Have you ever realised how amazing it is that two people can look together at the same object?

It’s a highly evolved characteristic – apparently only some apes and monkeys, who have had prolonged contact with humans, can do it.

Dogs may be able to to it – but cats can’t understand that you are looking at something else, and don’t follow your gaze. If you point, they just look at your finger.

That’s yet another insight from Iain McGilchrist’s fabulous book The Master And His Emissary, all abut the relationship between the two hemispheres of the brain.

And it has a resonance for me as a Clean Language enthusiast. Skilled Clean facilitators pay attention to where the client is gazing, even when he is gazing at a something “imaginary”, and gaze with him.

It’s an incredible rapport-builder, and develops profound insights for both facilitator and client.

As one participant on a course said: “It’s as if we both agree to treat our imaginary friends as real.”