When I was a younger buck, I'd swallow my fears and introduce myself to the most important person in the room. There was little to gain except a handshake from Clintons and Gorbachevs, or sparking a lesson with the right question of perhaps lesser historical figures. The encounters back then were simply experiences.
Over time there has been more to contribute to and more to gain from real conversations with very busy people. As I became more busy, I realized how valuable the time of leaders is more valuable. Now, you always have the opportunity to learn more by listening from learned men. Making an impression does not come from sheer expression or superego, but an economy of words that comes from you.
A mistake I seem to make these days is to believe that chances are abundant. At a given event, a knowing glance or quick hello instead of conversation, thinking that later in the event there will be chance and time. But the second chance doesn't come when you are past impression, or not. When you watch a learned man or knowing woman be social, recognize the richness of first conversation. Valuing chance makes time more valuable.
From the plane to Tokyo, where I have lots of time.
