I was waiting in line to get on an airplane about ten years
ago, and noticed the man behind me looked familiar.  Looking closer at him, I realized it was Walter Cronkite,
former anchor of CBS Evening News.

He realized that I knew it was him.  Before I could confirm with him, he was
asking what I did and me who I was. 
Cronkite was genuinely interested in me!  I told him I was a writer and producer, and he was delighted
to hear that I worked in his medium. 
Telling me that he loved telling stories and connecting with people, I
heartily agreed.

We chatted a few more minutes until we were on the plane and
said goodbye.  I was so impressed
that this legend of a man was genuinely interested in me, not caring at all
about his fame and notoriety.  He
was just a really friendly, caring person, totally immersed in the moment of
talking to another person and sharing a common experience.  No pretense, or grandiosity; no ego
hunger needing to be stroked; not even the need for acknowledgement of his name
or persona.  He didn’t wear any
disguises, like many other famous people do.  As a matter of fact, he was so non-shalant, that I don’t
think anyone else in the airport waiting area knew who he was.  Somewhat short, older, white-haired,
and acting like everyone else, he didn’t stand-out in the crowd.

I think Walter Cronkite’s honest interest and care for
others is what made him so successful. 
He didn’t seem to be engaged in his celebrity, much less need it for
himself.  He was completely
fascinated in people, and what they were doing, and liked to share his humanity
with others.

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