s awareness of the world around you. As an art historian and a lawyer, she uses her talents to steer us to look very, very closely and remember what we see. It is much harder than it sounds.
Imagine looking at a painting and then recounting the details you saw—without looking back at it. What color was the chair? Was there a stream? What was the person in the painting wearing? Were there clouds in the sky? She says in the book, “How the neurons in the human brain decide what to deal with is called attention.” (p.29)
The next step is to make “seeing deeply” an automatic habit.
Herman has taught her techniques to police departments, the FBI, flight attendants, the military and the State Department among others. Careful observation can be a powerful tool in enhancing our work and daily activities. Working with an Ikebana (Japanese flower art) teacher has similarly helped me observe nature in a new way. Herman’s method has expanded this for me to other domains.
Herman also urges us to see what is not there. And to ask the right questions to understand what is going on. Sort facts from biases. Clearly distinguish objective from subjective.
She has much to teach us.
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