Brandon Blewett, author of the best-seller How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes, just released his witty and insightful take on navigating both literal and professional journeys. While the book hilariously examines the “6 Habits of Highly Annoying Travelers,” it also draws compelling parallels to the workplace—outlining how dealing with delays, turbulence, and pivots helped shape his career.
Key talking points Brandon discusses:
For context, the book has been praised as:
Website: brandonblewett.com
Book: https://amzn.to/4hyTewR
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncblewett/
X: https://x.com/brandonintheair
Travel Experiences and Professional Development
Michael and Brandon had a conversation about their experiences with travel and how it relates to their professional and personal lives. Brandon, the author of “How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes,” shared his background in frequent travel and his career in consulting and mergers and acquisitions. Michael, who has also traveled extensively, discussed his observations of people’s interactions in airports and how these experiences can be compared to the challenges faced in daily life and career. They both agreed that adaptability and flexibility are essential in both travel and professional development. The conversation ended with Michael suggesting that sometimes, one needs to look within to navigate through challenges.
Reassessing Career Choices for Fulfillment
Michael and Brandon discussed the importance of self-reflection and reassessing one’s career choices. Brandon shared his experience of pivoting from tax law to management consulting, realizing that his initial career choice wasn’t the best fit for his skill set. Michael, a former accountant, echoed Brandon’s sentiments, expressing relief at leaving his accounting career behind. They both agreed that reassessing one’s career path is crucial for personal growth and fulfillment.
Networking and Mentoring in Careers
Michael and Brandon discussed the importance of networking and mentoring in their careers. Brandon shared his experience of not attending a target school for graduate studies and how he relied on mentoring relationships to succeed. He mentioned his involvement in the Ole Miss Mba Mentoring program and how it helped his mentees achieve significant career milestones. Brandon also highlighted the potential for mentoring relationships to come full circle, with mentees potentially offering opportunities in the future. Michael shared his own experience of being a mentor through a program at Walsh College, emphasizing the value of such relationships.
Mentoring and Human Aspect Consideration
Michael shared his experience of mentoring a student, Brandon, who was going through a challenging time due to his wife’s medical school in Chicago. Michael suggested that Brandon transfer to a business school in Chicago to save on rent and be closer to his wife. Brandon eventually followed this advice and graduated. Michael emphasized the importance of considering the human aspect in mentoring, beyond just career goals. He also mentioned that he didn’t receive an invitation to continue mentoring Brandon, but he could still mentor in other areas.
Student Athlete Experience and Football
Brandon shared his experience as a student athlete at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he attended every home football game and participated in the school’s Life after Ball program. He found it rewarding to help student athletes prepare for their future careers, whether in Finance or consulting. He also expressed his excitement about SMU’s successful football season, which he believes will attract more talented players. Michael agreed, noting that the ease of transferring in college football now aligns with the real world, where taking a year off before starting a new job is not necessary.
Leadership, Discipline, and Surrounding Smart People
Brandon and Michael discussed the importance of discipline, practice, and competition in achieving success. They highlighted the example of Shaquille O’Neal, who despite being a former athlete, has become a successful businessman. They emphasized the need for leaders to surround themselves with smart and honest people who can provide feedback, even when it’s not wanted. They also touched on the importance of being receptive to feedback and advice from others, such as gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants, to navigate challenges like flight delays or cancellations. The conversation concluded with the idea that leaders should strive to be the best in their field and that they deserve the best in the world.
Continuous Learning and Personal Growth
Brandon and Michael discussed the importance of continuous learning and growth, with Michael emphasizing the value of small daily improvements. They also talked about the potential for personal and professional growth, with Michael suggesting that even a 1% improvement each day could lead to significant progress over time.
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