You never know who’s next to you

This is Bob’s new, much extended library - see below!

(By Andrew Thorp - December 2024)

I’m one of those people who reinvented themselves, in mid-life. After 22 years in the golf & leisure industry, I moved into the field of communication skills training and the catalyst for change was a series of calamities (personal and work) around 2007/8. 

It wasn’t an easy transition, but I had a few lucky breaks along the way. 

Some time before my troubles began, I was in waiting in line to register at the front desk for a business show at what was then G-Mex, one of the main exhibition venues in Manchester. 

There was a guy behind me (Bob), younger than me, and we started chatting and got on well. We swapped business cards and promised to stay in touch. 

Then, things started to unravel a bit in my life (not Bob’s fault, I hasten to add!) and not long after I get a phone call – and it’s him. In his typically upbeat manner, it was, “Oh hi Andy, just thought I’d check in. How are things?” 

“Not great, actually,” and I went on to explain what was going on.  

He suggested meeting for a beer in Manchester and I explained I was being forced to leave my rented apartment. Then he said, “I’ve got a spare room in my house in Bolton. You can stay there for a while if that helps.” 

I took him up on the offer and stayed for a few months. What I didn’t realise about Bob (and this is probably why we got on well at that business show) is that he was really into personal development and when I walked into his living room I was astounded by his book collection. He must have had around 500 business and self-improvement books in his shelves (now well over 1200 I believe).

Because I didn’t have much work at that point, I started reading the likes of Seth Godin (Purple Cow), Stephen Covey (7 Habits) and Malcolm Gladwell (Tipping Point). I was introduced to TED talks and decided I was going to do one before I reached 50. And, gradually, the ideas, stories and techniques that resonated most with me were the foundation for my successful reinvention. 

None of that would have happened if I hadn’t chatted to Bob in that queue. I see so many people now cocooned in their private bubble, staring at their CAD (Conversation Avoidance Device) instead of connecting with their immediate environment.  

You never know who might be in the room next to you!