Breakfast Leadership Show Travel & Career Growth Tips with Brandon Blewett, Author of How to Avoid Strangers!
Feb 17, 2025
25:27
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:
- Knowing when to admit a role, path, or environment isn’t the right fit—and finding the courage to move forward.
- Identifying and fostering mentoring relationships that unlock doors and inspire growth.
- How mentoring others can organically lead to opportunities.
- Discovering what truly makes you tick to chart a fulfilling career path.
For context, the book has been praised as:
- "Drawing on his experience as both a seasoned road warrior and M&A executive, Brandon C. Blewett offers a hilariously relatable take on the habits of fellow travelers, transforming the chaos of air travel into a masterclass on navigating personal and professional growth." - Gary Leff, View from the Wing founder and Travel Guru
- "A rollicking tale from the ultimate frequent flyer. Travel has never been this funny. Do yourself a favor: pack this book in your carry-on." - Bill Keenan, Author of Discussion Materials
- "How many times have you wanted to turn to the plane seatmate next to you, behind you or across the aisle and say exactly what's on the tip of your tongue? Brandon does it, through a combination of comedy and astute observation... I never thought a guy with a background in mergers and acquisitions could be so funny. I stand corrected." - Greg Schwem, Author of Text Me If You're Breathing, The Road to Success Goes Through the Salar Bar, and Turning Gut Punches into Punchlines
Website: brandonblewett.com
Book: https://amzn.to/4hyTewR
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.