What happens when we make a conscious effort to truly understand the intricacies of human behavior and social intelligence? In this episode of The Darin Olien Show, I chat with Robert Greene about self-awareness, the ability to recognize our own flaws, and how this recognition propels personal growth. Transitioning to the idea of deception, we emphasize the need to develop a sense of detachment when observing people, drawing on Carl Jung's concept of the enantiodromia to recognize contradictions in character traits. Oftentimes, people show us exactly the opposite of who they really are and most people tend to take this person who is standing right in front of them for face value, hence ending up being deceived in the long-term. We also discuss the pressing need for authenticity in a digital-driven world. Robert stresses the importance of fostering real-life connections and empathy and to put our phones away. Robert Greene is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, The Laws of Human Nature, and most recently of The Daily Laws. In addition to having a strong following within the business world and a deep following in Washington, DC, Greene’s books are hailed by everyone from war historians to the biggest musicians in the industry. What we discuss: 04:00: Why did Robert write his book? 11:20: How can we open up our consciousness? 17:13: How can we build up new skills once we recognize our weaknesses? 23:05: What strategies can we resort to cultivate awareness? 29:56: What can we do better as a society? 45:59: What does our history say about us? 51:21: How has Robert’s stroke affected his life? Key Takeaway: