In the past week, I’ve been to two 100+-person events. One was the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network “Non-Profit Excellence Awards”. The other was a family member’s wedding (which felt like a three-day, warm, family embrace – a big hug, the best).

One common experience between the two was meeting people and hearing stories outside of my professional bubble.

At the non-profit event – inspiring, sometimes breathtaking, stories from people engaged in activities ranging from providing affordable housing to opening pathways for students to reach college or graduate school and suicide prevention and adult literacy education. At the wedding – people engaged in providing access to financial products in Africa; in public water resource planning; in public health management; in international finance and sovereign finance; in international relations; in the practice of law; in managing a family office; in finding pathways after leaving full-time employment, and more.

I often drag my feet when I’m thinking about going to large gatherings. The flaming introvert in me always speaks quickly and volubly when I’m invited. Thus, I’m reminded, again, about why it’s fun to go: To see a broader picture of the world and feel stimulated and renewed through conversations with people whose stories I otherwise would not have heard.

Nick Miller is President of Clarity Advantage based in Concord, MA. He assists banks and credit unions to generate more and more profitable relationships, faster, with business clients, their owners, and their employees through better sales strategies and execution. Additional articles on Clarity’s web site.