StandOutIn90Sec’s Post

Have you ever had a conversation that made you realize how much you've changed? I recently did, and it was eye-opening. A few days ago, I reconnected with an old acquaintance—a renowned Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur turned successful investor. We hadn't spoken in years, and I reached out and we met for coffee. Even a few years ago, I think I would have felt a tad intimidated and in awe of his "success." His Silicon Valley credentials would have loomed large in my mind. But this time was different. As we started talking, something shifted. He shared a personal story that caught me off guard. His sister had called from India, asking, "Do you want to know the bad news or the really bad news first?" What followed was a tale of unimaginable challenges—family crises, health scares, and personal setbacks. Listening to him recount these experiences, I was struck by his resilience, perseverance, and kindness in the face of adversity. In that moment, the Silicon Valley aura disappeared. He wasn't a Silicon Valley success story - we were just two humans sharing our experiences as sons, husbands, fathers, and temporary inhabitants of this planet. That's when it hit me: I had changed. I realized that a large part of this change has come from my experiences hosting StandOutIn90Sec. Through countless interviews, I've encountered humans—not executives or leaders, but real people sharing their life stories. This experience has taught me to see the vulnerable, honest, and authentic person in everyone I meet. And I realized my persona in front of the camera and mic had extended into real life, allowing folks to be themselves - just humans - and as they shared their stories, so did I, and a deeper bond ensued over coffee chats too!! To Mr. R: Thank you for our chat, for your openness, and for unknowingly holding up a mirror that allowed me to see my own growth. Your story reminded me of the importance of pausing to reflect on our shared humanity. This experience has left me with a profound sense of gratitude. It's a reminder that beneath our titles, achievements, and social status, we're all just humans navigating this complex journey of life. And sometimes, it takes a conversation with an old acquaintance to make us realize how far we've come. What conversations have changed your perspective recently? How have you grown without even realizing it? #humans #stories #StandOutIn90Sec #vulnerability