5 Qualities of Interesting People

2. Try new things. They’re brave enough to step out and try new things. “The very act of seeking new experiences also happens to be great for your mood, and people who are happy are magnetic and far more interesting to be around than downers,” Bradberry notes.

3. Embrace quirks. Don’t hide behind a persona that isn’t you. Others will find you more intriguing because of your quirks. For example, billionaire Warren Buffett has never fit the high-rolling lifestyle and prefers to continue to live in a modest home he purchased in 1958 for $31,500, despite his wealth since.

4. Be always learning. Curiosity about the unknown leads to constant learning, fueled by an ever-burning desire to discover the unknown. “Despite his intelligence and accomplishments, Albert Einstein kept a sense of wonder throughout his life that made him continue to ask questions about the world,” Bradberry writes. “Like Einstein, interesting people are in a constant state of wonder.”

5. They check their egos at the door. An egomaniac is never interesting. Egomaniacs are always posturing, always worrying about how they’ll come across. It’s exhausting, and it’s also dishonest. Take Oprah Winfrey—an interesting and interested person. In a speech to the Stanford University graduating class of 2008, she said, “The trick is to learn to check your ego at the door and start checking your gut instead. Every right decision I’ve made—every right decision I’ve ever made—has come from my gut. And every wrong decision I’ve ever made was a result of me not listening to the greater voice of myself.” Oprah’s advice is so important: listen to your values, goals, and ambitions, rather than worrying about what will make you look good.