The Shift: How Seeing People as People Changes Everything

In the interests of full disclosure, I must note that I am not an unbiased reviewer. I am the author's cousin, and am incredibly proud that one of my own has written such an excellent, profound and transformative book!That said, you really don't have to be related to her to be moved to tears, and inspired to try something new with your life, by The Shift. As White's cousin (I want to call her Kim, but from y'all she deserves last name respect), I am also aware of her politics. They angle away from my own in not quite an opposite but certainly a different direction. Our views are different enough that we might find each other on the opposite sides of opposing demonstrations if we ever ended up going to the same clash of demonstrations (which hopefully we will not--or at least I hope our families still meet up for dinner afterwards).White's politics are not on display in this book, because her work here speaks to a more universal and deeply human place, outside of, and antecedent to, the political clashes over which ideological faction should have more power over life, death, freedom, confinement, how wealth gets made and how it gets distributed. Her book speaks to a place from which we can negotiate our political, moral, and--the book's specialty-- personal divides in a spirit of mutual respect, receptivity, humility, and, yes, love.I hope The Shift is the beginning of White coming to have an increasingly influential voice in the tender places of this country's heart, and of the world's. And God knows we need more tenderness of heart right now, to weather the intense and traumatic clashes we have with each other, individual and collective, small and large. Sometimes those clashes are violent and oppressive vertical abuses of power born of unjust distributions of power. Sometimes the clashes are more horizontally fraternal than that, though, and in the latter case, at least, tenderness is essential. We also need that tenderness to care effectively for those most vulnerably in need of care, regardless of how they may trigger us.White's stories of a nursing home seeking collectively to be humane and of a rocky marriage trying to right itself provide vivid examples and powerful metaphors of who we all need to be going forward.

Wow. Where do I start? I never write reviews, but this one deserves a big five stars and certainly my time and effort in sharing its greatness. I struggle to categorize... organizational leadership, business management, relationships, social work, self-help? I would say all of the above and more. I loved this book, and even more so as a student working towards my MSW. I was introduced to this book from an article I read about it and this quote that grabbed me, “The richness of another human life is utterly and magnificently unknowable”.How do we look at and treat others, as people or as objects? How do we act or react when we feel like others are treating us as objects (for their purposes, as a means to an end) instead of living, breathing humans with struggles and dreams and stories of our own?I found myself engrossed in the many examples of human greatness and potential of people when they are seen as people. We all have gifts and qualities, and even our failings, inside us just waiting to be discovered and appreciated. We all carry struggles and pain and a unique worldview. I loved to read about many touching examples of nursing home residents in the most vulnerable of circumstances and the caregivers who love those who may at times seem the most unloveable. I found myself spontaneously breaking into tears at some of the intensely moving stories of kindness and humility that the author weaves into her own story of the profound internal changes she experiences as she applies the principle of “seeing people as people” in her life.Let the “shift” of how you see people in all their humanness take hold within you and find greater meaning, purpose and love in how you view and treat others and yourself. It will change your outlook, your focus, and ultimately your life.

This book helped me to reflect on my own behavior in my co-parenting relationship with a difficult ex. The author weaves in her own relationship Shift in her marriage and it touched my heart. Thank you, Kimberly, for sharing your research and your own journey with the rest of us. ☮️

As a nurse in a SNF, I related to this on a number of levels, but this book would be good for people at any profession to read (or listen to - I also own the Audible version). I thought she did a good job of explaining the concept of "seeing people as people" which sounds kind of silly at first. I thought duh, people are people! But read this book and you will see! It helped me to observe strengths and weaknesses in my own interactions with others and a mindset which helped me to improve.

Such a tender, thoughtfully written book about how to see the goodness & humanity in those around us and thus change our perception of problems or relationships. Using the backdrop of skilled nursing facilities, the author presents life lessons for everyone to learn & be inspired from. I keep asking myself her same question, “How am I a problem to others?” instead of how focusing on how others are a problem to me.

The world could be change just based on how we see others. Everyone is uniquely beautiful as they are so we should see and accept who they are.

A beautiful, thought provoking book. It caused me to look at my relationships in a new way. The author was incredibly honest throughout. A must read for those looking to improve their relationships with family or co-workers.

Very interesting and easy read. The author doesn't take herself too seriously and is ok with putting her personal life on view.The book really helps you shift how you see people. No longer are they a collection of problems or assets but they are People. Humans.Wonderful.