When I think about answering this question, what you seek, seeks you out, comes to mind. There is no right or wrong answer; it is just a beautiful reminder that each of us is on a unique journey. The people, experiences and things I find interesting and what interests another will surely be different.
One of the loveliest answers I got when asking the question “Who is the most interesting person you met in 2024?” was “I met myself”. The joy of meeting oneself and finding “Me” to be one of the most interesting people I met in the year gone by, sounds lovely. To meet “Me” with fresh eyes look inward, find interesting facets to explore, and more importantly, dare to go deep within is wonderful. To be able to see the beauty inside and want to get to know oneself better, with curiosity and empathy is a journey worth undertaking.
The other thought that I am reminded of is the BINI principle – “Be Interested, Not Interesting”. Sometimes being interested in others rather than trying to be interesting is the unlock to a whole new way of being. It opens up so many roads to explore and builds meaningful connections. The smallest of connections sometimes leave a long-lasting mark, and the dots often connect, leading to interesting outcomes. Serendipity versus the algorithms that currently seem to curate our lives is a wonderful world to delve into.
So, who is the most interesting (new) person I met? There are many contenders, so I tried to narrow it down to people I met for the first time in 2024. New clients and colleagues from the world of communication and coaching broadened my horizons. Many young minds that I met on campuses caught my attention. Mark Vandeneijnde, author of The Being Entrepreneur, probably comes up as one that meets the mark. I have had a chance to meet him only online and at regular intervals. I love the journey that he is on and his efforts to carry others with him on the journey of an inside-out approach to entrepreneurship is what inspires me.
From the world of communication, Anirudha Atul Bhagwat who I happened to meet and have a long chat with at PRAXIS11 in Pune, is another name that comes up on my list. He is doing interesting work that aligns with my love for the subject of messaging and developing messages that matter which are authentic and rooted in insights on behalf of clients. This “inside-out approach” seems to be calling my attention, as it appears to be what makes both these people interesting to me.
Meeting new people and having a meaningful engagement with them is not easy. Life is just so busy. Time is precious. Finding the space and the place to meet new people that align with my interests must continue to be a priority for 2025. Growth is always about change and evolving means meeting the new with interest and curiosity.
Here is a reminder to myself and all the communications professionals out there to build new connections, on behalf of the corporations and brands you represent. Who are the interesting people that you can connect your company within 2025? Creating interest and alignment between your organisation and its audiences is the very essence of public relations. Creating alignment between the inner you and your outward journey is at the heart of the coaching profession. What are you interested in? Who are you interested in? Here’s wishing all of you an interesting 2025.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
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