Why is it important to keep interacting with people and also learn from them?

 By K.R. Nayar

Never shy away from interacting with people. We can always learn something from everyone if we genuinely show interest in that person. In fact, we should be excited to interact with people from different fields. It expands our horizons and also makes us more tolerant individuals.  

I've been fortunate to get the opportunity to meet someone interesting almost every day. Being a sportswriter, most people I interact with are those interested in sports. And being a cricket writer for nearly three decades, most people are keen on discussing the game and the many tales associated with it. I too derive great joy talking about the various other sports personalities I've met and interacted with over these years.    

I've always wondered why is it that I feel so happy meeting people. Firstly, when we discuss it helps me recall those exciting moments I've witnessed or reported. Talking about the legends whom I've met and recalling their stories motivates me immensely. It is a sheer joy to see people enjoy the stories I share....something that is hard to express in words.

So then, why is it that we must never stop meeting and interacting with people from different walks of life? There are some who believe they should interact with people only from their field. Their interactions are mainly to know more about a subject or an activity they are interested in. Very often they forget that one can learn something from anyone whom you are able to relate to.  It is always exciting to have the curiosity to know about different things and happenings around the world. 

According to me, every person we interact with has something special in them. Some might be on the path to greatness, while there might be others who may not have become as successful due to some unfortunate circumstances, but he/she might be very knowledgeable. I believe everyone is talented, the only difference being that some may have polished it hard while the others were not able to do the same. I would never consider it a waste of time when meeting someone. 

While we may have more knowledge on one subject, talking to people who have excelled in their fields and being curious to know about their area of work or success stories could make us more broadminded and open up our horizons. 

During my days as a journalist in Mumbai, I used to make it a point to visit the Mumbai Press Club. Expert writers from various fields would gather there every evening for informal chats. Very often, ideas for my next story sprang up from those interactions.

There is also this common misconception that seniors need not interact with juniors informally, Those who believe so will only have the tag of an experienced employee but not really a knowledgeable one. Showing interest in juniors will not only earn his/her respect but one could get fresh ideas from them as well.  The phrase 'picking your brain' is never a one-way act, you too can do the same with the person talking to you.

While interacting with cricket umpires who often need to officiate matches in the scorching heat of the UAE, there is often something to learn from them. If not for their deep passion and commitment to the game, they wouldn’t be standing there taking in the soaring heat.

 It is also very interesting to interact with coaches because their main objective is to see their players excel in the game. One can always imbibe their passion for the game. Interacting with parents whose children take coaching is equally interesting. It is heartening to see them support their children who have a keen interest in the sport. They are aware that not every child will go to become a superstar, but they hope their child can master the spirit of sports and go on to be successful in life. 

What prompted me to write this blog is because we see that the attention span of people, especially youngsters, is getting lower by the day. Their distractions are so many that they rarely find it interesting to know or interact with anyone other than their friends. Knowledge is not gained only from academics. Actually I believe that there is a lot to learn from people around you. Actors, singers and even musicians, whom I have interacted with, had many inspiring traits in them. Interacting with different people helps us to also adapt and adjust with varied people in our career and be a team man.