The power of 'Sawubona': Putting focus on connection with others

The distraction of our interactions: Sometimes all we are looking for—all that we really need—is to be told that we are seen 

Oftentimes, the best way to show someone that you're truly focused on them is to say three simple words: "I see you." 

I recently sat down with Philadelphia TV legend and resilience motivator Tracy Davidson. We discussed her decades as a television news anchor, investigator, and consumer reporter, specifically focusing on her interactions with people who first and foremost wanted their problems or concerns to be heard.

The Zulu secret to connection

It's all about "Sawubona," a South African Zulu greeting that means "I see you," Tracy explains.

"They don't walk down the hall like we do here: 'hey, how are you?'" Tracy says. "And we don't even stop to hear the answer, right?"

Tracy and I worked together at NBC10 for more than 20 years. During that time, I always looked to her as a "north star" for how to interact with people. Whenever I felt a lack of focus in my own interpersonal communications, I would ask myself: What would Tracy be saying or doing right now? The footer of her emails said it all: "Here to serve."

More than just a greeting for those serving others

That spirit of service continues today as Tracy speaks to others—especially young women—about resilience and holistic spirituality. She works to channel the true meaning of "Sawubona" in every interaction.

"It truly means, 'I see you'—your humanness, the good, the bad, the ugly, all of it. I see you as a human being," Tracy notes.

She used that connectivity to focus on the people who called the news station seeking action on consumer, financial, or legal matters. Often, before she had even achieved a result for them, she would receive emotional responses ranging from deep gratitude to tears.

"They would say, 'You listened to me. You made me feel like I mattered,'" Tracy says. "These are people who've tried to solve an issue a million different ways and they felt like they weren't being heard."

The challenge of connection

All they needed was a focused human interaction.

"That was always a reminder to me how desperately we all—it's a fundamental human need—want to be seen and heard," Tracy reminds us.

In a world full of digital noise and "drive-by" greetings, I challenge you to be the person truly practicing "Sawubona" this week. Putting your full focus on the person in front of you might just make your corner of the world a little bit brighter.