13/08/2026
I met one of the happiest people in the world
There are talks, presentations, reports, meetings that you just get thrown into, like showing up somewhere without a clue what's going on. In these situations, it's really common for the speaker to feel completely lost, because they have no idea how to make the topic clear and enjoyable, especially if the audience isn't made up of experts.
That's usually when I ask: "What is it about this topic that you actually find exciting, appealing, or even lovable?" And a lot of the time, the answer I get is: "Nothing." 😜
Then my clients and I set off on a journey to dig up their stories. We keep digging until we find that one thing that gets them fired up, that brings them joy, and that somehow connects to what they're presenting.
Why does this matter so much? Because of connection.
Connection to:
- yourself,
- the topic,
- the audience.
So how does all this tie back to one of the happiest people in the world?
I met Des Byrne, an 85-year-old silversmith, at the Kilkenny Handwrought Silver workshop near Kilkenny Castle. The shop was already closing, but the moment he spotted us, he threw his arms wide open and waved us into his little shop, glittering with silver.
This slightly hunched, white-haired, thin craftsman had a kind of joy on his face I'd never seen before. His eyes were smiling the whole time he told us how, for 68 years, he's shown up at his workshop every single day, showing us a photo of his most memorable piece, a silver cup weighing over 8.5 kilos, one of the most important trophies in Irish Gaelic football, and showing us his tools.
If everyone felt this happy about what they do, the world would be a much more lovable place. And that starts even with something as simple as looking forward to your next speech or presentation with genuine excitement.
Find the story that lights you up. That's one of the keys to connecting with your topic and with your audience.
Because communication is, at its core, a connection born out of emotion, it happens when it's a joy to listen to you. That's how you become unforgettable, just like the silversmith Des Byrne became unforgettable in my life.
He captivated me so much that I didn't even take a selfie with him. But you know what the truly unforgettable people stay with you anyway. Their face stays with you forever.
Photo: Kilkenny Castle Yard / kilkennydesign.com