01/07/2026
To me, going around places has always been a way of understanding people. And I genuinely believe that’s one of the most underrated skills today. Whether it’s business, leadership, or any profession, it eventually comes down to understanding people.
Recently, I was at a community café when I heard someone from behind say, “Sir, maine aapko dekha hai.” As always, I smiled and thanked him. His name was Sudeep, and he worked there.
A little later, he came to take my order. Gathering all his courage, he said, “Sir, I have a question.” He paused, smiled nervously, and then said, “You order first. I’ll ask you later.”
The entire time, I kept wondering what he wanted to ask.
After a while, he returned and finally said, “Sir, I have a stammering problem. Just to overcome it, I joined this café because it forces me to talk to people. I’ve also read many books. Could you recommend a few more?”
Honestly, I didn’t have an answer.
I could have searched online in five minutes and suggested a few titles. But that would’ve been a superficial response to a genuine problem. I didn’t want to break his trust with an answer I wasn’t confident about.
Instead, I made a promise to myself. I’ll bring the best expert in the country on Supertalks to address Sudeep’s problem, not just for him but for thousands of others silently dealing with the same challenge.
Before leaving, I met Sudeep again, thanked him for trusting me, and promised him that this conversation wouldn’t end at the café.
This is exactly what happens when you step outside the digital world of convenience. You discover problems that algorithms never show you.
If you genuinely want to understand people, you have to spend time with them before trying to advise them.
That’s why I love long form conversations. Not because podcasts are trending, but because they reflect who I am. They allow me to listen before I speak, understand before I conclude, and solve problems that actually exist, not just the ones that perform well online.
