Black Sheep of the World Unite

Sometimes the best mentors are the ones everyone tells you to avoid.

Fresh out of the Air Force, I stumbled into financial services by accident. MetLife office, updating my address, casual conversation with the receptionist – job offer.

The first few months were brutal. Cold calling from a phone book, struggling with everyone else in what was a “throw spaghetti at the wall” hiring strategy.

Then I noticed the other guy, the guy with the perfect suit, walking INTO the office at 8 PM when everyone else was leaving. Had the nicest office. Nobody would tell me much about him except “stay away.”

I did the opposite.

Bob was gruff at first. After a few weeks of casual hellos and quick conversations, we grabbed lunch. We shared many common interests and background stories. We became quick friends.

Turns out the office manager exiled him for refusing to follow his system. Called him “not a team player.”

Here’s the kicker, Bob’s sales dwarfed the entire office combined.

Bob had found something that worked. But instead of learning from him, management shunned him.

Not wanting to put our new friendship at risk, I never asked Bob for help. He knew I needed it, though. Out of nowhere, he offered to mentor me. “While this office ignores me, you had the guts to do what I did and go it alone, plus we’re friends.”

That mentorship changed everything. Without Bob, I would’ve left financial services.

He taught me three crucial and simple things that have shaped my career:
↳ Don’t sell – offer to help people who need it
↳ Be comfortable being the black sheep
↳ Make sure clients know you’re the expert (and BE the expert)

The person everyone tells you to avoid might just be the one who changes your life.