We objectify people every day. It’s a human survival mechanism that allows us to instantly categorize the world around us. But what happens after that first, instant judgment? This week on The Collective, we dove into the complex and often uncomfortable topic of “Objectification.” Joined by former Green Beret Chris Lee and firefighter/paramedic John Vargas, we explored the line between perception and personhood. The conversation was a deep look at how we move from seeing others as objects to recognizing them as subjects, and why that journey is the foundation of leadership, empathy, and a well-lived life.
This Week’s Panel:
– Chris Lee: Former Green Beret and high-performance coach.
– John Vargas: Serving firefighter and paramedic.
Key Insights from Our “Objectification” Discussion:
1. Objectification is Instant Categorization
I kicked things off by explaining that objectification happens long before we form a conscious thought. It’s an ancient survival mechanism where our brain instantly categorizes a person or situation—tall, short, threat, non-threat. This initial “objectification” is unavoidable; the moral and ethical choice comes in what we do after that first impression, once we become aware of our own biases.
2. There Are No Groups, Only Individuals
Chris made a powerful point that the root of social division is objectifying people by putting them into groups and boxes. His counter-practice is to remember that there are no groups, only individuals, each with their own story and soul. This mindset forces a shift from broad categorization and lazy stereotyping to person-to-person connection.
3. The Power of the Heart Over the Mind
John introduced the HeartMath Institute, which suggests the heart’s electromagnetic field is far larger than the brain’s and can even perceive information seconds before the brain does. This reframes connection not as a purely logical process, but as an energetic and emotional one. To truly see a person, we must learn to listen with our heart, not just our mind, and cultivate a state of “coherence.”
4. Learning to Wield the Blade of Objectivity
We used the analogy of objectivity as a knife. In the hands of a trained and aware person, it’s a sharp tool for clarity. But in the hands of someone driven by bias and confusion, it’s a dull, dangerous weapon. We are not born knowing how to wield this blade; we must learn to sharpen it through self-awareness and human connection.
5. Find a New Group to Reshape Your Lens
When asked how to get better at wielding objectivity, I suggested finding a new group. Our perspectives are shaped by the people we’re around. By deliberately placing yourself in a new environment with people who think differently—moving from one “mob” to another, as a philosopher might—you are forced to see the world, and yourself, through a new lens, which is a powerful way to break down old biases.
6. The Cost of Hypervigilance
John Vargas spoke from his experience as a first responder about how the professional need to constantly objectify and scan for threats can turn into a state of hypervigilance. He described it as a “self-made beast that now was interfering with my regular life.” This highlights the cost of a purely objective lens: when everything becomes a potential threat, you lose the ability to connect, and the very tool that keeps you safe on the job can negatively impact your life off of it.
7. We See the World As We Are, Not As It Is
Chris shared the powerful insight, “We don’t see the world as it is; we see the world as we are.” This returns the responsibility for perception to the individual. The biases, the judgments, and the categories we place on others are a direct reflection of our own internal state. To see the world more clearly, we must first do the work to clean our own lens.
8. The Cold Hard Truth Game
John shared a personal practice he calls “the cold hard truth” game. He asks himself simple, direct, yes-or-no questions to cut through the stories and confusion his mind has created. This practice is a tool for radical self-objectivity, allowing him to see his own limitations and biases without the emotional narrative, creating a clearer foundation for how he views the external world.
Final Thought: To see the human is a choice.
Objectification is our default setting. It’s fast, efficient, and rooted in survival. But leadership, character, and true connection are found in the deliberate choice to move beyond that initial judgment. It is the conscious, active process of looking past the object—the category, the uniform, the first impression—and making the effort to see the person.
Who have you objectified, and how can you see them differently?
Listen to the full “Objectification” discussion here: Objectification
Keep seeing the person,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
